Can an Ozzy-fronted Black Sabbath make an album as good as "The Devil You Know"?

I'm going to pose a question to all of you metalheads. Do you think that Ozzy, if he were to reunite with the other members of Black Sabbath, would be able to put out anything close to the excellent Heaven and Hell release, The Devil You Know?

It almost seems like blasphemy for me to even ask this, after the death of the legend that is Ronnie James Dio. However, it's likely going to happen, assuming Ozzy makes it to the recording sessions (which hopefully he will, don't get me wrong).

While I think another Black Sabbath reunion could be cool, I don't know if a new album with Ozzy's 'processed' vocal styling of today, would go over as well. Maybe I'm just biased towards Dio though...

Below are examples of each band's latest work. And feel free to voice your opinion and leave a comment.

Heaven and Hell - "Fear"


Ozzy Osbourne - "Diggin' Me Down"

Pray to the Metal Gods for Ronnie James Dio!

Today, it was announced that metal god Ronnie James Dio has been diagnosed with stomach cancer (thankfully it is in its early stages).

No matter what kind of metal you are into, I think we can all agree that this man has done more for heavy metal than just about any other. At age 67, his pipes are still in top shape, and he never puts on a bad show.

Send your prayers to the metal gods that Dio recovers from this terrible disease. It's going to be a tough fight, but I think he can pull through and maybe even show us how to rock once more!

Ozzy Sues Tony Iommi!

Ozzy Osbourne brought a lawsuit against Tony Iommi stating that he illegally claimed sole ownership of the Black Sabbath name.

The lawsuit is asking that Iommi hand over fifty-percent interest of the Black Sabbath name to Ozzy, also giving up some of his profits that resulted from use of the name after Ozzy left the band.

Ozzy's legal team argues that since Ozzy was a defining part of the band's sound, he has a right to a part of the band's name and profits.

I could maybe understand Ozzy bringing this lawsuit in the 80's after leaving Black Sabbath, but he has allowed Iommi to use the name for so long since then that it seems this case is no longer relevant. I just don't see there being anyway he can win this, but I guess money talks in our legal system.

Plus, Iommi is now recording with Dio under the Heaven and Hell moniker. They are no longer using the Black Sabbath name to sell records. Bad timing on Ozzy's part in my book.

Does Osbourne really need anymore money??? I think not! Maybe Sharon needs some new plastic surgery or something.

For the official news story check out the New York Post article.

Check out a statement from Ozzy here.

Ozzy-era Black Sabbath is legendary I will admit that:



However, Iommi and the rest of the gang released plenty of good stuff after Ozzy left.

Exhibit A: Ian Gillian-era clip



Exhibit B: Dio-era clip



Exhibit C: Tony Martin-era clip



CASE CLOSED

UPDATE: To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Sabbath's "Headless Cross", Tony Martin will be doing a full tour across the United States. Ozzy is already filing court papers. You can't have three Sabbaths!

Black Sabbath To Tour With Both Dio and Ozzy!

Ok, so the headline lies, but wouldn't it be cool to see happen? Although I think at this point in the game Ronnie James Dio would probably steal the show from Ozzy since he still sounds like he used to and can move around a little better.

Either way, excellent mash-up of two live versions of Black Sabbath- War Pigs.



Here's to New Heaven and Hell in 2009 and maybe new Ozzy soon as well?

(thanks to metalsucks.net for discovering this one!)

Oh and just for good measure here is the new Saxon video for the song Live to Rock off of 2009's Into the Labyrinth in all of its cheesy goodness.