Black Sabbath - Dehumanizer

After years of generally embarrassing himself and bringing Black Sabbath into league with Spinal Tap, Tony Iommi realised it was time to get back the people that could help him make a respectable album under the Sabbath moniker. Presumably at the time a call went out to Ozzy who told him where to stick it!! So enter Ronnie Dio. Now I for one was more pleased with this choice as I feel that in the early 80's Dio helped make Sabbath an even more exciting prospect. Along with Dio returned Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice recreating the 'Mob Rules' line up. The result is a superb album that recalls the glory days of 'Heaven & Hell' while updating the sound and structures to make an album viable for audiences of the 90's [as it was]. 'Dehumanizer' was probably Sabbath's most important record in their long and chequered careers. Both Dio and Sabbath were suffering from dwindling album sales and it could be said the Dio and Sabbath needed each other. Which leads us to the inevitable question: is it any good? Fortunately for all concerned the answer is yes. As a set of songs 'Dehumanizer' is undeniably the strongest body of work Sabbath have written since 'Heaven & Hell'; as a vocal performance it is Dio's finest since 'Holy Diver'. Consequently Sabbath are actually threatening once more!

1. COMPUTER GOD [6.15]
A savage drum pattern is laid down by Appice before Iommi unleashes a prime riff. This is one powerful opener, Dio's vocals sound mean and ready for action. The tempo is relatively mid paced but the power is undeniable. 'Waiting for the revolution, New Clear Vision - Genocide'. 'There's another side to heaven, this way to technical paradise, Find it on the other side when the walls fall down'. A mellow bridge heralds the calm before the storm and this is what Sabbath excel at, you know when the band kicks back in it will be powerful but Dio makes it worth waiting for. The tempo picks up for the solo which see's Tony Iommi wringing the neck of his axe as if in self defence. The outro solo see's Iommi's patented sound coming in to play once again and the man sounds positively revitalised. What an opener!!
2. AFTER ALL [5.40]
The opening riff recreates the graveyard riff of 'Black Sabbath. The tempo is super slow but Dio manages to make it sound anything other than dull. Counter riffs enter here and there and the bridge see's some welcome melody. The weakest track on the album but that bridge makes it still sound pretty awesome.
3. TV CRIMES [4.01]
A break neck rocker that sees Dio again sounding very threatening -'One day in the life of the lonely, another day on the roundabout. What do they need, somebody to love'. The lyrics generally refer to preachers on TV who guarantee a life of salvation for your hard earned cash. The track itself has a scalding fury that echoes 'Neon Knights', again Iommi's sound is HUGE.
4. LETTERS FROM EARTH [4.17]
Another slow paced riff that could wake the dead. The track takes an interesting twist for the verse which sees Dio throwing his magic all over the track, this is one very heavy track. The bridge again is excellent 'Come on its another game, but you gotta play on cause they say its pretend. Ask them why they say you'll never never die, come on- the game is called the end'. Another track with a irresistible blend of doom and menace.
5. MASTER OF INSANITY [5.54]
The intro of the track sees some sound effects that recall 'E5150' before a sprawling bass line that heralds the arrival of another prime riff. The band drives the rhythm on more before the verse which turns into a Blackmore-esque riff [think 'Lady Of The Lake'] over which Ronnie lays down more classic vocal histrionics, 'Killing rain falling down from the sky, crying with nightmare tears'. Ronnie vocal play with the melody is particularly impressive. The pre-chorus is a fine way to enter the slight let down of the main chorus. The solo sees a more melodic breakdown similar to that on 'Die Young', the track ends with a ride out comprising the chorus and intro bass line.
6. TIME MACHINE [4.15]
This track was released a few months before this album was released on the 'Waynes World' soundtrack, however, the band decided to re-record it for 'Dehumanizer. The tempo is slightly slower and the darker production makes the track sound more menacing. While not one of the highlights on the album 'Time Machine' is an able track that Dio and Sabbath seem so reliable at creating.
7. SINS OF THE FATHER [4.46]
The intro sees a Beatles-esque feel coming into play, the sound is still undeniably Sabbath but the slight psychedelic feel certainly grabs your attention. The 2nd verse sees more typical Sabbath patterns coming to the fore and Dio again sounds great 'One more crucifixion, one more cross to bear, you're a hole in a photograph. Go on lose it in the city, the city can feel no shame. See the world with electric eyes'. The tempo picks up more and things really start to cook. Iommi throws more of those devilish hooks around the place and his sound is superb - edgy and quirky, he means business!!.
8. TOO LATE [6.55]
A ballad?? Yes it is kinda and its a bit of a mini-epic, the song sees superb use of light and shade, the intro is like a cross of 'Die Young' and 'The Sign Of The Southern Cross'. Dio sounds very soulful before the chorus kicks in where he sounds possessed!! The track after the 2nd chorus takes a surprise turn into a melodic metal motif that adds something to the track outside the expected. This track is certainly one of the main highlights - Iommi's HUGE guitar, Butler's monstrous bass and Dio's pivotal vocals really do rediscover the magic of the past. The solo is something else and is up their with Iommi's finest. A triumphant track to say the least.
9. I [5.13]
'I' brings back the doom and menace in fine style. The riff powers the track along in a fine horrid majesty, this riff must surely be up their with 'War Pigs', 'Mob Rules' etc. Not a lot can be said except the power of this song is so addictive its unholy.
10. BURIED ALIVE [4.50]
A riff that recalls 'Zero The Hero' off the 'Born Again' album, crushingly heavy!! Dio again sounds so powerful its hard to believe this is the same guy that sung 'Catch The Rainbow' and other Rainbow mellow classics. 'Join the congregation, everybody's got to get in line and we never justify, the choir sings the never ending lie'. There are several different riffs and all are outstanding. The pre-chorus and chorus are so good its unreal. Iommi's soloing is superb throughout the track with loads of 6 string tricks being thrown all over the place. A fine way to end the disc.