BLACK SABBATH - The Rules Of Hell Box Due In July
Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 at 14:47:33 EST

Black-sabbath.com webmaster Joe Seigler has issued the following update:

"When Black Box was released in 2004, one of the things not mentioned then was "what about remastering all the other Sabbath albums?" Well, today (part of) that has been announced. First off, I must state that this is NOT called Black Box II. That's my own name. This is called The Rules of Hell.

I have already asked a few questions of Band management regarding this box set, when I get some answers, I'll report back. What I've asked is this:

- Is this a new remastering session, or is it the same sessions that produced the versions used on the DIO Years?
- Anything in the way of extras, or is it just the albums like it was in Black Box?
- Will there be Geezer (or Ronnie as the case may be) approved lyrics again like there were in Black Box?
- Will the albums be made available on their own, or only as part of this box set?

Again, I do not know the answers to these questions - yet. When I find out, I'll report back. This is very cool, as the Dio era albums need an upgrade. I'm hopeful about the extras, because there are more tracks sitting around than what were on the actual albums, so hopefully some of that stuff can be released, too. Here is the official text regarding this set:

HEAVEN & HELL will be supporting the release of The Rules Of Hell a five-CD boxed set available on July 22nd from Rhino Records which features re-mastered versions of all four Dio-era Black Sabbath albums (Heaven And Hell, Mob Rules, Live Evil and Dehumanizer) in a deluxe package with new liner notes.

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http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AZ7RU0/?tag=imwan-20

I have the Castle UK remasters of these albums, so I'll be skipping this one. But it sounds like a great package for those who want to upgrade.

I too have the Castle remasters but the music seems to be very low on them . I have played them side to side with the original Warner Bros versions and the on identical boom boxes set at the same volume and the Castle versions were lower . I look forward to the Rhino reissue , and hopefully they will get around to the remainder of the catalog. The albums with Tony Martin (although not really Sabbath) , they were some very good albums.

CBK:
Those Castle rematers were NOT from the original master tapes. They're OK, but they have numerous glitches on them. These will be a great upgrade. Just compare the Castle remasters from the Ozzy era to the Rhino box and it isn't even remotely close. The Rhino remasters sounded amazing-100% better, and I believe that will be the case here. Just listening to the "Black Sabbth:The Dio Years" comp again last week does it for me. This is going to be awesome!
Now, the rest of the catalogue needs remastering-the Tony Martin era was awesome-I was just lsteing to "Headless Cross' today ironically, and boy does that need remastering big time. I truly hope that era gets represented as well.

BLACK SABBATH - More Rules Of Hell Box Set Details Revealed
Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 09:48:38 EST


Black-Sabbath.com webmaster Joe Seigler has issued the following update:

A couple of days ago I posted the news that there will be a box set based on the four DIO-era BLACK SABBATH releases. I posed some questions of band management regarding some details on the set, and I can now bring you an update based on what I found out.

Individual Releases: The albums will likely eventually be released on their own, but no plans yet, and even that's not for sure. For now you should consider them part of the box set only.

Remastering: This is not the same remastering sessions that produced last year's The Dio Years releases. This is a totally new remastering session from the Dio Years sessions.

Five Discs: The press release stated that there would be five discs in this release. The five discs will be Heaven & Hell, The Mob Rules, Dehumanizer and Live Evil. Live Evil will be two discs as it was when it was originally released way back when, so that's where we get the fifth disc.

Extra Tracks: There are no extra tracks here, the albums are as they were originally released. I specifically asked about the alternate version of 'Mob Rules' (Heavy Metal soundtrack), and the alternate version of 'Letters To Earth' ('TV Crimes' single). Was told they're not being included. Less clear are the two versions of 'Time Machine'. The 1992 version released in the US had two versions (standard & Wayne's World). The WW version was not on versions outside of the US. Since this is being released by Warner/Rhino, it's likely the one on here will have both, but I don't know that for sure at this time.

I was told the "new" extras will be extensive liner notes and things along those lines. I also do not know at this time what the packaging will look like. One of the emails I got said that had yet to be completed, so I doubt there's full decisions made on this stuff yet. Once I get some artwork and further details, I'll be sure to update straight away."

I'm on board for this one.

I actually like the version of "Mob Rules" from the Heavy Metal soundtrack better than the album version. They should've included it for the sake of completeness.

Whatis the 2 disc Live Evil tracklist??

Probably the same one that it's always been.

I'm interested in this but do wish that both versions of the song "Mob Rules" would be included...it was hearing the "HEAVY METAL" version on the radio that first got me into Dio-era Sabbath!

(And while were at it, that soundtrack needs a remaster itself!)

Bump ~ added pre-order details to the first post.

Heads up-Best Buy will have an exclusive bonus disc of 5 tracks from the Hammersmith live CD that Rhino Handmade put out in 2007. For those who weren't able to get it (I did thankfully-it's awesome), at least this is a nice add-on.
From Blabbermouth.net:

According to a posting on the unofficial BLACK SABBATH web site Black-Sabbath.com, there is a version of the forthcoming BLACK SABBATH "The Rules Of Hell" box set being sold at Best Buy which is an exclusive. The majority of the box will be exactly the same as you can get everywhere else. There will, however, be an extra CD packed on the outside that will contain five live tracks from 1981: "Neon Knights", "The Mob Rules", "Children Of The Grave", "Voodoo" and "Country Girl". The source of these live tracks was the "Live At Hammersmith" release from May 2007. The first four of these tracks (all except "Country Girl") were already released on the UK "tour edition" of "The Dio Years" last year.

For more information, visit the Best Buy web site.

"The Rules Of Hell" is a box set featuring all three of BLACK SABBATH's Dio-era studio releases ("Heaven And Hell", "Mob Rules", "Dehumanizer") and its double live collection ("Live Evil"), each recently remastered for the first time.

Heavy metal pioneers BLACK SABBATH were reborn in 1980 when founding members Tony Iommi and Terry "Geezer" Butler added vocalist Ronnie James Dio to the lineup. The band's short but memorable time together added an unforgettable chapter in SABBATH's storied history. Rhino relives the demonic fury conjured by the Dio era with "The Rules Of Hell". The set comes packaged in a deluxe slipcase with extensive liner notes featuring all new interviews with the band. This five-disc boxed set will be available from Rhino on July 22 at all physical outlets, as well as http://www.rhino.com, for a suggested list price of $54.98. The set will also be available the same day at all digital outlets for a suggested list price of $24.99.

Two years ago, Dio, Iommi, Butler and drummer Vinny Appice reunited to record a trio of new songs for Rhino's "Black Sabbath: The Dio Years" before launching a highly anticipated and greatly acclaimed world tour under their new moniker HEAVEN AND HELL. Revitalized by the reunion, the lineup is back in the studio now recording the first ever full-length studio album from HEAVEN AND HELL, set to be released by Rhino in early 2009. To whet the fans' appetites for the new album, HEAVEN AND HELL will return to the road for a short stint on the Metal Masters Tour, a month-long North American trek with JUDAS PRIEST, MOTÖRHEAD, and TESTAMENT. This blistering metal juggernaut will launch August 6 in Philadelphia.

BLACK SABBATH/HEAVEN AND HELL members Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Vinny Appice (drums) will sign copies of "Black Sabbath: The Rules Of Hell", at Vintage Vinyl in Ford, New Jersey on Saturday, August 2 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Due to time constraints, the band will only sign copies of "The Rules Of Hell" box set and HEAVEN AND HELL's "Live From Radio City Music Hall" DVD/CD.

Vintage Vinyl
51 Lafayette Road
Fords, NJ
Tel.: (732) 225-7717

I've got mine on pre-order from Tower which has it for $40.99:

http://www.tower.com/rules-hell-black-s ... /112221085

At least on this boxed set the remaster for Live Evil is the two disc set and not the butchered one that Castle remaster was.

Best Buy is doing a pre order for $34.99 , great price !

Here it is:

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=535607

That is a great price-my friend at Rhino got it for me at $28, so that's not far off, although I paid no shipping, not sure what BB does, but at any rate that's damn good.
I have it and it is awesome-just a quick listen, "Heaven And Hell" and "Mob Rules" sound wayyyy better, especially "Heaven And Hell" which sounds less mid-rangy and clearer. Didn't get to the others yet.
A note-the 3 new tracks from "Black Sabbath: The Dio Years" appear only on the digital version of the boxset. I have "The Dio Years" already, so screw digital.

I can't wait to hear this set, as the first two discs definitely needed sonic upgrades. I got mine from Wherehouse.com for $38.49 with free shipping. I was able to use my FYE credit toward this, so I actually didn't have to shell out anything!

I wonder what the Hoffman folks will think of this one?

It's remastered. It's automatically suspect.

Went into my local Best Buy here in Woodbridge, New Jersey to get the new Black sabbath box set that was advertised in their flyer for $34.99 plus an exclusive bonus disc. Guess what....they didn't have it! Never did! Not only that...it wasn't even on order!!!!

I got a raincheck but that's not the point. Best Buy is just a horrible organization and it's a shame that we have to rely on companies like them for our music needs.

Same problem for me as musicdav24. I went to Worst Buy in Montgomeryvillle, PA. Looked high and low for it in the music section and couldn't find it. Walked around looking for a "sales associate" but none in sight. Finally I went to the "customer service/pickup" counter to ask where they were hiding it. The clueless guy working there looked it up on his screen thingee and told me that it was ONLY AVAILABLE ON LINE, NOT OFFERED IN THE STORE. I told him that that made no sense at all and showed him the ad from the Sunday paper (anytime I go to Worst Buy to pickup something new I always bring the ad with me since every freaking time THEY DON'T HAVE WHATEVER IT IS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO and don't know what I am asking about). He then pointed me towards another "associate" who had appeared in the music department trying to help someone else find what they were looking for (they didn't have what they wanted either). This guy at least knew what I was asking for and that they were *supposed* to have it. He went "in the back" to look for it. 10 minutes later he came out and said he could not find it. This has happened to me at EVERY Worst Buy store I have ever gone to if I try to get whatever the new thing is on the release day. I am 0 for 5 in recent memory. I guess I should have learned my lesson by now and not even bother. Strangely they DID have the new U2 reissues (of course marked at the wrong price as always) but I had decided to get those through Amazon or a local indie place so I left empty handed. I might try a different Worst Buy tomorrow but then again maybe not.