HEAVEN & HELL: ONE REUNION ALBUM I THINK YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET EXCITED ABOUT

I know I’ve spoken out in the past – fuck, yesterday, even – against bands that have recently reunited recording new albums. But in the case of Heaven & Hell – né “Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio and without fear of being sued by Sharon Osbourne” – I think it’s safe to be optimistic.

And why, pray tell, do I have faith that new Heaven & Hell record could actually rule? Easy: the three songs they did for last year’s greatest hits collection, “The Devil Cried,” “Shadow of the Wind,” and “Ear in the Wall” all kicked major, major ass. In fact, they were so good that it made me wonder why so many other aging metal bands have such a hard time making good material (I’m not naming names. Argue amongst yourselves who I’m talking about. Okay, it’s Ozzy. But there’s others, too. Like Metallica. I’m stopping! I’m stopping!)

Here’s “Shadow of the Wind,” lest you doubt me:

-AR