: A sprawling opener that sets a dystopian tone.
Standard used copies are often found on or eBay UK .
Released in 1992—sandwiched between the glossy hard rock of the late ‘80s and the grunge explosion— Dehumanizer was a defiant, sludgy middle finger to trends. It wasn’t commercial. It wasn’t friendly. It was Sabbath and Dio, pissed off and heavier than ever. black sabbath dehumanizer cd
The original 1992 CD pressing (IRS Records) has a notably different feel than the 1997 Castle Communications reissue. The 1992 mix is very bright, with Dio’s vocals sitting high in the mix. Some fans complain it lacks low-end thump. The 1997 remaster adds bass response but compresses the dynamic range slightly. For audiophiles, the 2009 Deluxe Edition (discussed below) is the definitive listening experience.
It is not the most popular Black Sabbath album. It does not have the mainstream hits of Paranoid or the anthemic power of Heaven and Hell . But Dehumanizer is the heaviest album the Dio lineup ever made. It is angry, intelligent, and uncompromising. : A sprawling opener that sets a dystopian tone
The breaking point came when Ozzy Osbourne announced his "retirement" tour (which, of course, wasn’t a real retirement). Ozzy invited Sabbath to open for him in Costa Mesa, California. Dio was furious. He refused to share a stage with Ozzy, feeling it would undermine his tenure with the band.
To understand the weight of the Dehumanizer CD, you have to understand the timeline. The year was 1990. Black Sabbath was in shambles. Following the departure of Tony Martin (the band’s third vocalist of the late 80s), guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler were contemplating the end of the band. Simultaneously, Ronnie James Dio had left his project Dio after tensions with his own bandmates. It wasn’t commercial
Songs like "Dehumanizer" and "Get a Grip" touch on the idea of technology controlling our lives, while "I Am the Born Again" explores themes of spirituality and rebirth. The lyrics are delivered with conviction by Hughes, whose powerful vocals bring a sense of urgency and gravitas to the album.
This article dives deep into why the Dehumanizer CD remains a crucial piece of the Sabbath catalog, the sonic brutality of the album, the drama behind its creation, and what to look for when adding this CD to your collection.
Initially, Dehumanizer received mixed reviews as it competed with the rise of alternative rock. However, time has been incredibly kind to the record. Modern metal bands often cite its "thick" production and darker lyrical content as a major influence on the stoner metal and sludge genres.
: Widely considered one of Dio's greatest vocal performances, radiating power and defiance. Why Collectors Love the CD Version