An often misunderstood and underrated album, 1986's Seventh Star was never intended to be a Black Sabbath release, as the band had effectively broken up following its disastrous 1984 tour in support of career low point Born Again. Instead, Seventh Star was conceived as guitarist Tony Iommi's first solo project, and it was only record company pressure that forced him to resurrect his longtime band's moniker at the last minute. With this in mind, one can better appreciate both the record's more blues-based, often un-Sabbath-like songwriting and the contributions made by journeyman singer Glenn Hughes (ex-Trapeze, Deep Purple, etc.), whose incredibly emotive and soulful vocal style was completely at odds with the deadpan delivery of Sabbath's most recognizable singer, Ozzy Osbourne (a discrepancy that would spell his quick exit when the necessary classics were wheeled out for the ensuing world tour). Still, within the unique circumstances of Seventh Star's creation, Hughes' fiery tunefulness made aggressive hard rockers like "In for the Kill," "Turn to Stone," and "Danger Zone" uncommonly catchy, and gorgeous ballads such as "Angry Heart/In Memory..." and "No Stranger to Love" all the more heart-rending. Tellingly, his efforts fell resoundingly flat on the bluesy aimlessness of "Heart Like a Wheel" and the gothic menace of the title track, making it possible for keener observers to foresee the troubles ahead. Yet, in light of the even more traumatic difficulties that preceded it, Seventh Star -- for all its uncharacteristic sonic qualities -- actually represents the turning of a corner for Black Sabbath's lengthy career, which steadily regained momentum in the years that followed. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia

This first-ever compilation spotlighting Sabbath's Ronnie James Dio-fronted years spans 1980-2006 with 16 thundering tracks, including "Neon Nights," "Lady Evil," "Children of the Sea," "The Mob Rules," and more. Also features the brand-new recordings "The Devil Cried," "Shadow of the Wind," and "Ear in the Wall." When Ronnie James Dio picked up lead vocal reins for Black Sabbath after Ozzy Osbourne's departure, he'd already slayed audiences worldwide fronting Elf and Rainbow. The creative spark ignited by Dio's presence led to metal masterpiece Heaven And Hell. Now also the name of the reformed Sabbath lineup that will tour this year with Dio, original members Tony Iommiand Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice.1981's The Mob Rulescontinued their renaissance before Ronnie left to become a solo artist. A decade later, his one-off return to Sabbath, 1992's Dehumanizer, whetted fans' appetite for more, something not realized until this new compilation, featuring the best of Black Sabbath's past Dio incarnations, plus three brand new tracks. Heavy doesn't even begin to describe it!

2007 digitally remastered and expanded edition of this hard rockin' 1981 album from David Coverdale and Co. featuring six bonus tracks: 'Child Of Babylon' (Alternate Rough Mix), 'Girl' (Alternate Version Rough Mix), 'Come An' Get It' (Rough Mix), 'Lonely Days Lonely Nights' (Alternate Version Rough Mix), 'Till The Day I Die' (Rough Mix) and 'Hit An' Run' (Backing Track). EMI.

2007 digitally remastered and expanded two CD edition of this hard rockin' 1982 live album from David Coverdale and Co. featuring a bonus disc that features six bonus tracks: 'Come On', 'Might Just Take Your Life', 'Lie Down', 'Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City', 'Trouble' and 'Mistreated'. EMI.

Import only 14-track digitally remastered reissue of their sophomore album, originally released in 1979. This reissue now features four bonus tracks, 'Belgian Tom's Hat Trick', 'Love To Keep You Warm', 'Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City' & 'Trouble' - All Recorded Live for an Andy Peebles Radio Session on 29th March 1979. EMI. 2006.

2011 release, the first ever B-sides collection from the American Hard Rock/Metal crew. The set includes a previously unreleased track, "Mine," and "3," which was released exclusively on the band's website in April. Other tracks include "God of the Mind" and "A Welcome Burden," which appeared on the 2010 reissue of the band's 2000 debut album The Sickness; "Monster," "Two Worlds," and "Sickened," which were included as bonus tracks on the UK tour edition of Ten Thousand Fists; "Run," which was featured on a limited-edition version of 2008's Indestructible; and "Parasite," which appeared on the Japanese edition of Indestructible.

Vinyl LP pressing. 2009 album from this reformed quartet of former Black Sabbath members fronted by Ronnie James Dio. When Metal masters Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice reunited for the first time in 15 years to record new bonus tracks for Rhino's 2007 compilation Black Sabbath: The Dio Years, an otherworldly force reignited their musical connection. ''Everyone had so much fun playing together that we didn't want it to end,'' the band recalls. It didn't: they reformed as Heaven & Hell and staged a triumphant, sold-out world tour throughout 2007-2008. Fueled by their chemistry on the road, the quartet returned to the studio in 2008 to record The Devil You Know, their first new set of original material since 1992's Dehumanizer.