Heaven and Hell - LiveRadio City Music Hall2007 (SPV/Riot) - CD &DVD

Tue 5th Feb, 2008 in Music Reviews

CD
This is the title of both the CD and the DVD releases by the Dio-era Black Sabbath. Containing the entirety of a live set performed last year, the CD is superbly mixed and produced. On listening you get the best of the recorded and the live experience: the rawness highlighted by just enough of the hollow concert hall sound, but polished by a beautiful production. This is pretty rare for live discs, but it is the mark of one that the band and the production team have taken a lot of care over. It also compensates in some respects for not getting to last year’s shows.

Some of the tracks on the recording include E5150/After All (The Dead), Falling off the Edge of the World, The Sign of the Southern Cross, and others. However, unlike many live experience recordings, this one includes Dio’s effortless interaction with the audience, complete with all comments, jokes, and introductory remarks. Interestingly, it also includes Dio’s comments about the recording of the DVD (also released on SPV/Riot) that goes by the same name.

DVD
The DVD production is equally brilliant, and it contains the exact same live set as on the CD. I haven’t had the opportunity to play both at once (yet!) but I will. The extras on the DVD are worth as much again as is the CD, as they include the Heaven and Hell Road Movie, along with two or three other little gems.

Both of these releases are absolute necessities for fans of Dio-era Black Sabbath, all of whom would no doubt adore the chance to relive the live experience. Both releases are out now on SPV/Riot.