~DEHUMANIZER~Discussion

[Holymagica]

Released 22 June 1992
Recorded Late 1991 – Early 1992
Track listing
1."Computer God" – 6:10
2."After All (The Dead)" – 5:37
3."TV Crimes" – 3:58
4."Letters From Earth" – 4:12
5."Master of Insanity" – 5:54
6."Time Machine" – 4:10
7."Sins of the Father" – 4:43
8."Too Late" – 6:54
9."I" – 5:10
10."Buried Alive" – 4:47
The US-release added a bonus track "Time Machine (Wayne's World version)" – 4:18 This is the first recording of the song, specifically for the soundtrack to "Wayne's World" and ahead of the album sessions. It was also released as a 1-track promo CD.

Band
Ronnie James Dio – vocals
Tony Iommi – guitars
Geezer Butler – bass
Vinny Appice – drums
Geoff Nicholls – keyboards

[Angelic Storm]

This was the first full album I heard with Ronnie on vocals, back in 92, and it's still one of my favourites. In fact, it's one my fave records of all time. I always wondered why this album was so under appreciated. For me, it has just about everything I love about metal packaged in one album. From the massive, magical epic opener "Computer God", through the adrenaline rush of "TV Crimes", the beautifully haunting "Too Late", the fist pumping triumphancy of "I", to the final mega crush of pure evil doom that is "Buried Alive", this album has everything. And I havent even mentioned the other awesome tracks on the album!

This album was more like a band's debut, rather than by middle aged men who'd been making classic rock/metal for many years. It has such a vibrancy and an urgency about it, and that's what makes it so compelling a listen. Being my first real introduction to Ronnie's vocals, this album has a special place in my heart. But it's not all about nostalgia for me. The album really has stood the test of time. And the fact that in recent years people have started singing it's praises, when at the time of its release, and all through the 90's, nobody seemed to rate it at all, I think shows that the world probably was not ready for the ultra heavy onslaught which "Dehumanizer" delievered. Especially as it was so much darker and crushing than Ronnie's previous 2 albums with Sabbath. It is amongst the very best of Ronnie's work, and of Black Sabbath's catalogue, and is definitely IMO one of the most underrated albums of all time. I adore this album very much. <3

"Program the brain, not the heartbeat!'' \m/

[Jeffrey]

It came out during the "grunge" era in music. Not much metal came out and got heard back then. When they toured, I hear the halls were not very full. Not like when Heaven and Hell came back.

Just because a CD doesn't sell, doesn't mean it isn't good. Just fewer get to appreciate it. I think with Heaven and Hell coming back with another CD, more people were exposed to it that may have missed it.

I am just discovering Strange Highways, myself.

Jeffrey
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Ronnie James Dio is a legend

[Angelic Storm]

[DioInfinitum]

I have spent untold hours listening to this album.

It is an extraordinary rebirth for this group of musicians.

It's so hard to compare it to their previous work, as both Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules both sound like 'classic rock' albums.

Dehumanizer sounds angry and mean. I would say that this is a complete 'sister album' to the newer Heaven and Hell band album).

All these are strong tracks:
Computer God
After All
Letters from Earth
Sins of the Father
Too Late (which has an amazing break)
and
Buried Alive

It's not a given that folks who dug the first two 80s releases from this band will like the newer material on Dehumanizer and the Heaven and Hell band album.

A couple weeks ago I listened to 'After All (The Dead)' on the way home from work. It gave me insane goose bumps and I felt monstrously angry at Dio's passing when the song played. Honestly, i felt some kind of sensory overload.

For all practical purposes, under received or not, Dehumanizer is still a classic for true fans.

I perilously regret not going to see Heaven and Hell last summer when I had the chance.

I cherish immortal digital recordings.

[fiddlequeen07]

I just bought this one back in March, and I LOVE IT. I love the lyrics, I love the guitar, I love Ronnie's vocals...there is nothing bad about this album, to my ears.

I understand this one was not too well received when it was released, and that is a shame. I was not a fan back then; I was still listening to the "oldies" I had grown up hearing. (Better late than never!) I think everyone could stand to learn something from this album, if only they'd listen.

Favorite Track: Too Late. And then all the others are second favorite. This is an awesome and perfect album. And the cover art is totally cool.
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"You'll never make me be like you. I'm Master of the Moon!"

[The Masterstroke]

Except "After all " I love every song on it. It is my favorit Black Sabbath album .You can hear this "Glad to be together" - feeling .

[olivious the drummer]

Now interestingly I hear a great album here but it feels like a band on the edge of imploding (which happened soon after).......when I first heard it I thought the anger coming from the songs was a way of the band channeling their anger at each other. I still kinda feel it when I listen (which is why in a different section I said I prefer TDYK to this one as it feels like a band enjoying playing).

BUT - dont get me wrong this is a seriously good album and bloody powerful!

fav track.......Too Late.
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Stand up and Shout!!!!!

[the last diver]

When I bought it, back in 1992, I was a little bit disappointed about its doomy direction. Only after many years I understodd how great this album was, also because it stood the test of time. "Computer God", "Buried Alive", "Letters From Earth", "I", "Too Late", "Sins Of The Father" are classics.

[adiszul]

there was no time for metal in 1992 an DIO showed us that even in 90's classics can be made...
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So live for today
Tomorrow never comes

[Iommi]

Dehumanizer is such an awesome album. Acctually it's my favorite Sabbath album with Dio. The whole album flows so well i never felt the urge to press the skipp button.

My favorite track by far is the criminally underrated Letters from earth. I'm allways surprised this song is never shown in the lists of Dio best performances. 'Cuz it really deserves it.

[Lady of Armageddon]

Definitely my favourite of all the Dio Sabbath, and I agree that it's a criminally under-rated album.

My personal faves from it are ... might as well name the whole album! XD There's a certain feel to each song, lots of energy througout.
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Stand up and shout!

[LindaJeanne]

This album has been growing on me.

A couple of songs I liked the first time heard them, some of the others it took more time to get into. But I'm linking the album more and more.

[alitivity]

Not sure what everyone is talking about when they say that this album and tour were not well received. I remember it as beng a huge Deal. When they played Detroit Twice on that tour, and the first I believe was a Pine Knob (Out Door Ampitheater) It is very large and they packed the place (Over 15,000). The second time they did downsize but it was to the Fox Theater in Downtown Detroit which is a big Theater (seats over 5,000) . Both of these place are larger than the venues they played as Heaven and Hell in Cleveland.

It was huge for them to get back together in 92 Because Metal was having trouble, They were the premier act on tour that year. All the Metal fans were out to support them.
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Check out Al Diamond Phillips/Nevermet on the web
http://www.reverbnation.com/nevermet

[PowerKnight]

It took a lot longer to catch this one but has grown on me over the years and I love it. At this point the slower paced songs came in but it still had an impact which Devil to me just doesen`t have.
Computer God is solid and brilliant stuff along with most of the album. PowerKnight
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Joust With Thee
For I The PowerKnight Hath Taken
Escaped From The Castle
A Damsel Distressed Unto Thee
The PowerKnight Legacy
A Dio Disciple And A Blackmore Knight