The Devil You Know: Why Is This the Weakest of the Dio Albums?

[Zzzptm]

Granted, the other three Dio-era albums are some of the best rock records ever made, but why isn't TDYK up there with them? In terms of quality, it's nowhere near as compelling an offering as the other three. I would even say that it doesn't compare favorably to Born Again or the better Martin-era albums.

So what's wrong with it? Where did it lose its way?

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

It has some good stuff on it but there is too much filler, and overall the songs are generally too slow (a couple of fast tracks aside!).

[Charger]

Well The Devil You Know is NOT a weak album by any means. In fact it is bloody briliant...just bit less brilliant I suppose than the other 3.

Songs like Bible Black, Fear, Follow The Tears, Rock 'n Roll Angel are right up there with the classic stuff...but not quite up there with Heaven And Hell or The Sign Of The Southern Cross.

Follow The Tears is without a doubt the heaviest song Sabbath has ever done and that's saying something.

The biggest problem with the album I think is the running order...Fear or Neverwhere should have started the album. Atom & Evil although being a good song is a horrible opener.

[Zzzptm]

Well The Devil You Know is NOT a weak album by any means. In fact it is bloody briliant...just bit less brilliant I suppose than the other 3.

Songs like Bible Black, Fear, Follow The Tears, Rock 'n Roll Angel are right up there with the classic stuff...but not quite up there with Heaven And Hell or The Sign Of The Southern Cross.

Follow The Tears is without a doubt the heaviest song Sabbath has ever done and that's saying something.

The biggest problem with the album I think is the running order...Fear or Neverwhere should have started the album. Atom & Evil although being a good song is a horrible opener.

OK, I got the MP3 files. Give me a running order that makes sense to you, and I'll play it back to see if it puts the album in a new light for me, because when I play it through, I think it's weak and unremarkable.

[BOGBLAST]

Bible Black and Follow the Tears, the rest is shit. Songs are uninspired, too structured and probably Ronnie's worst performance. Smells of an album they just banged out quick.

[Zzzptm]

Bible Black and Follow the Tears, the rest is shit. Songs are uninspired, too structured and probably Ronnie's worst performance. Smells of an album they just banged out quick.

I ask for a running order and I get a single and a b-side and a trash bag. But, yeah, I'm with Bogblast here. I'll still  be up for the Charger re-ordering, though.

[Charger]

Oh was I suppose to do something?

Well I've never really considered re-tracking the album but I would change Atom & Evil with Neverwhere and Turn Of The Screw with Fear...

[Zzzptm]

Oh was I suppose to do something?

Well I've never really considered re-tracking the album but I would change Atom & Evil with Neverwhere and Turn Of The Screw with Fear...

If it's just those two changes, I'll give it another go once I land in Dallas.

[BOGBLAST]

Oh was I suppose to do something?

Well I've never really considered re-tracking the album but I would change Atom & Evil with Neverwhere and Turn Of The Screw with Fear...

If it's just those two changes, I'll give it another go once I land in Dallas.

I don't think it's gonna help. 

[JSTHECONQUEROR]

Album is awesome. Definitely not better than Dehumanizer though.