SONIC WAVES...Album Reviews

Black Sabbath: Dehumanizer (1992)

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1992 was a weird year in music. I kept buying music from the usual suspects that put out new music (Iron Maiden, KISS, Jovi, Leppard)  but I was also trying to keep up with the joneses on what was the current sound at the time (Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam).

One band that put out a record was Black Sabbath who were back together with Ronnie James Dio and Vinny Appice for the first time in 10 years or so.

I caught the Sabbath video for “TV Crimes” and I loved it, yet I never took the chance and bought the comeback album from Iommi/Bulter/Appice and Dio. Why? I have no idea.

Until…

January 2023…

Thunder Bay finally has a decent locally owned record shop (Spins) which brings both new and used titles in. One of the recent ones they were bringing in sealed was “Dehumanizer” by Black Sabbath.

I was intrigued so when I spoke to Dan and Kurtis about Dehumanizer (as when I went to originally get it there were no copies) they told me they had sold at that point about 10 copies of this one Sabbath album recently.

Huh? Really? Wow…

So I ordered it and they brought it in and what can I tell you all is why did I wait 31 years to get this brilliant piece of Sabbath Sludge Riff Rock?

I have no answer. Better late then never I suppose.

Along with the other DIO fronted Sabbath records (“Heaven And Hell” and “Mob Rules”) “Dehumanizer” got the reissue treatment on double vinyl with a gatefold sleeve to boot with some great liner notes included.

The opening two tracks(“Computer God” and “After All”) are filled with those iconic Sabbath like sludge riffs that build and build the song up.

“Holy father, holy ghostWho’s the one who pays the mostRock the cradle, don’t you cryBuy another lullaby

Jack is nimble, Jack is quickPick your pocket, turn a trickSlow and steady, he’s got timeTo commit another TV crimeTV crime”

“TV Crimes” is such a great song as I love Vinny’s drumming and Ronnie dials in with that perfect catchy chorus(check his lyrics above). Along with “Time Machine” these two  would be the most uptempo tracks on this record.

“Dehumanizer” is the perfect record for ’92 as there sound could have fit in with all the grunge bands of the day. Hell, I can hear the late great Chris Cornell singing some of these tracks back then.

Some great playing and singing as well I have to add but then again it’s Sabbath as these guys are the originals in doing this kind of deal.

I also like the production that producer Mack brought to this record. The drum sound especially as Mack dialled in those big drums for Queen and Billy Squier back in the day.

The first record is the whole studio album whereas the second record is some single edits along with “Time Machine” which is a different version from the “Waynes’s World” movie.

The remaining songs (six in total) are live and what a killer live version of “TV Crimes” and “Neon Knights”. Ah hell, it’s all great.

Great looking package and set at a decent price. ($41 Canuck bucks)

Considering “Dehumanizer” is a 31 year old record to my ears its a brand new record and why it took me son long to hop onboard with this one who knows as I love “Heaven And Hell” and “Mob Rules”. But as they say better late than never.

deKe’s Vinyl Score of Dehumanizer…..9/10

 

 

24 thoughts on “Black Sabbath: Dehumanizer (1992)”

  6. I just happen to luck up and find this…why do I keep missing your posts?
    Anyway…Dio had a voice that was out of this world. I don’t much about him with Black Sabbath but I saw him on MTV solo a lot…like Dickinson…this guy could sing anything.

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    1. Dio and Bruce can sing anything and they both still have their voices. I mean Dio up to the end and Bruce still to this day. Too be honest with you Max I prefer the DIO Sabbath compared to Ozzy Sabbath. Mob Rules by Dio was my entry point into Sabbath back in 81…

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      1. Wow…I havent’ heard many people say that before about them. I do remember Mob Rules…that album cover stood out at the time.

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      2. Still a great cover! Your all fools….The Mob Rules!
        And Yes I’m on those guys who likes DIO Sabbath better than Ozzy Sabbath. Don’t get me wrong as I dig both…

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      3. Yes it is a great cover. I remember I got my allowance every week and mom would take me to a regular store back then that sold records…this cover caught my eye.
        Dio certainly has a better voice…but it’s hard to beat him.

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  7. I can say this was my first Black Sabbath record that I purchased. And then I started to purchase the rest of the Dio albums and then Ozzy albums in the mid 90s.

    Dio needed this project and while I think Sabbath with Tony Martin are excellent, the label obviously had bigger commercial expectations. Hence the reformation

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  9. I’m a little surprised because everyone in my circle dumped on this album when it came out. I never listened to it myself other than Time Machine and TV Crimes which I thought were alright. Now, I read the comments and it getting praise. Well, I guess when you listen to fools, the mob rules, lol I’ll have to give it a spin sometime.

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