I prefur Ozzys vocie!
100%.. Theres just something magic in his voice..
It makes me smile and cry..
But I do love Rainbow very much!
Dio is a good singer!! xo

--
I WANT OZZY, ZAKKY AND MIKEY... hehe.. xo

Thanks onmysix, thank you!

Happy my comments on "The Dio" made ya laugh, happy you understood I meant it in the best of terms. I love those old Dio albums, solo as well as when he did his Sabbath spell; he is positively one of our most cherished metal gods, just a peg or two right below our beloved Ozzman!

Or so I think anyway!

Never have seen "The Dio" live doom, I would love to, I think I will have to make that a priority in the up coming year or so.

Peace

Scape

Ozzy:"I have no regrets except that I wasn't up to keep Randy (Rhoads) from getting on that plane." (Ozzy Osbourne, Guitar World Issue 37, 2000)

He is one to see live

"I love that little dwarf, he is definitely one of a kind. I remember the first time I seen him I thought damn that boy looks like an elf, so when I found out that was the name of the first band he was in I about laughed my ass off, just to funny for words!" lmfao lol hahahahaaaaa f***ing brilliant, you my friend have a gift

sorry to get off topic, kinda, but I had to comment

--
Old rockers come and go, but not Oldman Double O

True enough he has it down to a fine art! lol

--
Peace

Scape

Ozzy:"I have no regrets except that I wasn't up to keep Randy (Rhoads) from getting on that plane." (Ozzy Osbourne, Guitar World Issue 37, 2000)

not to mention he does it the best. There is just something about the way he does it that makes it look the 100% right way to do it, every finger is in the correct placing.

--
Tony Iommi = God, his arch angels are Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Walker, Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan, Dave Donato, Glenn Hughes, Ray Gillen, Tony Martin, and Bill Ward (bassically everyone who sang on a song labeled Black Sabbath)

I can go with that as well, I also remember that interview. Like I said I have never gotten the skinny on if Gene or Dio was the first to do the whole devil horns thing, and I am just as happy with the thought that Dio had first dibs on it; after all he is the guy that obviously made it forever fused, associated with his name.
--
Peace

Scape

Ozzy:"I have no regrets except that I wasn't up to keep Randy (Rhoads) from getting on that plane." (Ozzy Osbourne, Guitar World Issue 37, 2000)

I'm pretty sure Dio was the first to introduce it. If you watch the documentary Metal: A Headbangers Journey, he explains it in detail such as perfecting and making it important, and also mentions Gene Simmons.

Ozzyjohn.... those people are very amazing. But they arent Ozzy and they wont be. And in my mind they will never compare! haha. Through all the bulls*** I have gone through Ozzy has been there. I listen to him every day. He and his music are just such a big part of my life that nothing else measures up. Think what you wish but I know that Ozzy totally kicks anyones ass! =)

--
im running fast but getting nowhere.
i see the light but i never get there.
~nightmare~

OJ I was also aware of Dio and the grandmother thing, I was just not sure when he first introduced it to the over all public, if he was doing it with Elf, or did he start doing it when he joined Sabbath, thats where I am uncertain about the whole devil horn thing when it comes to Dio. As for Gene the first memory I have of him doing it I believe is in one of the alive 1 pictures in or on back of the album, not the cover because as you described Gene had his hand in an odd position, but I like you wouldn't call it the devil horns. Its whacked out because I know Gene flashed it around an all, but for the life of me I cant remember when he started doing so. No matter who did it first I will give Ronnie the most due for making it so popular, Ronnie threw that s*** up in the air about fifty times a second, lmao, again I love that little dwarf, he is definitely one of a kind. I remember the first time I seen him I thought damn that boy looks like an elf, so when I found out that was the name of the first band he was in I about laughed my ass off, just to funny for words!

--
Peace

Scape

Ozzy:"I have no regrets except that I wasn't up to keep Randy (Rhoads) from getting on that plane." (Ozzy Osbourne, Guitar World Issue 37, 2000)

Maybe not you, but Freddie Mercury sure could, and IMO Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple/Black Sabbath/Iommi) can destroy him. Glenn's got a very unique and distinct voice, a big range, and if you hear some of his vocal solos (if you dare to go to one of his shows) you'll be stunned. But those guys aren't very metal. But Rob Halford or Tim Owens are f***ing insane too. Ozzy is great but he is one among a sea of great vocalists out there.

--
Tony Iommi = God, his arch angels are Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Walker, Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan, Dave Donato, Glenn Hughes, Ray Gillen, Tony Martin, and Bill Ward (bassically everyone who sang on a song labeled Black Sabbath)

Dio is great but I think that Ozzy is greater.
You cant beat Ozzy. You just cant.

--
im running fast but getting nowhere.
i see the light but i never get there.
~nightmare~

Gene credits himself from one album cover though. Ever see him use it at a concert during that time? Further more his explanation of why he uses it is of the way he holds his pick:
http://www.spectorbass.com/images/artists/GeneSimmonsBlue_lrg.jpg
don't look that way to me :)

Dio gives his history about where he first saw (his Italian grandma) it and why he began to use it everywhere, that being because Ozzy always gave the peace sign and he wanted to do something different from that. From the logic of both these gentlemen I gotta give it to Dio.

But SG, why would you put anything on a pedestal? Didn't you see 40 year old Virgin? Nothing should be placed there...LMAO...

--
Tony Iommi = God, his arch angels are Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Walker, Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan, Dave Donato, Glenn Hughes, Ray Gillen, Tony Martin, and Bill Ward (bassically everyone who sang on a song labeled Black Sabbath)

Dio can be one of the greatest singers of all time and of course his voice is the same 30 years ago. But he is not the fu++ing princ of darkness that OZZY was during the 80s, 90s, and present day. The ozzman can pull you out the insanity within any time with his songs any time he wants. Dio rocks but Ozzy rules!

PS: OZZY Argentina is waiting for you. Trust me...there is nothing like an argentinian fuc++ng wild public!

Same here I love the Dio, in fact I was just watching some interviews with him a few days ago about his days with Sabbath, and his first solo album, I respect him, admire him, only thing is I don't put him on the same pedestal as Ozzy, never have, never will, sorry just how I personally feel, but to each his own guys, to each his own.

And as for the devil horns thing, not that I don't give credit to the Dio, but Gene Simmons did that thing way back in the 70's, or at least a variation of it anyway, maybe even before Dio did it I believe, I mean I am not sure on that 100%, considering Dio was in Elf as far back as 1967, so if Ronnie was doing the devil thing even then, then he is the originator of that little signature move with the devil horns, if not then perhaps Gene was, if anyone has any further info I am curious to know who had their hand at it first, no pun intended, let me know??????????

Later!

Scape

Ozzy:"I have no regrets except that I wasn't up to keep Randy (Rhoads) from getting on that plane." (Ozzy Osbourne, Guitar World Issue 37, 2000)

i f***ing love Dio! i didnt mean it like that. i just love how onmysix gets on these rampages and has the weirdest damn insults you ever heard.

--
The more I see, The less I know.
The more I like to let it go.
[snow : RHCP] :)

Wow...show a little respect to the man that helped shape metal, not to mention the all too common devil horns. I think Dio looks f***ing amazing, and I'm glad he's no Mick Jagger.

oh my god onmysix! hahahhah!
"looks like he came from the a**hole of hell itself."
that was good! im like pissing my pants laughing!!
lmfao! hahahhhh!!

--
The more I see, The less I know.
The more I like to let it go.
[snow : RHCP] :)

yeah gotta admit, I did like "live evil"
Dio is good, very f***in good, but still he ain't no Ozzy
Can't beat the Ozzman

f*** he's an ugly little c*** too, looks like he came from the a**hole of hell itself
Poor little basturd. lmfao lol

Rock on

--
Old rockers come and go, but not Oldman Double O

Dio gave Sabbath a fresh new sound after the decline of Ozzy!! Oooh man I can't wait for the new Heaven and Hell album this year...

Ozzy is the god of rock ozzy is better than anyone i agree with goat ozzy osbourne is better than dio not that i dont respect him

OZZY

ETERNAL

GOD OF ROCK

love in hate hate in love

Well I prefer Ozzy almost over anybody, and my life wouldn't of been any less fulfilled if I had never even heard of the "Dio", as when it comes to Ozzy I cant imagine my life never having heard it, thats just a total bum ass thought if you know what I mean???

Later

Scape

Ozzy:"I have no regrets except that I wasn't up to keep Randy (Rhoads) from getting on that plane." (Ozzy Osbourne, Guitar World Issue 37, 2000)

I can´t believe this discussion is still going on !! Man, you can listen to it all. Iron man, H & H, Holy diver, Bark at the moon, aso, they are all so f***ing great songs, just enjoy them and don´t bother who is the singer. That´s just me.

Yes Ozzy is the reason I still listen to black sabbath today, I respect Dio, but as I have said a million times now, he is no Ozzy!

--
Peace

ScApeGoAt

"Being sober on a bus is, like, totally different than being drunk on a bus." - Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy is a one of creators of "Black Sabbath" and I think, what he is "the true BS vocalist". Dio is an excellent musician, but Ozzy is 1-st!!! As Vince Neil at "Motley Crue"))

--
Screaming at the window... (c) Ozzy

Point taken Doom, I agree with that analogy.

--
Peace

ScApeGoAt

"Being sober on a bus is, like, totally different than being drunk on a bus." - Ozzy Osbourne

Have you failed to read what's been going on here? You are right though about them sticking with their own material. I couldn't see Ozzy performing The Mob Rules either, and I'm sure you would laugh at that too... The reason Dio was performing the Oz era is because he was a replacement in the original Sabbath name...For fans..people who are not obsessed with Ozzy that they will ignore everything after he left and talk s*** about Dio for no apparent reason other than "Ozzy is better." At least back up your statement if your gonna say something stupid like that.

That's like saying if Zakk Wylde left Ozzy today, nobody would be allowed to replace him, therefor, Ozzy should retire. Same deal goes for Sabbath years ago. Oz, Dio and/or Sabbath fans don't want that, do they?

Dio made some good songs with Sabbath like "Heaven and Hell", but Ozzy was the greatest singer Sabbath ever had. Period.

Dio a better singer?....LMFAO!!! dude, you cannot compare ozzy to dio.. i stopped listening to Sabbath after ozzy left because of dio. have you ever heard dio sing paranoid? it's f***ing hysterical... DIo is not the (self proclaimed) "king of rock and roll." i totally disagree with you on this issue...there is no comparison.

I hear ya on killswitch, they are just one of the many new metal bands I don't really go for, but the remake of Holy Diver is a hoot, look up the video on youtube, its beyond cheeseriffic!

Peace

ScApeGoAt

"Being sober on a bus is, like, totally different than being drunk on a bus." - Ozzy Osbourne

where...halifax = Hand_of_Doom.
I'm gonna stick with my old account.

Oops my bad. Hand_of_Doom = where...halifax

I dig...

"If I want to catch one of those shows the closest venue for me is almost 4 hours away, talk about a complete bummer, trust me it is!!"

Yea, it is a bummer. I have to travel 5 hours by bus, plus the costs of the floor tickets and the Ozzfan membership. It cost a s*** load but it's worth it.

No I'm not familiar with Killswitch Engage. And if I think I remember them correctly, I think they suck?? lol. Still, I've gotta hear that song.

Halfex said: I didn't mean to imply that just because Ozzy wasn't the lyricist, it would take away from him overall as an artist, nor would I ever think that. .

I realize that you personally never really made that assumption/statement, but all to often people will manage to mention that trivial fact as if it is somehow a discredit to Ozzy, and many times in the past when it has been brought up, well it inadvertently only manages to come off as kind of a backhanded compliment. To me unless mentioning that fact has any real bearing on the conversation at hand, or is a vital part of the thread, then why even mention it in the first place??? I feel at times it is indeed justified, but at other times, well its just unnecessary if you ask me.

Halfex said: I agree. Unlike you, I didn't get to live those early years. At first, I was into Ozzy, and when I found the link between him and Black Sabbath, jesus f***..it blew my mind. Ect, ect...........

Honestly, I don't like Tony Martin as a singer for Sabbath, just like you and Dio. But I do listen to his era often, mostly because of Tony Iommi. Personally, I could care less how terrible a singer is (to an extent), but I listen to the band as a whole because original members are still in the band, of which I am a fan. Oops, didn't mean Martin is a bad singer, just not right for the Sabs.

I understand your position with how, and in what chronicle order you discovered Ozzy’s music playing a factor into what you think of the later incarnations of Black Sabbath. For me I discovered Ozzy while he was still with Sabbath, and sadly not to long after I had discovered him, and the whole Sabbath thing, he was fired/replaced with Dio. And like I said I bought those albums with Dio, and I was happy with them in the sense that the band was carrying on, but when Dio bailed, I jumped ship for good. OzzyJohn has mentioned many times that I should go back and give Tony Martin another whirl, which I did here awhile back, but as usual as soon as the vocals start I just crumble, and as always it comes down to the fact that I just cant handle it enough to look past it, and within a few short choruses I find myself shutting it completely off. Maybe if you could subtract the vocals entirely I could sit through the great guitar work an all, in fact I am sure I would enjoy the music portion of those songs, but the vocals are way to 80’s out for me, cheesy, and juvenile for me in the end. Sorry OzzyJohn, but you’re a better man than me when it comes to doing all that s***, lmao….

For me its strange when it comes to vocals, there are artists that I listen to & love that most people would pass on because of the whole growling thing, as for me I enjoy it, of course when it really works in conjunction to what the band is doing. But if a band is going to have a traditional vocalist, well then they really have to offer something, either new, or unique in order for me to tune completely in. And I am not saying perfect, just that it has character, and stands out among the competition that’s out there. A vocalist doesn’t have to be perfect in the sense that they can sing any jondra, or any style, just that it has character, and sincerity, for example Les Claypool doesn’t have the ideal vocal sound, and his music is as silly as hell, but it works within the perimeters of his band, and even though it seems light hearted lyrically at times, very often there is a heavier message to be found within. As to some of the old school vocals like, Tony Martin, Dio, or an Axl Rose, that style of vocals has become dated to me, and is now being proven true with the fact that the younger generation is now mimicking it, and finding it cool. As my parents said, about every couple of generations things tend to make a full circle. Since I hated most metal music in the 80’s, this happening with the new generation of bands is not a real pleasurable occurrence for me, and one that I pray will be short to endure lol! So when you say that Dio’s fan base is growing, it is my belief this may be partly the reason as to why.

As to your question of my seeing Ozzy on this latest tour, well I have not seen Ozzy since Ozzfest here in St. Louis, and as for seeing the new tour with Zombie, well it isn't coming. If I want to catch one of those shows the closest venue for me is almost 4 hours away, talk about a complete bummer, trust me it is!!

And ya let me know how my boy sounds, looks, always curious about all that.

I really miss the old fart, I wish that club show was coming here, considering I pitched a fit, asked for this very thing to happen, posted a request for it in the ozzfest portion of the forums as far back as June, titled "Dear Ozzy please read". Now I get a club tour, but it’s a hella trip for me to make in order to do so, it seems I just can’t win! lmao!

PS" Have any of you heard the band Killswitch Engage version of Dio’s "Holy Diver"???? Not to shabby, but I think I prefer the original version,of course!

Throwing my devil horns into the air \m/

Peace

Scape

Woah...that was a lot. My bad..I was picking up on anger, but you've proven me wrong!

I only have time to respond to two of your comments that I feel most important:

Scapegoat said: Now my point is this, how is it that Ozzy should be viewed any differently, why should his accomplishments be any less in anyone’s eyes? They shouldn’t, Ozzy has not only a unique voice, but an incredible amount of charisma, & stage presence more so than any front man dead, or alive. It just makes my ass tired that people throw that out there as if it has any real significance with him being a great vocalist/singer, like his vocals aren’t enough to make him the rock god he is today, that he must lack talent, or is inferior to those that do write their own material.

I didn't mean to imply that just because Ozzy wasn't the lyricist, it would take away from him overall as an artist, nor would I ever think that. Earlier, I was merely pointing out how you compared Dio's lyrics to Ozzy's lyrics, when clearly, Geezer was the lyricist. And it had nothing to do with saying that Ozzy had less talent cause he wasn't a writer. But of course, Ozzy has written his share throughout his career.

Scapegoat said: If you love them both equally, well that’s great for you, you've lost absolutely nothing, but you’re a minority as you might suspect, most prefer Osbourne as opposed to Dio, and that’s just an actual fact.

I agree. Unlike you, I didn't get to live those early years. At first, I was into Ozzy, and when I found the link between him and Black Sabbath, jesus f***..it blew my mind. So, I was a fan of solo Ozzy and Sabbath Ozzy. And because I was into his solo stuff longer, when I found out there were other singers after he left Sabbath, I just dismissed them for years because I was loyal to Ozzy. Out of curiosity, I just kept playing the Dio era to see how he was, even though I had heard it before. Suddenly I became addicted, not only to his vocals, but I had a better appreciation for Tony and the band as well. I find that as each year passes, Dio's fan base grows, escpecially with the recent Heaven and Hell tour and more people are becoming aware of not only Ozzy, but Dio too. Just my opinion...

Honestly, I don't like Tony Martin as a singer for Sabbath, just like you and Dio. But I do listen to his era often, mostly because of Tony Iommi. Personally, I could care less how terrible a singer is (to an extent), but I listen to the band as a whole because original members are still in the band, of which I am a fan. Oops, didn't mean Martin is a bad singer, just not right for the Sabs.

If you're wondering who I prefer, no doubt it's Ozzy, but Ronnie James Dio comes up right behind his ass.

Sorry for my lack of response...I'm pretty tired right now, plus my brain isn't swimming with that many thoughts. I do know what you're saying throughout, and you have maybe changed my perspective on things, but not entirely.

And here's an off topic question. Have you seen Ozzy yet for this tour? If you have, how was he? If you haven't, I'll tell you next month when I see him!! hahah

Well, I'm out. Good night for now and if I'm not here tomorrow, Merry Christmas.

Not angry at all my friend, and I would be flattered if you use my technique, it helps me to keep my rebuttals straight when I am writing them out, as well as when I am proof reading. Also I am sorry if you think I am angry, and sorry if that’s what you’re picking up on, if it’s because I use profanity from time to time, well I apologize but that’s how I roll in real life, and if we was to be seated together one on one I would speak to you in the same manner. Of course then you would understand that I am not angry, because you could hear the tone of my voice and pick up on that fact all on your own. So rest assured, this is a friendly debate, and I am always up to a friendly argument, via my responding to your original post.

Listen I love Iommi, and all the original guys of Sabbath, and as I stated earlier, no one member is solely responsible for the success of Black Sabbath. As for Iommi’s statements that Dio allows him a greater freedom to play guitar, or that he inspires him, I can buy into that to a certain point, but as a fellow guitar player, a lot of the inspiration comes from deep down inside, so Dio may have lite a flame under Iommi’s ass to go for it with a little bit more gusto, especially with his obvious concerns whether long time fans would welcome Dio into the fold, but to say that Ozzy was some kind of hindrance on his guitar time, work, whatever, is kind of a full of s*** statement, and maybe I am taking it out of context, and maybe if I was to actually hear the interview I would understand a bit better, I don’t know??

where...hailfax replied: I don’t see what that is supposed to mean. Are you saying Dio and Iommi are not on good terms with Ozzy these days??? I don't get it...

I know they are on good terms, but each has his own recollection of how things went, and the drug haze that they were all in back then doesn’t help make ones memory all so clear, so what I am saying is Iommi may see things a certain way, as to where others that were there may see it another. And it’s all well and good for Iommi to say how he felt way back then, or what he was thinking at the time, but as time goes by you tend to believe in things that aren’t always 100% built on actual fact, time tends to romanticize things a bit if you get my point. And that goes for all of them, including Mr. Ozzy Osbourne.

Since I have started this discussion/debate with you I couldn’t help but think about it a little more, and I really don’t get Iommi’s statement, or let’s say I am confused by it at the very least. Why? Because one of the major fundamental factors of me loving my Sabbath as much as I did/do wasn’t just purely the vocals of Ozzy Osbourne, it was also due to those long, deep ass instrumentals that Iommi would do on almost every album, and every song. In other words it didn’t get boring, because Iommi would change the direction of the song multiple times through out its duration, via it not getting tiresome, or repetitive. So I personally don’t understand how Iommi could say working with Ozzy, Dio, whomever, had that profound of an effect on how he played, or how he constructed his songs. As for maybe inspiring him by it being new and fresh, thus exciting him, making it easier for him to come up with riffs he was happy with, maybe thats the case, who really knows? Again we could debate this forever, because neither one of us are Iommi, Dio, or Osbourne. I hope you see a little more clearly where it is that I am shooting from, and I am not being mean, just trying not to be bias myself here, if you get what I mean?

Continued.............

where...hailfax replied: Yea, Iommi did call the shots, ect ect…..

Look I am sure that Iommi may have done things differently with Dio, but I don’t think Ozzy and Iommi’s past relationship played all that big of a part in how Iommi choose to play guitar. As for Dio loving lots of guitars, well that’s great, but the same can be as easily said of Osbourne. Ozzy while with Sabbath did not hog the songs and fill them entirely with vocals, per beat, per measure of music; in fact old Sabbath is filled with astounding guitar solos, and riffs, minus any vocals for large periods of time throughout the song. And as for Ozzy solo, he has had some of the most world famous guitarist play for him, and all of them got to show their stuff, so I think its safe to say Ozzy is not as insecure enough as to bully, or mandate how much guitar time, solo time any given guitar play may have, or not have on his albums. Once again am just confused as all hell on this even being a real issue for Iommi, just confused by that statement in general.

Scapegoat said: but if Ozzy is/was so incapable of writing lyrics, or contributing with a co-writer.

where...hailfax replied: Nobody said that.

Look it is brought up here, time & time again that Ozzy has either allowed a fellow band member, or collaborated with another member on the lyrics for his songs. So I was responding to OzzyJohn on that comment. And here is what I am getting at, and maybe it will slow down so many people throwing that fact out there as if it has any real merit. I think it’s safe to say Elvis Presley was the king of rock-n-roll, that his career was incredible, and that his celebrity status goes beyond any that were doing it in his day, all the way up to present day, he is beyond legend. So with that said its no secret that Elvis wrote very few of his own actual songs, most of his library of music was written by someone else or he did covers. Now my point is this, how is it that Ozzy should be viewed any differently, why should his accomplishments be any less in anyone’s eyes? They shouldn’t, Ozzy has not only a unique voice, but an incredible amount of charisma, & stage presence more so than any front man dead, or alive. It just makes my ass tired that people throw that out there as if it has any real significance with him being a great vocalist/singer, like his vocals aren’t enough to make him the rock god he is today, that he must lack talent, or is inferior to those that do write their own material. So if you don’t look at him as any less for having out side help, or co-writers, then why the f*** is it even brought up? This also confuses the s*** right out of me, am I alone???

Continued.............

where...hailfax replied: He did go further in his career, with the Sabs.

I am talking about from the beginning of his career obviously, all the way up to present day. Dio is recognized, but I would hope you’re aware enough of the fact that he is no Osbourne. I think his being in Sabbath kind of f***ed up the longevity of his career, his being taken as seriously as he should have been. Dio, like a lot of bands of yester year have been left behind in a sense, metal matured, it grew and has evolved. Guys like Dio have been dropped by the wayside for artists like Tool, Pantera, or a present day Lamb of God. Dio is an old flame from the past, and I am sure record sales reflect that fact, I’m sorry but I find it hard to buy that Dio has managed to outsell any of these mentioned artists in the last few years he has tried to stay a figure in today’s metal scene. I love Dio, I do admire him, but I am not naive in my view of the modern metal scene, do you understand?

As for living in the past, well that’s kind of funny, and as for my age playing a factor as to how I recall things, sure it plays a small part in it all, but in my defense I have read many interviews throughout my lifetime, and I also exercise my own personal judgment on the information I have acquired. There have been many times I have heard Ozzy blow s*** off, and thought just that, he’s talking out of his ass again, and that’s the thing you have to keep in mind, we all talk s*** from time to time. If you choose to believe all that you hear from any one of these artists as the absolute gospel on how things went, then my advice is you shouldn’t allow yourself to be that gullible, because you can’t always stock in what you hear, or read, no matter who the author may be. I am not asking you to pick sides, I am saying think for yourself, weigh the information out and come to your own conclusions on things, with that being done obviously opinions and views will differ, because neither of us were there first hand, who knows what things may have occurred during the turbulent years of Black Sabbath, all those facts we may never truly know for sure.

Continued.............

where...hailfax replied: It's not ridiculous to compare the two knowing that they both have so many qualities. I can easily listen to Ozzy or Dio all day ect ect………..

Well I find it hard to compare any artist directly up against another; it just ends up not being entirely fair to do so. Just as every one of us is different, unique, so is every musician or artist. And I love them all for often entirely different reasons, and most being from different jondras of music, and that’s when it gets really sticky for me. I myself have never made a collation between Dio & Osbourne other than fronting Sabbath, other than that they are two completely different animals. That’s why I stated that I wish Dio hadn’t of filled Ozzy’s shoes, if he hadn’t I wouldn’t be having this wearisome conversation with you now.

I am a fan of the band, but you are correct I am a major fan of Osbourne, in other words when I first heard Sabbath it wasn’t just the killer riffs of Iommi that grabbed me by the boo boo, it wasn’t the incredible bass playing of geezer Butler, or the tribal drumming of Bill Ward, thats alone is not what had me coming back time & time again, nope! It was those vocals that made my hair stand up on end, and it is still true to this day, just as Lennon had, there is something special about Ozzy’s voice, for whatever reason it just speaks to the masses, and I cant imagine going my entire life not having known of it, as I am sure I’m not alone in that analogy..

I disagree with you on the music of Dio with Sabbath, sorry friend but if I had but one album to have to listen to for all eternity and my two choices to pick from were Paranoid, or Heaven and Hell, well Paranoid wins it hands down!

If you love them both equally, well that’s great for you, you've lost absolutely nothing, but you’re a minority as you might suspect, most prefer Osbourne as opposed to Dio, and that’s just an actual fact. For me I followed Sabbath a while after Ozzy, the Dio albums, but to be honest I bailed after that. Call me shallow if you want, but as awesome as Iommi and the band were, it wasn’t enough for me without Osbourne being there. And it would appear except for a few of you, that is most commonly the case, some of you have continued to remain a fan of the Sabbath catalog, but I just couldn’t find the same satisfaction in it after not just Ozzy being fired, but then Dio was replaced. In my opinion I feel that Iommi should have dropped using the Sabbath name. From what I have heard, his excuse is that he couldn’t due to label contracts. Whatever the case may be, I have always felt that Iommi kind of beat an old horse to death, and that he would have been taken far more seriously if he had dropped the Sabbath name and just went solo. But again we all have our own personal views on all that, and it’s safe to say no one fan feels exactly the same.

An I was fully aware of that fact Ozzyjohn, lmao @ the whole children of the sea/grave issue. Damn! I needed a good laugh, and that sure did it!

Later

Scape

The Dio song is Children Of The Sea

--
Tony Iommi = God, his arch angels are Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Walker, Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan, Dave Donato, Glenn Hughes, Ray Gillen, Tony Martin, and Bill Ward (bassically everyone who sang on a song labeled Black Sabbath)