Dio Goes Through Heaven And Hell To Reunite With Former Sabbath Mates

The Ronnie James Dio-fronted version of Black Sabbath plan on reuniting for a tour early next year under the name Heaven And Hell, which should no doubt bring tears of joy to fans of the hobbit wizard.

The comprehensive black-sabbath.com fan site, as well as the websites for Dio, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler all posted this announcement this week:

"The highly anticipated reunion of Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward appears to be shaping up and taking a new form. After various promoters have approached their respective management; the guys have started taking all of this very seriously, as they have wanted to reunite for some time now. It looks as if the new shape may be that of Heaven and Hell — that's the moniker that the band is likely to use on their new venture. If all goes well, Heaven and Hell should be hitting the road in early 2007."

Dio replaced Ozzy Osbourne as Sabbath's singer in 1979 before leaving in 1982 to front his own band, but he returned to take over for Tony Martin at the microphone for the metal pioneers in 1991 and lasted until 1993. The first incarnation of the band with Dio (whom Iommi is reportedly said to have called a "little Hitler") recorded the Heaven And Hell album in 1980, so this new edition have elected to adopt that as their name. Dio and Iommi are said to be writing songs together in England at the moment.

Don't think that the Ozzman has been abandoned by his fellow iron men, however. Osbourne apparently has plans to get back together with the band's other founders under the Sabbath banner next year.

"Tony Iommi and Ronnie Dio are working on a project together which has nothing to do with Black Sabbath," said a message on Osbourne's website.

"There is only one Black Sabbath. Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill will be touring late next year along with new Black Sabbath album. However, Ozzy wishes Tony and Ronnie much success in their project together."

Sabbath's other former singers — Dave Walker, Ian Gillan, Ron Keel, Dave "Donut" Donato, Glenn Hughes, Ray Gillen and Rob Halford (and don't even get us started on Jeff Fenholt) — haven't yet chimed in with their two cents' worth.