The Devil You Know vs 13

Which album did you prefer, Heaven and Hell's The Devil You Know (A Sabbath album in all but the band name) or Black Sabbath's 13? I'd have to say that for me, Devil You Know was a much stronger album, and the songs were much more memorable. I liked 13 at first listen, but the songs eventually started getting too "samey", and there were too many dirge-like tracks (even during the Ozzy days, Sabbath albums had plenty of upbeat paced tracks). God is Dead? and Naivete in Black were highlights, but the rest doesnt really hold up.

Black Sabbath-The Devil You Know

Having had plenty of time to digest both now, Dio's version of Sabbath this time is far better, 13 was forced to sound retro, it's rather generic...

Black Sabbath-The Devil You Know

But, truth be told, I don't really listen to either one all that much.

The Devil You Know was leaps & bounds better.

The Devil You Know for me

The Devil You Know. But not a fan of either.

The Devil you Know! Dio Sabbath always trumps Ozzy Sabbath IMO.

13. The Devil you know is fantastic, so it is pretty darn close. Dio and Ozzy are so different in very way and yet both are great. The Ozzy led Sabbath gets the edge.

Apples and Oranges. Jesus.

Quote :

The Devil you Know! Dio Sabbath always trumps Ozzy Sabbath IMO.

I agree  

I think 13 is a fantastic album, but The Devil You Know is a better album.

The Devil You Know is the better album.

13. I've loved that album since it came out. Still dig it.

I like both albums, but give a slight edge to 13 over the Devil you Know. I don't know why, but I just couldn't get much into TDYK. I liked it, but I didn't care much for the production so it doesn't get much play. I loved the production on 13 though, especially on vinyl so it gets the nod. Both are great albums though, and who knows, next month if asked the same question I might change my mind lol

13. Didn't get the chance to give the other one a deep listen.

mc666 wrote:

The Devil You Know was leaps & bounds better.

I have to agree with this statement, thou I did like '13', I just don't feel it was as memorable as 'The Devil You Know'

I haven't been interested in Ozzy for a long time, so I never even picked up 13.

The Devil You Know is a good but not great album.

If I were to make a Top 10 list, regarding the most disappointing albums of all time, "13" would probably make the list. I think it's so underwhelming. "The Devil You Know" is far superior!

If you had asked me this question when 13 came out I would have picked 13.  I hated TDYK when it came out and thought it was ponderous, slow and boring.  After 13 was released I listened to TDYK a bunch and it really clicked with me and now I love it.  13 was the exact opposite.  I really liked it when it was released but it has had zero staying power and it now feels like a bunch of rehashed crap.  TDYK feels like an album put together by a band that loves what they are doing and are good friends, whereas 13 feels like an album that was constructed with a goal to create an "old school Sabbath" album.  As a result, 13 feels contrived and TDYK feels fresh.

Witchfinder wrote:

If you had asked me this question when 13 came out I would have picked 13.  I hated TDYK when it came out and thought it was ponderous, slow and boring.  After 13 was released I listened to TDYK a bunch and it really clicked with me and now I love it.  13 was the exact opposite.  I really liked it when it was released but it has had zero staying power and it now feels like a bunch of rehashed crap.  TDYK feels like an album put together by a band that loves what they are doing and are good friends, whereas 13 feels like an album that was constructed with goal to create an "old school Sabbath" album.  As a result, 13 feels contrived and TDYK feels fresh.

Yeah, all of that

corplhicks wrote:

Apples and Oranges. Jesus.

How so? I mean yeah Ozzy vs Dio and to a lesser degree Appice vs Wilk but it's still in the same vein. Now if it was Master Of Reality vs Heaven & Hell I could see the apples and oranges comparison.

I'm not one of those who think that Dio Sabbath trumps Ozzy Sabbath, it's the '70s all the way for me but 13 tried too hard to be that. I enjoyed the record and probably would again if I ever revisited itbut why would I go to something that's a good effort at '70s Sabs when I can just listen to the classics. I think that TDYK is a bit heavier than the early Dio stuff and fits nicely in the collection when 13 just feels unnecessary.

As much of a fan of Doom and Stoner that I am I lean more towards the Dio era and honestly I'm not sure why because musically they were a lot better during the Ozzy years. Especially Geezer and Bill. I honestly like 13 for what it is and I remember Rubin said he wanted a follow up to the debut and I don't really see that either but I have to agree that after a few spins it quickly faded into obscurity for me aside from a couple of songs from disc 2. I still woulda rather had a full album from disc 2 added to The End EP without the liver songs and The Devil You Know I liked right away.

Umm, I think Tony stretched out a bit more w/Dio..