Heaven & Hell – Breaking Out of Heaven (2007–2009) Super Deluxe Box Set Review
Every now and again a box set comes along that feels like more than just a collection of music. It feels like a moment in time being preserved — a story being told again, but this time with the benefit of hindsight, emotion, and, in this case, a real sense of loss. Heaven & Hell – Breaking Out of Heaven (2007–2009) is exactly that. This isn’t just another deluxe edition to slot onto the shelf; it’s a tribute to a band that found a new identity, a new energy, and perhaps most importantly, a new sense of purpose during their final chapter together.
Opening the box, what immediately strikes me is how comfortably this sits alongside the Black Sabbath Super Deluxe editions. The design is consistent, familiar, and reassuring. It feels like it belongs — because it does. This may have been released under the Heaven & Hell name, but make no mistake, this is part of the Black Sabbath story. The politics of the time may have dictated the name change, but the spirit, the musicianship, and the legacy are all deeply rooted in Sabbath history. Holding this set in your hands, you’re very aware of that connection.
Inside, everything has been thoughtfully put together. You’ve got The Devil You Know, the live recordings from Radio City Hall and Wacken, the Blu-ray, the book, the tour programme, and the poster — all presented with care and respect. There’s a sense that this hasn’t been rushed out; it’s been curated. And that matters, especially when you’re dealing with material that carries this much emotional weight.
Let’s talk about the music, because ultimately, that’s what this is all about. There’s no mention anywhere of remastering or remixing, and honestly, that’s absolutely fine. This material isn’t crying out for improvement. It already sounds fantastic. I went straight in with “Bible Black,” one of my favourite tracks, and compared it with earlier versions I own. There’s no drop in quality here — it still sounds as powerful, as heavy, and as immersive as it did when it was first released. Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking everything needs to be remastered to justify a reissue, but this is a good reminder that great recordings don’t need fixing.
The Devil You Know remains, for me, one of the strongest albums associated with the Sabbath family tree. It’s a genuinely heavy record, but more than that, it’s an angry one. There’s a tension running through it, a reflection of Ronnie James Dio’s view of the world at that time. I remember interviews where he talked about the state of things and how that fed into the writing, and listening now, it feels just as relevant — perhaps even more so. Tracks like “Bible Black,” “Follow the Tears,” and “Eating the Cannibals” don’t just showcase a band performing at a high level; they capture a band with something to say.
The live material adds another dimension entirely. Radio City Hall captures the band in full flow, revisiting the Dio-era catalogue with confidence and power. There’s a sense of freedom here that I always felt came from using the Heaven & Hell name — they weren’t tied to expectations of playing the Ozzy-era classics, and that allowed them to fully embrace the music they had created together. Songs like “Children of the Sea” and “Neon Knights” sound revitalised, re-energised, and completely at home in this setting.
Wacken, though, is something else. Knowing what Ronnie James Dio was going through at that time, it’s almost impossible to watch or listen to it without feeling a lump in your throat. There is no sign of weakness in the performance. His voice is still commanding, still expressive, still unmistakably Dio. It’s an extraordinary document of a performer giving everything, even when facing unimaginable personal challenges. And musically, the band are locked in. Tony Iommi’s guitar sound is immense — absolutely crushing — and the chemistry between the players is undeniable. You can’t help but feel that they were in the middle of something special, something that could have continued to evolve if circumstances had allowed.
For me, the Blu-ray is the real standout element of this set. If you’re wondering whether this is worth upgrading from older versions, this is where the argument becomes very strong. The visual quality is noticeably better than the original DVDs. Yes, it’s upscaled, but the clarity, the detail, the overall presentation — it all adds to the experience. Being able to actually see Dio performing with this band, in this era, with this level of quality, is incredibly important. It transforms the set from being a listening experience into something far more immersive.
The book takes a slightly different approach compared to some other box sets. Rather than presenting a straightforward, chronological narrative, it’s built from a collage of interviews, archive material, and reflections from different points in time. At first, it can feel a little fragmented, but once you settle into it, it becomes a fascinating way of piecing together the story. You’re hearing voices from across decades — Tony, Geezer, more recent reflections — all contributing to a broader understanding of what Heaven & Hell meant, both at the time and in retrospect.
So, who is this set for? That’s always the key question. If you already own the original releases, then you’re really looking at this as an upgrade — for the Blu-ray, for the packaging, for the convenience of having everything in one place. But it’s also worth remembering just how much time has passed. We’re talking nearly twenty years since some of this material first appeared. There will be listeners who have discovered Dio, Sabbath, or heavy metal more recently, and for them, this set is an ideal entry point. It brings together everything from this era in one cohesive package.
The comparison between the CD/Blu-ray version and the vinyl set is an interesting one. The vinyl edition looks beautiful — no question about that — and for collectors, it will be incredibly tempting. But the absence of the Blu-ray is, for me, significant. The visual element is such an important part of this release that it feels like something is missing without it. Personally, if I had to choose, this is the version I would go for because of that.
Price is always going to be part of the conversation with sets like this. At around £100, it’s not insignificant, and I completely understand why some people might hesitate. But I also think it’s important to look at what you’re getting, and perhaps more importantly, what this represents. This isn’t just about adding another box to the shelf. It’s about reconnecting with a body of work that captures Ronnie James Dio at a remarkable point in his career, working alongside musicians who were equally inspired and driven.
And this is where the emotional aspect comes in. We’ve lost Dio. We’ve lost Ozzy. These are not just names in the history books — they are artists who shaped the lives of so many of us through their music. Holding this set, listening to it, watching it, there’s a real sense of appreciation for what they created and what they left behind.
Is it essential? If you’re a fan of Dio, Heaven & Hell, or this era of heavy metal, then I would say yes — absolutely. If you already own everything and you’re happy with it, then maybe take a moment and ask yourself when you last played it. Because sometimes, a release like this isn’t just about owning the music again — it’s about rediscovering it, experiencing it in a new way, and falling in love with it all over again.
ORDER THE HEAVEN AND HELL CD / BLURAY BOX SET
ORDER THE HEAVEN AND HELL VINYL BOX SET
And if that happens, then this box set has done exactly what it was meant to do.
I already own the Devil You Know and the Live at Wacken, I’ve been trying to obtain the Radio City recording for a few year’s now. But the least expensive I’ve seen for Radio City is around forty bucks, doesn’t justify an extra twenty for stuff I already own. At least do a new mix on radio city, make it worth my while. All the books and poster are nice, and I don’t own a Blue Ray player. I remember when these sets used to give you a choice between Blue Ray and regular DVD. But that doesn’t happen anymore. Maybe I’ll get the streaming Radio City and burn it onto disc. Then I’m only out twelve bucks.