Ronnie James Dio in Black Sabbath

That's how I feel, this isn't really Sabbath, but it's definitely a great album

 

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Not sure how it isn't Sabbath. The people who wrote the music and lyrics for the first eight albums are still there. I'm sure Ozzy contributed a few melody ideas, but mostly they followed Tony's guitar riffs, and Geezer wrote most of the lyrics. This isn't true for many bands, but from a creative/writing standpoint, replacing the singer was like other bands replacing their drummers. Now once Iommi became the only original Sab left, then the name is definitely in some murky waters, for sure.

 

It's not the same sound, not the same spirit, it's Night and Day, you can't tell me it didn't become a different band with Dio joining.

 

If Iommi or Geezer's on it, it's Sabbath. Deal with it.

 

It’s the same band but injected with new blood and new ideas in which invicorated Iommi

 

Honestly, I think we got a side of Iommi that had not yet been seen before on albums like Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules that still manages to remain compelling to this day.

 

I do agree with that

 

Became a better band, but still Black Sabbath.

 

And I am confused by your statement.

What is the element that makes Black Sabbath stand out? Certainly not Ozzy’s vocals.

 

Hell, I'd consider albums like Dehumanizer and Headless Cross to be some of Black Sabbath's best material.

 

Just like any other band that goes through changes unfortunately like the mighty Van Halen

 

There's the doomy, gloomy Guitar, the unorthodox drumming by Bill, Geezer's lyrics and bass playing, and Ozzy's distinct voice.

 

One was still good when they changed singers, the other is Van Halen

 

Right on lol

 

Dehumanizer is pretty good, I'll give you that one

 

I agree that Ozzy's vocal style helped set Sabbath apart but saying that it was the entirety of what made the band great is ridiculous. It's like arguing that tedium like Never Say Die and 13 is better than Mob Rules. It becomes a cult of personality at that point.

 

I actually like (not Love but like) Never Say Die, but I agree with you, it was the four of them collectively that made Sabbath Sabbath.
Hell, Iommi is a cult of personality at this point, if it's him and he sticks the name on there, these people will always defend it, no matter what

 

Yeah, I can imagine.

"H-h-hey, guys. Forbidden is an excellent album and you only dislike it because you hate Tony!"

 

Yes...so, so much better once they fired Ozzy.

 

Honestly, of the Dio albums, I'd probably rate Dehumanizer the highest. It's also really interesting from a vocal perspective as well because it's the closest Dio ever gets to epic doom in the vein of Candlemass and it rules.

 

Sabbath with Dio is the only listenable Sabbath without Ozzy and I still don't rate it that highly it has some signature Dio cringe factor peppered through it.

 

Heaven And Hell sure seems like Sabbath to me.