Heaven & Hell vs Black Sabbath

After having plenty of time to digest both, what say you?

The Devil You Know because   

I really like "13", it's a good lp...but I don't think it's as good as sales/popularity/praise would indicate. Let's face it, everyone wanted Ozzy back since 79, and after all this time that first lp w/him was bound to sell big, plus "Ozzy" has become such a household/trademarked name you could slap it on a burger and outsell McDonalds! I just think "The Devil You Know" is a better offering, better melodies, better more memorable songs. Plus it would've done better had it been given the proper moniker, namely "Black Sabbath", for that's what it was!   

I liked 13, was not a bad album.

But The Devil You Know is a better album overall, way ahead with brilliance than 13.

So my vote goes for The Devil You Know.

The Devil You Know. Just a better listen than 13,although it's no slouch either.

I prefer 13. Both are solid though.

13.  Much closer stylistically to what I like.

I consider Black Sabbath with Dio and Black Sabbath with Ozzy to be two completely different bands.

The "Devil You Know", simple on the basis of "Follow the Tears", that is one freakin HEAVY riff.

"13" is a great album, but, the biggest annoyance to me, is Ozzy's over processed vocals. Don't get me wrong, I love Ozzy, but the last few years, his vocals have seemed to become all sounding the same. I know he has never been a great singer, and time (and drugs) have not done him well, but it seems like they have found a formula for his vox, and dial it in. It gets tiring to me after a while. Besides that, "13" has some great riffs and is classic Sabbath.

There is less processing on Ozzy's vocals on 13 than his recent solo albums.

The poll results almost give me hope for you guys.   

Orion Crystal Ice wrote:

The poll results almost give me hope for you guys.   

I have the exact opposite reaction to that.

Can't choose... both are excellent albums! As much as it sucked to lose Dio, at least he went out on a high note with TDYK. If Sabbath is done after 13, they at least will go out on a high note.

thejokeriv wrote:

Can't choose... both are excellent albums! As much as it sucked to lose Dio, at least he went out on a high note with TDYK. If Sabbath is done after 13, they at least will go out on a high note.

I'm having the same dilema. I really enjoy both albums. Today, I might vote for 13. Tomorrow could be TDYK.

deathisgain wrote:

The "Devil You Know", simple on the basis of "Follow the Tears", that is one freakin HEAVY riff.

I just realized yesterday how freakin' HEAVY that really is!   

13. Just listened to it again the other day for the first time in a few months. Still rules.

I prefer the Dio stuff anytime. 13 is good but not up to TDYK.

I wanted to like The Devil You Know better, but as much as I'm down on Ozzy these days I still liked 13 better. For the record I liked them both better than Iommi/Hughes Fused. All good but not great albums I'd say.

"The Devil You Know" for me.

Too bad it wasn't released under the Black Sabbath moniker, not that it really matters or anything.

Both are lackluster IMO. But if I had to pick, 13 sounds better to me.

Man, that really is bad ass!     

The Devil You Know. Easy.

13 is a great album, but Ozzy's voice gets tiring after a while.

Also, "The Devil You Know" has original compositions.

I have said since day one that The Devil You Know is a better album and I still hold to that for many reasons. Although I do prefer Dio Sabbath I don't base my choice on my prejudices. I know a lot of people who choose 13 just cuz it features Ozzy.

I love both albums and am quite surprised at how good both are. My all time favorite two lineups in metal history.