Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 10/07/2008
Run Time: 83:27
Black Sabbath's first attempt at an official live album was the straw that broke the camel's back; or rather, it split the band's second lineup right down the middle. Band tensions were already at an all-time high, but when founding members
Tony Iommi and
Geezer Butler accused singer
Ronnie James Dio of sneaking into the studio to raise the volume on his vocals, the pint-sized warbler decided it was time to pursue a solo career, taking drummer
Vinny Appice with him. Accusations aside, 1982's
Live Evil benefits from a clear, "in your face" sound, and despite relying heavily on
Dio-era material, the album effectively documents
Black Sabbath's tours in the early '80s.
Dio certainly has the vocal chops (if not the same innocent charm) to handle the
Ozzy Osbourne classics, but his incessant banter between (and during) songs verges on unbearable. In fact, the album's only truly electrifying moments arrive with
"E5150" introducing a vicious version of
"Neon Knights," and the extended
"Heaven and Hell"/
"Sign of the Southern Cross" suite.
~Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide
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