The Contrarians - Episode 62: Black Sabbath Dehumanizer

Which Dio/Sabbath album is your favorite and why? Let us know! Also get your voice heard and join our discussions over at www.patreon.com/contrarians or support us at ko-fi.com/thecontrarians

"The Devil You Know" is my favorite Black Sabbath album with Dio. I don't care that they changed the name of the band to Heaven & Hell for that album...it's still Black Sabbath.

This lady could not be more wrong. I like all the songs with Time Machine being my favorite.

I'm with Marco, Dehumanizer is a masterpiece beginning to end, I, Computer God, Buried Alive and TV Crimes are some of my favorite Sabbath tunes. In fact the song I would be in my top 3. The solos on Computer God are very well done in my opinion and I don't feel like he's copying anybody, sounds like Iommi to me. Not sure where the "poppy" comments come from, there's nothing poppy on Dehumanizer. And I actually prefer the Wayne's World version of Time Machine.

I liked this episode. It's my first episode. Dawn takes a critic approach to Dehumanizer that most of us Sabbath fans cannot because of our "condition". Great podcast

Dawn definitely justifies her points very well. She’s also a hard fan to please it seems. ‘Sin’s of the Father’ is the unsung hero of this album, due to the middle vocal section build up when Ronnie builds up with - ‘They call it mystery, but any fool can see..’ Anyone?! 🤷🏽… Fkn amazing 🤩, blows me away every time. Every song rules hard. My fav of their whole catalogue.

Nice to see Dawn again in a video, I remember the really cool DIO discussion between her and Pete over at SOT. I really like Dehumanizer, though I can't put it quite on the template of H&H and Mob Rules.

YES. Yes yes yes yes yes. I LOVE Dehumanizer! It is not only my favorite Dio Era Sabbath album, it's my favorite Sabbath album overall! It's got some of Ronnie's best singing and lyrics, some of Tony's best riffs and solos, and is SO heavy. Reinhold Mack's production is heavy and metallic and suits the music so perfectly.

Loved Dawn's review! She had me roaring with laughter and she's so spot on.

Dehumanizer has some great songs on it, but there are also a number of, shall we say, not so strong tracks in the package. Compare that to Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules where virtually every track is top tier and there's no question in my mind that Dehumanizer is simply not as good. Heavy? Yes. As good? No.

Dehumanizer has also grown on me. In fact, the 2009 Wacken version of "I" is now in my top 20 songs. Just crushing.

You know, after watching this video, I went back and listened to this album and man, I get what your saying Marco. I believe this album is extremely underrated. I think the reason why it holds up so well is the production still sounds fresh and current. As well as the social commentary in the lyrics. I totally disagree with Dawn on that solo in Too late. I think it's genius. To me it kind of emulates that sound of an evil spirit or dark forces being unleashed. Excellent album and great episode. Thanks guys. 🤘

Dawn is right, the beginning of "Sins of the Father" sounds Beatlesque, it reminds me of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"...

Not only best Sabbath with Dio album, but my all time favourite album by any artist: The mighty MOB RULES! Fantastic playing, stellar artwork, best singing that Dio has ever done and a beautiful dark production (aah, those bassdrums, just gorgeous,,,). all the other Sabbath/Dio albums are almost just as great, almost...

Think Dawn meant the riff from Master of Insanity resembles ZEP'S The Wanton Song. I also think that riff is similar to Lady of the Lake from Rainbow.

I enjoyed this discussion. While I love Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules more, I am definitely a big fan of Dehumanizer. My views of the album are definitely on the Marco side, though it is great to hear another perspective. Dehumanizer is an album that has grown on me over the years. Every member of the band is crushing it. I imagine that the tension in the band only added to the intensity of the album. I struggle with Tony Martin, so it was great to have Dio back on board, however briefly. My favorite tracks include Master of Insanity, I, Computer God, and After All (The Dead).

Another great debate. I have to agree with you on this one, I love Dehumanizer, BUT, it still ranks lower for me than H&H, Mob and Born Again...but higher than any of the Tony Martin, Glen Hughs and last two Ozzy albums. I don't think I could choose a single fave Sabbath album though...maybe Sabotage or Master. Maybe? Lol! I love Dawn and her straight forward attitude though and respect the hell out of her opinion. She made a great counter point, but I like the entire album. Looking forward to the next vid. 🤘🤘

I like Mob Rules best. Love Vinnys drumming and especially the sound. Beefy prodction compared to what I see as a very "thin" sound on H&H As far as Dehumanizer......eh. Bought it when it came out. I knew there was trouble when I saw the album cover. Couldn't get into it. Tried though.

Born Again is the Heaviest album.

Dehumanizer is my favorite Black Sabbath album. The Dio era is my favorite era.