Black Sabbath – Live Evil, super deluxe

9/10

The story of Black Sabbath’s “Live Evil” album (1982) is well-known. How different group members are rumoured of having pushed the faders of their own instruments/voices to such an extent, that the finished product sounds much less than satisfying. Until now, that a great-sounding remix has finally and thankfully seen the dark of day.

This is Black Sabbath during their second coming. Fronted by ex-Rainbow singer Ronnie James Dio, some would argue that this is THE peak of the heavy metal band’s illustrous career. It’s not least fascinating to hear how suitable Ronnie’s powerful voice is for Ozzy Osbourne-era numbers such as “N.I.B.” or “Black Sabbath”. In fact, Ronnie was no rookie when it came to singing those older Black Sabbath tunes: at least “War pigs” used to get played by Ronnie’s band Elf back in the day. Even better is the highly dramatic deliverance of songs from his own part of the discography. Hear how Ronnie sings the daylights out of “Children of the sea”, “Neon knights” or “Voodoo”. What an enormous singer he was.

Other highlights include “Heaven and hell”, featuring a great and long improvised solo from master Tony Iommi, as well as “The sign of the southern cross” which prooves what a playful and brilliant bassist Geezer Butler is. The band is rounded up by powerhouse drummer Vinny Appice and the under-appreciated keyboardist Geoff Nicholls.

The discs sound very fine. Heavy, powerful and crystal-clear all the same. “Live Evil” has always been a masterful live offering, music-wise; now it’s being released in full glory. Even the audience sounds alive, compared to the original album, on which it sounded ten miles distant.

At the end, there’s a book telling the story of the album, packed with quotes from the band itself, and finally a tour programme replica. All in all a very nice package, although the included remaster of the original record is a bit superfluous, when we’re being served the superior new remix.

Artist: Black Sabbath
Album name: Live Evil, super deluxe
Score: 9/10
Label: BMG/Warner
Release date: 2 June 2023
Favourite songs: Children of the sea, Heaven and hell