Special Report By Martin Popoff:

The DIO-led version of BLACK SABBATH will be kicking off their mammoth ’07 tour in Canada. But it seems the birthplace of the idea was that hotbed of metal-stamping and metal and steel forged in fire – Birmingham. It seems that Tony, as he explains to BW&BK;, went ‘round to a gig, spotted a singer he liked, and nicked him for his new band…

“I think we had been thinking about it since the last tour actually,” explains Tony, beginning with the first essence of the concept. “I was talking to Geezer; I think Geezer mentioned something about doing something with Dio again. And it sort of just formulated as time went on. I can remember… I think Ralph, from my management office, called first, and suggested we... because we were putting the CD together, for the record company, and they thought it would be an idea to do a couple, three new tracks, which we did. And that's how it really started. ‘Well, we'll get together and see how it goes with the writing.’ So Ronnie came over to England, and came to my house, and we worked in my studio here, and it really did gel. It was really great, just to see each other again and whatnot. But in fact, before that, I went to see Ronnie in Birmingham, at a gig, and we met up in the afternoon, and I went to see him on the night, so that was our first meeting for a long time. And it was just nice. This was maybe eight months or a year ago.”

On going with the moniker Heaven And Hell, Tony reflects that, “It doesn't confuse things. In some ways, I know we're doing a Black Sabbath: The Dio Years, so that's a bit confusing. But it is the same band we had as then. But I just thought it would be easier to go out as Heaven And Hell. It doesn't cause any conflict, you know? Sharon or Ozzy haven't said anything about it. I own the name, so I could go out as Black Sabbath. But I just thought it would be best to do that, and then if we do the Black Sabbath thing later on, people will know who that is, you know? I think our fans will know who this lineup is no matter what the name. People know what they're getting with Heaven And Hell. Black Sabbath could be, 'Who’s that going to be now? What singer’s this going to be?’ I think people will know with Heaven And Hell, that it’s Ronnie singing. As I say, no matter what name you get behind it, the fans are going to know.”

As previously reported, Iommi offered BW&BK; a glimpse at the three new tracks the band has recorded for the upcoming Ronnie James Dio-era BLACK SABBATH compilation, due out, according to Tony, “February or March” through Rhino Records. The tracks include: ‘Shadow Of The Wind’, ‘The Devil Cries’ and ‘Ear In The Wall'. To read Iommi's assessment of the new songs head here.

Heaven And Hell will be commencing their World Tour in Vancouver, BC on March 3rd and they will play at least seven shows across Canada, ending in Toronto. Other possible stops include South America, Japan, Korea, Australia and Europe before returning to North America for a US tour in August.

Watch for a massive Heaven And Hell feature in BW&BK; #102 ... out in February 2007!