The Rules of Hell cover

The Rules of Hell

Black Sabbath · 2008

220 min · 42 tracks · hard rock · heavy metal · doom metal

A thunderous amalgamation of classic heavy metal riffs and haunting melodies that evoke dark atmospheres.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic progression with peaks
  • haunting melodies for deep focus
  • wave-like pacing for immersive listening
  • dark atmospheres for introspection
  • cathartic release through intensity

Maybe skip if you want

  • seeking quick, punchy tracks
  • prefer light, upbeat sounds

Where this album fits

Themes
Dio-era legacy· dark atmospheres· heavy metal rebellion
Career context
Released on July 22, 2008, 'The Rules of Hell' captures Black Sabbath's legacy during their reunion phase after years of lineup changes. This compilation features key tracks from the Dio era, showcasing their evolution beyond the original lineup while appealing to both old fans and new listeners alike.
Stylistic neighbors
Candlemass· Electric Wizard· Pentagram
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Sad Wings of Destiny by Judas Priest — Shares the same heavy metal rebellion and dark lyrical themes with soaring melodies.
Epicus Doomicus Metallicus by Candlemass — Captures a similar doom-laden atmosphere and haunting melodies that define the genre.
Holy Diver by Dio — Explores dark themes with powerful vocals and heavy metal instrumentation, akin to Sabbath's Dio era.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Neon Knights 3:53
  • 2 Children of the Sea 5:34
  • 3 Lady Evil 4:26
  • 4 Heaven and Hell 6:59
  • 5 Wishing Well 4:07
  • 6 Die Young 4:45
  • 7 Walk Away 4:25
  • 8 Lonely Is the Word 5:51

Disc 2

  • 1 Turn Up the Night 3:42
  • 2 Voodoo 4:32
  • 3 The Sign of the Southern Cross 7:47
  • 4 E5150 2:51
  • 5 The Mob Rules 3:15
  • 6 Country Girl 4:02
  • 7 Slipping Away 3:46
  • 8 Falling off the Edge of the World 5:03
  • 9 Over and Over 5:29

Disc 3

  • 1 E5150 2:22
  • 2 Neon Knights 4:36
  • 3 N.I.B. 5:08
  • 4 Children of the Sea 6:08
  • 5 Voodoo 5:57
  • 6 Black Sabbath 8:38
  • 7 War Pigs 9:19
  • 8 Iron Man 7:19

Disc 4

  • 1 The Mob Rules 4:12
  • 2 Heaven and Hell 11:58
  • 3 The Sign of the Southern Cross / Heaven and Hell (continued) 7:15
  • 4 Paranoid 3:46
  • 5 Children of the Grave 5:25
  • 6 Fluff 1:11

Disc 5

  • 1 Computer God 6:14
  • 2 After All (The Dead) 5:41
  • 3 TV Crimes 4:02
  • 4 Letters From Earth 4:16
  • 5 Master of Insanity 5:55
  • 6 Time Machine 4:15
  • 7 Sins of the Father 4:46
  • 8 Too Late 6:54
  • 9 I 5:13
  • 10 Buried Alive 4:53
  • 11 Time Machine (Wayne’s World version) 4:18

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata