Black Sabbath - Mob Rules
CLASSICS 
Hiruma Cyrus
Whenever a famous musician, owner of a charisma, a band decides to leave, it is certain that a great controversy going to happen. After all, who will be his replacement? Is there someone who can take his place?
Mick Jagger leaving the Rolling Stones? Bono out of U2? Metallica James Hetfield leave?
A current example is the return of the Queen with singer Paul Rodgers in place of Freddie Mercury. I mentioned the subject in the CD review The Cosmos Rocks .
Black Sabbath was a pioneer in the foundation of hard rock style, an example for generations of musicians. The themes of the songs evoke terror, fear and suspense to express a style that made school within the movement. The illustrations on the covers of albums and concerts of the scenarios followed the same concept.
In 1979, vocalist Ozzy Osbourne announced his resignation for personal differences with group members. Who would be able to replace a singer with a very personal identity, the representation of the band?
The choice could not be bettered. Ronnie James Dio, a veteran of the rock on the road since the 50's, had just passed a big stage at the Rainbow, Ritchie Blackmore band, former Deep Purple. That was how the singer met the other band members Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums)
The entry of new vocalist resulted in a great album, Heaven and Hell (1980), but the calm was short-lived: Ward announced that he was leaving. His replacement, Vincent "Vinny" Appice (at the time his nickname was "Vinnie"), he gained playing in the band Derringer and the musician was considered ideal for battery.
It was with this formation that the Mob Rules album hit stores in 1981, produced by Martin Birch, one of the most sought after professionals in the music scene playing with bands like Fleetwood Mac, Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Rainbow, Blue Öyster Cult. His work began with Black Sabbath in Heaven and Hell and the result was so positive that the partnership was maintained. The same happened with Geoff Nichols, who participated in two work as a keyboardist guest.
The timing could not be better: Tony Iommi assembled his usual arsenal of riffs and comes up with an amazing technique in soils, in a way not seen "was Osbourne." Pure evolution and maturity of a dedicated musician that has not stopped in time.
"Turn up the Night" is the opening track which concentrates all the potential of musicians in an explosive attack. Appice shows why the group was called for: an incredible rhythmic dynamics, speed, coupled with technical support ideal for the authentic sound walls formed by the combination of guitar and bass. Just add Ronnie James Dio at his best music to be perfect.
"Voodoo" can be considered a typical music of Black Sabbath, beginning with the title. The slower tempo favors the weight of the guitar riffs just as it did in 70 years.
A big surprise is "The Sign of the Southern Cross." The simple guitar and vocal to the opening of Dio, with soft passages in falsetto, soon gives way to an absolutely dark theme. Iommi is in charge of the creation of climates and Nichols keyboards help make a horror scenario worthy of a classic band. The letter recalls an apocalyptic prophecy: "There is a rainbow that will shine when summer ends / If an echo does not respond to a penetrating sound / Then the beast will be free to roam / It is the sign of the Southern Cross"
The vignette "E5150" explores the most of the keyboards to generate a climate of tension. To know the true meaning of the title, just change the numbers in Roman numerals. "5" is the letter "V". "1" is represented by "I". And "50" is "L". Thus, the name of the song is "Evil."
"The Mob Rules" is a classic unforgettable guitar riffs command the base of the composition and attack power of the battery produces a "chaos under control." A hymn composed by the heavy rock band in an absolute state of creativity.
The lyrics of "Country Girl" suggests that that girl is a witch of the title: "His eyes were an endless flame, not blessed lady / Desire showed a special power to snatch your soul away / His smile was as a song of winter, the closure of a Sabbath. " Those who remember the group's debut album, Black Sabbath (1970), you'll find on its cover the dark female figure in a countryside setting somberly. Perhaps a reference to the band's past?
"Slipping Away" is built on rhythmic variations of Appice. The duel between sound Iommi and Butler is the pinnacle of music.
The introduction of "Falling off the Edge of the World," quiet and melancholy, it's just a feature to surprise the listener. Following a devastating track closely follows the style of heavy metal 80 years. But lets not forget the guitar: it is pure Black Sabbath.
To finish a slower pace, "Over and Over" puts one more time Iommi's guitar as the central character, an interpretation with influences from rhythm 'n' blues. The soil is extremely creative. Ronnie James Dio does not lose the chance to put all the power and feeling in his voice.
The Devil You Know
The extensive touring that followed the release of Mob Rules resulted in the live album Live Evil. This work was the cause of quarrel that happened between Dio and Iommi during the mixing sessions. The atmosphere became so hostile that the singer decided to leave the group. Plus, it took Vinny Appice with him to found his own band, called simply Dio.
In 1992, Dio, Iommi, Butler and Appice reconvened briefly to record Dehumanizer CD and tour. And from 2006, the band returned with the name Heaven and Hell to avoid conflicts and comparisons with the original lineup of Black Sabbath with Ozzy Osbourne (who is firm in his solo career).
The name change is of little interest: the CD Live From Radio City Music Hall received a gold record and shows that the musicians are still in great shape. A studio album is scheduled for 2009 with the unlikely title of The Devil You Know.
Many fans of Black Sabbath will bet on other albums as classics: Paranoid, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Sabotage, Heaven and Hell. There is no doubt that each of these works have a special place in rock history. The choice of Mob Rules have special reasons. Besides the extraordinary musical talent, is a story of overcoming, to restructure the band with great success.
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