On the original “Live Evil” CD edition from 1989 the song ‘War Pigs’ had to be omitted, because the whole double album didn’t fit on a single CD. So the “Deluxe Edition”, which got released in 2010, made perfect sense, as it came as a two disc version, featuring “Live Evil” in its full glory, for the first time on a silver disc. So, what does the newly released “40th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition” additionally has to offer now? Well, the answer is pretty simple: a lot! The whole package comes as a boxset, which immediately reminded me of the amazing cassette tape boxes that the small yet fine label Darkness Shall Rise Productions is releasing for quite a while now. But more about that in a couple of minutes. Let’s focus here on the music first. This box includes two double CD versions of “Live Evil”: a newly remastered version of the original album by Andy Pearce and a completely new remix by Wyn Davis, which is based on the original analogue multi-tracks. To me personally this remix is a lot more exciting, since it turned out way better than expected, and I would even dare to say that it’s more impressive than the original. You hear a lot more details now and also the whole live atmosphere comes across way better. Everything just seems to sound more alive, with more power and still perfectly balanced. Sometimes I wasn’t even sure anymore, whether or not it is really the same recordings that were used for it. To me the original album always left a lot to be desired in that respect, so this remix was not only a great idea, it also makes the whole record shine a lot more now. Both editions are housed in gatefold cardboard sleeves, that even come with transparent plastic innnersleeves, which is pretty nice, as it prevents the CDs from getting scratched. However, it would also have been nice, if the cardboard sleeves had been manufactured in a bit higher quality, as they always look a bit unfolded… But since both are “just” part of a boxset, it’s ok with me. While the remastered version visually comes up with the original album cover and design, the remix features a totally different cover artwork, new layout and different pictures inside. I’m not really sure if any previously released edition of “Live Evil” ever revealed the following info, but to me it’s the first time that I get to see when and where each song was actually recorded. So this is definitely a nice addition to the sleeve of the remix edition as well. The reason why I mentioned the Darkness Shall Rise Productions boxsets earlier, is the size of the boxset (A5 format) and all the included additional goodies. First of all there’s a full color “Mob Rules” tourposter replica (A2 size), then you’ll find a 24 pages tourbook replica from the 1982 “Mob Rules” tour, and last but not least a 60 pages hardcover book, which includes old ads, pictures, magazine clippings and liner notes by Hugh Gilmour. For this book he used quotes of Toni Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ronnie James Dio and Vinnie Appice from various magazines (Kerrang, Sounds, Melody Maker, Terrorizer, Metal Hammer etc.), compiled them with some liner notes from the previous deluxe editions of “Mob Rules” (2010), “Live Evil” (2010) and “Dehumanizer” (2011) and also added some excerpts from books about BLACK SABBATH. All of this was sorted in a chronolgical order and completed with parts of a newly conducted interview that he did himself with Toni Iommi in May 2022. So, you’ll get a very good overview about what happened within the BLACK SABBATH camp ever since Ronnie James Dio joined the band until the time when this line-up reunited as HEAVEN AND HELL in 2006 up to his tragic death in 2010. So, if you’re a BLACK SABBATH fan in general or a fan of the Dio era in particular, this is definitely a highly recommened release! For more info please visit www.facebook.com/blacksabbath, www.bmg.com