The artist formerly known as Black Sabbath featuring Dio, Heaven And Hell are Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinnie Appice. And while Ozzy shakes and trembles, releasing a decidedly average new album, this lot are producing some very fine material, even if it retro feeling live set.

Proof that this lot can play, and tightly too; Dio can still hit those notes, and second track "The Mob Rules" riffmaster Iommi proves he can intricately solo too.

And for trivia fans, "The Mob Rules" was originally recorded for the Heavy Metal soundtrack, the album version is a different / later mix.

"Children Of The Sea", the first track the Dio era Sabbath wrote, shows the moodier edge and Iommi's riffs are as solid ever.

Over two stints, Sabbath with Dio recorded 3 albums; 'Heaven And Hell', 'Mob Rules' and 'Dehumaniser'; and more recently three new tracks. So more than enough material for a full live set. Even if Dehumaniser was one of Sabbath's most average outings, the other two stand among the band's best or any era. Even Ozzy fans can't deny the title track of each being a genuine classic.

And treating this new band as its own entity, there's no reliance on other Sabbath material. Thank god (or the devil?) for that.

Butler's bass stands out on "Lady Evil". Other tracks of note include "The Sign Of The Southern Cross", "Voodoo", "Computer God" and "Falling Off The Edge Of The World". "Die Young" and "Neon Nights" just rock, and no set would be complete without "Heaven And Hell".

This isn't all doom and gloom, the metal is first class.

Over the 2CD you get the complete set; the DVD adds several video bonuses too.

Essential!

****

Review by Joe Geesin