*TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM ORIGINAL POST AT MRBLACKS SITE*

Since I've had a pretty damn busy schedule recently with the last week of my spring semester of classes, I suddenly yesterday remembered this album came out, so I went to the nearest mall to my house, bought it (for a reasonable $13) and listened to the first couple tracks on the way to my Astronomy exam. I then listened to the rest of the album on and off today/tonight and am listening to it as I write this blog. Since I feel I've made my reasons for anticipating this album clear more than enough times previously, I'll spare that little history lesson for you all.

I'll say that after hearing the album once it doesn't manage to top or even match the Heaven and Hell album from 1980 though it's not a large step below it, just a regular step. Stylistically, this album isn't much different than Heaven and Hell and Dehumanizer, if at all. That said, if you liked those albums there isn't any reason why you shouldn't enjoy this latest effort. Obviously, however, time allows more possibilities with the sound, so on this album we're given better, more balanced production for each of the parts of the songs with the occasional sound effects flowing in to help give the album a bit more atmosphere (though you won't think you're listening to a concept album). The song structure is fairly basic, most of the songs are fairly lengthy coming in at around four to six minutes each with a typical approach with the verses and chorus sections (you'll never be confused as to what song is playing when those kick in). While this might make the songs drag out for some it does allow some of the stronger tracks to get a great elaboration ("Bible Black" being the track this applies the most to).

As far as the craftsmanship goes, there's some very solid work here, with no real weak points to any of the instruments, even bassist Geezer Butler (who names their son that anyways?) gets a few shining moments here and there (check the odd opening to "Doube The Pain"). Vinny Appice as always provides solid drum work though never steps it up to what, say, Scott Travis would. Even as one of the most well-respected and talented guitarists, Tony Iommi still puts on a good show and manages to come off particularly impressive in "Eating The Cannibals", one of the album's heavier tracks. As for Mr. Ronnie James Dio, he's actually the one who comes off a little, well, off in places. His eerie sustained notes are aplenty here though it's only on the tracks that he gives a more...passionate care to his voice that he shines out. Otherwise his vocals sound rather unremarkable and not all that impressive if at all.

The Devil You Know shows that even with only a few strong, remarkable qualities a good, solid album can still come out. This won't be cracking into anybody's top albums list anytime soon, but it will make for a good, fairly casual listen compared to some of the other, heavier albums you'll find (or that you'll find on my Zune). This is still essentially by the fans for the fans, so with that you should know whether you'll be getting the album or not.

Top Tracks: "Bible Black", "Rock and Roll Angel", "Eating the Cannibals", "Follow the Tears"

Score: 3.75/5

And no, listening to the first two tracks didn't help me on my Astonomy final.:cry:

I also went to a local show for my friend's band Reclaim the Throne on Saturday night for the final round of the BOTB competition they were in and am currently uploading the first nine minutes of their performance to YouTube (which my ear is STILL ringing from!). And I finally got around to watching all of The Departed the other night (I started watching it a while ago but stopped an hour in) and while I will say I don't hate the entire film as I do the first hour, it's still a severely overrated film and I'll still strongly say/insist that Letters From Iwo Jima should've won the Best Picture Oscar.