BLACK SABBATH – PARANOID – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads! Today we take a trip back to 1970 to the anniversary of the second album by Black Sabbath called “Paranoid” released 50 years ago on September 18, 1970.

The album which was released 7 months after their debut album, was their only album to hit the UK music charts, until the release of “13” in 2013. Recorded at Regent Sound Studios and Island Studios with producer Rodger Bain, the title track was a last minute addition that was written to complete the album. The band released the song as their first single and it has become one of the most classic songs in heavy metal history.

The band had originally planned to name the album “War Pigs” after the classic song but it was rumored that the record label was afraid of backlash as the Vietnam War was going on during that time. Ozzy Osbourne has debunked this theory in his book “I Am Ozzy” stating that it was changed because “Paranoid” was the first single and the record company felt the album would sell better.

In 2017, after completing their “The End’ tour, the members of Black Sabbath announced that they were officially disbanding. Guitarist Tony Iommi however, has not completely shut the door on the band, noting that he’d be open to one-off shows. Ozzy has also expressed interest in reuniting with the band for a performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in their hometown of Birmingham.

Check out the videos below from the classic album:

IRON MAN

PARANOID

Also you can check out the classic album here:

PARANOID (ALBUM)

RONNIE JAMES DIO – A TRIBUTE – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads! Hope you are all having a great week and staying safe. Today we’re going to remember the life and career of Ronnie James Dio who passed away on May 16, 2010 from stomach cancer.

Ronald Padavona began his music career in 1957 with a band called The Vegas Kings playing bass. Eventually, he began singing and changed the band name, as well as his name to Ronnie Dio after mobster Johnny Dio. In 1967, after his previous band disbanded, Ronnie formed Electric Elves, later shortened to Elf and recorded three studio albums while securing the opening act slot with Deep Purple. Ronnie caught the ear of Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and recruited Ronnie for his new band Rainbow after splitting with Deep Purple. Rainbow released their debut album in 1975 called “Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow.” However after releasing two more albums as well as a live album, Dio and Blackmore split due to creative differences, as Blackmore was looking to take Rainbow in a more commercial direction. In 1979, Ronnie replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath and the band subsequently released “Heaven and Hell” and “Mob Rules” which put Sabbath back on the map. During the mixing of “Live Evil,” tensions erupted causing Dio to quit and form his own band, Dio. The band released their debut album “Holy Diver” in 1983. Dio went on to subsequently release 10 albums and although members changed over the years, Ronnie was always touring and recording.

In 2006, Ronnie joined Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice for the “Heaven and Hell tour” and had been touring with Heaven and Hell up until it was announced that he had cancer in 2009. Heaven and Hell canceled their upcoming summer tour and Ronnie fought to get back to what he loved, however, his health deteriorated and he passed away on May 16, 2010 at 7:45AM. His wife, Wendy Dio formed  The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, a non-profit charitable fund dedicated to supporting cancer prevention research, raise awareness and educate the public about early detection in Ronnie’s honor.

Rest In Peace Ronnie!

Check out some of Ronnie’s best work during his long career:

NEON NIGHTS

LAST IN LINE

HEAVEN AND HELL

HOLY DIVER

MAN ON THE SILVER MOUNTAIN

BLACK SABBATH – BLACK SABBATH – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads. Hope you all had a great week. This week marks the 50th anniversary of the debut self-titled album by Black Sabbath, released on February 13, 1970. The title track, Black Sabbath is also considered by many as the first doom metal song.

Black Sabbath, who got their name for the 1963 horror movie “Black Sabbath” starring Boris Karloff, wrote the song in 1969 and released it as a single the following year. Inspired by bassist Geezer Butler’s obsession with the occult at the time, Ozzy had given Butler a black occult book written in Latin which included pictures of Satan. Geezer, who had several occult items in his home, placed the book on a shelf. He has stated that he had fallen asleep and woke up and saw a figure by the edge of his bed that vanished right before him. He then went to look on the shelf where he had left the book and it was gone. When he told Ozzy what had happened Ozzy wrote the lyrics based on Butler’s experience starting the song off with the infamous lines “What is this that stands before me? Figure in black which points at me.”

The song which is one of their most popular songs has also been cited by critics that it contains one of the most definitive heavy metal riffs of all time.

CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL VIDEO FOR “BLACK SABBATH”

 

BLACK SABBATH – BLACK SABBATH – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads. Hope you all had a great week. To continue our Halloween themed month, today we are going to take a long journey back to 1970 for the debut self-titled album and title track by Black Sabbath, which is also considered by many as the first doom metal song.

Black Sabbath, who got their name for the 1963 horror movie “Black Sabbath” starring Boris Karloof, wrote the song in 1969 and released as a single the following year. Inspired by bassist Geezer Butler’s obsession with the occult at the time, Ozzy had given Butler a black occult book written in Latin which included pictures of Satan. Geezer, who had several occult items in his home, placed the book on a shelf. He has stated that he had fallen asleep and woke up and saw a figure by the edge of his bed that vanished right before him. He then went to look on the shelf where he had left the book and it was gone. When he told Ozzy what had happened Ozzy wrote the lyrics based on Butler’s experience starting the song off with the infamous lines “What is this that stands before me? Figure in black which points at me.”

The song which is one of their most popular songs has also been cited by critics that it contains one of the most definitive heavy metal riffs of all time.

CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL VIDEO FOR “BLACK SABBATH”

 

BLACK SABBATH – PARANOID – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads! Today we take a trip back to 1970 to the anniversary of the second album by Black Sabbath called “Paranoid” released 49 years ago this past week (September 18, 1970).

The album which was released 7 months after their debut album, was their only album to hit the UK music charts, until the release of “13” in 2013. Recorded at Regent Sound Studios and Island Studios with producer Rodger Bain, the title track was a last minute addition that was written to complete the album. The band released the song as their first single and it has become one of the most classic songs in heavy metal history.

The band had originally planned to name the album “War Pigs” after the classic song but it was rumored that the record label was afraid of backlash as the Vietnam War was going on during that time. Ozzy Osbourne has debunked this theory in his book “I Am Ozzy” stating that it was changed because “Paranoid” was the first single and the record company felt the album would sell better.

In 2017, after completing their “The End’ tour, the members of Black Sabbath announced that they were officially disbanding. Guitarist Tony Iommi however, has not completely shut the door on the band, noting that he’d be open to one-off shows. Ozzy has also expressed interest in reuniting with the band for a performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in their hometown of Birmingham.

Check out the videos below from the classic album:

IRON MAN

PARANOID

Also you can check out the classic album here:

PARANOID (ALBUM)

 

 

RONNIE JAMES DIO – A TRIBUTE – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads! Hope you are having a great week after the long holiday weekend. Today we’re going to remember the life and career of Ronnie James Dio who would have been 77 this past Wednesday, July 10th.

Ronald Padavona began his music career in 1957 with a band called The Vegas Kings playing bass. Eventually, he began singing and changed the band name, as well as his name to Ronnie Dio after mobster Johnny Dio. In 1967, after his previous band disbanded, Ronnie formed Electric Elves, later shortened to Elf and recorded three studio albums while securing the opening act slot with Deep Purple. Ronnie caught the ear of Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and recruited Ronnie for his new band Rainbow after splitting with Deep Purple. Rainbow released their debut album in 1975 called “Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow.” However after releasing two more albums as well as a live album, Dio and Blackmore split due to creative differences, as Blackmore was looking to take Rainbow in a more commercial direction. In 1979, Ronnie replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath and the band subsequently released “Heaven and Hell” and “Mob Rules” which put Sabbath back on the map. During the mixing of “Live Evil,” tensions erupted causing Dio to quit and form his own band, Dio. The band released their debut album “Holy Diver” in 1983. Dio went on to subsequently release 10 albums and although members changed over the years, Ronnie was always touring and recording.

In 2006, Ronnie joined Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice for the “Heaven and Hell tour” and had been touring with Heaven and Hell up until it was announced that he had cancer in 2009. Heaven and Hell cancelled their upcoming summer tour and Ronnie fought to get back to what he loved, however his health deteriorated and he passed away on May 16, 2010 at 7:45AM. His wife, Wendy Dio formed  The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, a non-profit charitable fund dedicated to support cancer prevention research, raise awareness and educate the public about early detection in Ronnie’s honor.

Rest In Peace Ronnie!

Check out some of Ronnie’s best work during his long career:

NEON NIGHTS

LAST IN LINE

HEAVEN AND HELL

HOLY DIVER

MAN ON THE SILVER MOUNTAIN

RONNIE JAMES DIO – A TRIBUTE – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads! Hope you had a great week and a great holiday weekend. Today we’re going to remember the life and career of Ronnie James Dio who passed away in 2010 from cancer.

Ronald Padavona began his music career in 1957 with a band called The Vegas Kings playing bass. Eventually, he began singing and changed the band name, as well as his name to Ronnie Dio after mobster Johnny Dio. In 1967, after his previous band disbanded, Ronnie formed Electric Elves, later shortened to Elf and recorded three studio albums while securing the opening act slot with Deep Purple. Ronnie caught the ear of Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and recruited Ronnie for his new band Rainbow after splitting with Deep Purple. Rainbow released their debut album in 1975 called “Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow.” However after releasing two more albums as well as a live album, Dio and Blackmore split due to creative differences, as Blackmore was looking to take Rainbow in a more commercial direction. In 1979, Ronnie replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath and the band subsequently released “Heaven and Hell” and “Mob Rules” which put Sabbath back on the map. During the mixing of “Live Evil,” tensions erupted causing Dio to quit and form his own band, Dio. The band released their debut album “Holy Diver” in 1983. Dio went on to subsequently release 10 albums and although members changed over the years, Ronnie was always touring and recording.

In 2006, Ronnie joined Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice for the “Heaven and Hell tour” and had been touring with Heaven and Hell up until it was announced that he had cancer in 2009. Heaven and Hell cancelled their upcoming summer tour and Ronnie fought to get back to what he loved, however his health deteriorated and he passed away on May 16, 2010 at 7:45AM. His wife, Wendy Dio formed  The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, a non-profit charitable fund dedicated to support cancer prevention research, raise awareness and educate the public about early detection in Ronnie’s honor.

Rest In Peace Ronnie!

Check out some of Ronnie’s best work during his long career:

NEON NIGHTS

LAST IN LINE

HEAVEN AND HELL

HOLY DIVER

MAN ON THE SILVER MOUNTAIN

WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE METAL BAND?

Hey Metalheads! Happy Wednesday! Hope you’re having a great week so far. This month we’re going to continue with your favorite metal band. I want to hear from you guys about your favorites. Each week I’ll post two bands to choose from and I”ll also reveal my favorites as well.

Thanks to everyone who voted on their favorite. Last week it was Black Sabbath vs. Alice Cooper My choice:

BLACK SABBATH

This week we have:

ANGRA

VS.

SEPULTURA

I look forward to reading your responses and let me know in the comments below who your favorite is and which lineup you like best. Also don’t forget to visit us The Metal Wire on Facebook and on Instagram (the_metal_wire). Have a METAL week! Horns up!

 

WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE METAL BAND?

Hey Metalheads! Happy Wednesday! Hope you’re having a great week so far. This month we’re going to continue with your favorite metal band. I want to hear from you guys about your favorites. Each week I’ll post two bands to choose from and I”ll also reveal my favorites as well.

Thanks to everyone who voted on their favorite. Last week it was Testament vs. Exodus My choice:

TESTAMENT

 

This week we have:

 

BLACK SABBATH

VS.

ALICE COOPER

I look forward to reading your responses. Let me know in the comments below and don’t forget to visit us The Metal Wire on Facebook and on Instagram (the_metal_wire). Have a METAL week! Horns up!

 

DIO – HOLY DIVER – METAL REWIND

L to R: Vinny Appice, Ronnie James Dio, Vivian Campbell and Jimmy Bain

Today we take a trip back to 1983 to the debut album by the band named after one of the most influential singers in metal, Dio and the album, Holy Diver.

Dio formed after Ronnie James Dio and legendary drummer Vinny Appice left Black Sabbath to form a new band. Ronnie, who was a fan of Sir Walter Scott and science fiction wrote songs that were fantasy tales. In particular, the songs “Rainbow in the Dark” and “Holy Diver” showcase the theme of good vs. evil to raise questions about the deceit in romance and religion.

While the cover art, which features Dio’s band mascot Murray, was deemed to be controversial by critics suggesting that it appears to be a devil killing a cleric, Ronnie clarified that it could be a priest killing a devil and that you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover. Dio’s logo had also been interpreted as spelling the word “die” or “evil” when turned upside down. Dio also said this was coincidental. The artwork for the cover was done by artist Randy Berrett.

The album reached #56 on the 1983 Billboard 200 chart and the track “Holy Diver” reached #40 on the Mainstream Rocks USA chart while “Rainbow in the Dark” charted at #14. The lineup for Holy Diver includes: Ronnie James Dio – vocals, Vivian Campbell – guitar, Jimmy Bain – bass and Vinny Appice – drums.

Ronnie’s death in 2010 has left a void in the metal world, however his voice lives on forever through his music. Vivian Campbell, who parted ways with Dio in 1986, went on to join a number of different bands including Whitesnake, before settling in Def Leppard in 1992.  Vinny Appice has been involved in many different musical endeavors over the years and was inducted into the Hall of Heavy Metal History in 2017. Jimmy Bain sadly passed away in 2016 from lung cancer