HEAVEN AND HELL is the name given to an illustrious cast of BLACK SABBATH associated musicians who announced their intentions during mid 2006. The previous year singer Ronnie James Dio stunned BLACK SABBATH fans in mid October with a casual remark during a BBC Radio 2 "Masters of Rock" radio interview by stating "Tony Iommi and I are going to write a couple of tracks together for a project that I think is called 'Black Sabbath - The Dio Years'."

In April 2006 Ronnie James Dio travelled to the UK to engage in songwriting sessions with TONY IOMMI. This union would rapidly evolve and reports in the summer suggested a Dio / Iommi / Geezer Butler / BILL WARD reunion billed as HEAVEN AND HELL. This would be substantiated with a management statement issued on October 24th. However, the very next day BLACK SABBATH's pre-Dio frontman OZZY OSBOURNE put out his reaction to the public by way of a press release stating "Tony Iommi and Ronnie Dio are working on a project together which has nothing to do with BLACK SABBATH. There is only one BLACK SABBATH. Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill will be touring late next year along with a new BLACK SABBATH album. However, Ozzy wishes Tony and Ronnie much success in their project together." In November it was revealed that Bill Ward was not to participate and in his stead came Vinny Appice, another well known BLACK SABBATH drummer. Shortly afterwards the first confirmed live date for HEAVEN AND HELL was announced, as headliners of the Sweden Rock festival.

December 2006 had Tony Iommi revealing titles for three new tracks, 'Shadow Of The Wind', 'The Devil Cries' and ''Ear In The Wall'. For live work the band employed Scott Warren from the DIO band on keyboards. HEAVEN AND HELL Canadian dates, backed by MEGADETH and DOWN, were announced for March. The March 30th Radio City Music Hall, New York City concert sold out less than two hours after tickets went on sale. Indeed, ticket sales were so strong that HEAVEN AND HELL topped the listing of tours in Pollstar's ratings for January.

At the band's live debut on March 11th, at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, which opened with 'E5150', HEAVEN AND HELL performed all three new numbers, 'Shadow Of The Wind', 'The Devil Cries' and ''Ear In The Wall'.

HEAVEN AND HELL took on Australian dates in August supported by Phil Anselmo's DOWN. The final show on this leg, at Auckland's Logan Campbell Centre in New Zealand on August 16th backed by WORLD WAR FOUR and DOWN, was cut short when fans let off snokebombs, triggering the fire alarms.

Upon release 'Live At Radio City Music Hall' hit number 1 on music DVD charts in Finland, Sweden and Greece. 'Live At Radio City Music Hall' was swiftly certified gold in the United States for sales in excess of 50,000 copies. Reports emerged in October that the world tour had been so successful there was serious consideration to record an entire new studio album.   

UK tour dates in November saw the addition of LAMB OF GOD and ICED EARTH as support.

In what was undoubtedly the strongest Heavy Metal touring package in many years, HEAVEN AND HELL teamed up with JUDAS PRIEST, MOTÖRHEAD, and TESTAMENT for a 16 date 'Metal Masters' US tour kicking off on August 6th 2008. HEAVEN AND HELL would be touring in support of their 'The Rules Of Hell"' five CD boxed set, available on July 22nd from Rhino Records, featuring remastered versions of their studio albums and 'Live Evil'.

HEAVEN AND HELL entered Rockfield Studios in Monmouthshire, Wales during late November 2008 to record fresh album tracks for 'The Devil You Know'. In March 2009 Roadrunner Records announced the signing of HEAVEN AND HELL for the territories of Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South America. Released on 28th April by Rhino Records in North America, a limited-edition CD+DVD package of 'The Devil You Know' featured band interviews and rehearsal footage. An animated video, directed by Ben Ceccarelli, was shot as a promotional tool for the single 'Bible Black'.

On 26th April the group played a dress rehearsal mini-concert a "secet" location in Van Nuys, California for a select group including adio station contest winners. The four songs performed comprised 'Bible Black', 'Fear', 'Follow The Tears' and 'Time Machine'. A world tour commenced on 5th May at Coliseo Cubierto El Campín in Bogota, Colombia.

'The Devil You Know' sold 30,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at no. 8 on The Billboard 200 chart. In the UK the album hit no. 21.

German concerts in June 2009 saw support from AXEL RUDI PELL. A performance at the Spanish 'Metalway' festival in Saroszoga was cancelled just moments before the show when Tony Iommi reportedly slipped backstage on some fake grass and hurt his back. Co-headlining, the band played alongside THIN LIZZY, SAXON, UFO and MOTÖRHEAD at the August 'Wacken Open Air' festival in Germany.

Garry Sharpe-Young