To coincide with Dio and Sabbath related activity, this 1992 classic gets the 2 disc treatment and welcome it is too.

This album saw the return of bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ronnie Dio, also with Vinnie Appice replacing Cozy Powell who had been immobilised in a horse riding accident.

Dehumanizer saw the band chart well and is considered one of the band's heaviest albums. Opener 'Computer God' sees the band at their best, not just a great track but a magnificent solo from guitarist Iommi too. 'After All The Dead' is a doom laden number, while 'TV Crimes' (also a single) is uptempo, riff driven, catchy, a genuine classic.

'Letters From Earth' and 'Master Of Insanity' (the latter a re-rerecording of an unreleased Geezer Butler Band track) are both doomy and strong, while 'Time Machine' nods back to the Born Again era.

The 10 track original album also includes the classic 'I', a track played regularly by Heaven & Hell.

Overall an excellent album, not quite reaching the heights of Heaven And Hell, but it's a lot heavier than that period.

The bonus disc features 3 bonus studio cuts, and 5 live cuts from Florida, 1992, including TV Crimes, Die Young and Neon Knights. Although these live tracks are excellent, this bonus disc is where we feel a little short changed. A full live show perhaps? Or even the original demos featuring Cozy Powell? More could have been done here.

That said, there's enough here to plug a gap or two in the collection.

****

Review by Joe Geesin

www.joegeesin.com