Classic Albums - Heaven And Hell
Song Lessons in this Course
Song-by-Song Guitar Lessons Taught by Danny Gill
This comprehensive Heaven And Hell guitar lesson course breaks down every track from the album, giving you a masterclass in Iommi's signature style. You will learn the iconic riffs, the powerful rhythm parts, and the soaring, emotive solos from the following tracks:
• Neon Knights: The blistering opener, a masterclass in speed and precision.
• Children of the Sea: The epic, dynamic track that perfectly blends acoustic textures with crushing heavy metal.
• Lady Evil: A hard-driving, blues-infused rocker with a memorable main riff.
• Heaven and Hell: The legendary title track, a dynamic journey through light and shade, featuring one of Iommi's most celebrated solos.
• Wishing Well: A high-energy track with a driving, positive feel and complex rhythmic changes.
• Die Young: A powerful, fast-paced track showcasing Iommi's ability to craft intricate, heavy riffs.
• Walk Away: A more melodic, mid-tempo track that highlights Iommi's use of space and tone.
• Lonely Is the Word: The album closer, a slow, heavy blues masterpiece with a deeply expressive, soulful solo.
This Course is Ideal for Players Who...
This course is ideal for players who:
• Have a solid grasp of basic guitar techniques (chords, scales, basic rhythm) and are ready to tackle intermediate to advanced heavy metal material.
• Are passionate about Black Sabbath and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and want to learn the authentic, note-for-note parts.
• Want to move beyond standard pentatonic soloing and incorporate more melodic, modal, and expressive techniques into their lead playing.
• Are looking for guitar lessons that focus on the foundational riffs and techniques of 80s rock guitar and the heavy metal genre.
• Are ready to experiment with lower tunings (Eb Standard) and understand how tuning affects tone, feel, and technique.
What will I achieve from completing this course?
By completing this course, you will not only be able to play the entire Heaven and Hell album, but you will also gain a profound understanding of the techniques that underpin modern heavy metal. This is essential learning for anyone interested in 80s rock guitar lessons.
Key Achievements & Skills Gained:
• Master Iommi's Riff Construction: Learn how to use the Eb Standard tuning and the Tritone interval to create massive, dark, and instantly recognisable heavy metal riffs.
• Develop Dynamic Soloing: Understand the use of the Aeolian and Harmonic Minor scales to craft solos that are both technically proficient and deeply melodic and emotive, moving beyond simple pentatonics.
• Improve Rhythm and Timing: Tackle complex time changes and dynamic shifts, particularly in tracks like "Heaven and Hell" and "Children of the Sea," significantly tightening your rhythm playing.
• Expand Your Technique Vocabulary: Gain proficiency in key techniques like palm-muting, heavy vibrato, string bending in lower tunings, and Iommi's unique approach to legato and phrasing.
• Achieve the Classic Tone: Learn about the gear and settings used to capture the thick, mid-heavy, and powerful tone that defines the Heaven and Hell sound.
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** Disclaimer **
*This product is not endorsed by or made in association with
Black Sabbath
nor does
Black Sabbath
perform or appear on this course.*
Heaven and Hell by Black Sabbath: A Guitarist's Perspective
Heaven and Hell, released in 1980, is the ninth studio album by the English rock band Black Sabbath, featuring Ronnie James Dio on vocals. This album found a different voice for Sabbath, and heralded a new age for hard rock. It also marked a significant turning point for the band, as it was the first without original vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. Lead guitarist Tony Iommi, the creative force behind Black Sabbath's unique sound, shines throughout the album, displaying his prowess as a guitarist.
From fast and sophisticated tracks such as Neon Knights and Die Young, to the subtleties of Lonely is the Word and Children of the Sea, Heaven and Hell is a true masterpiece of an album. This licklibrary guitar lesson course provides Iommi fans with a rare chance to learn the full depth of his guitar genius. In this guitar course, Danny Gill guides you through Tony Iommi’s jaw dropping guitar parts with guitar lessons that put you in the shoes of the godfather of metal himself.
Track by Track Analysis
1. Neon Knights
Starting the album with an up-tempo, riff-driven track, "Neon Knights" is a testament to Iommi's powerful guitar work. Featuring fast alternate picking, Iommi uses the E Aeolian mode, incorporating power chords and palm muting to create a punchy rhythm. The solo contains string bending, legato, and pinched harmonics, which adds to the song's intensity.
2. Children of the Sea
"Children of the Sea" showcases Iommi's dynamic range and compositional skills. The intro uses clean, finger-picked arpeggios in the key of D, with the verses dominated by barre chords. The solo in D Aeolian incorporates vibrato, slides, and double stops, providing an emotional contrast to the heavier parts of the song.
3. Lady Evil
"Lady Evil" features a catchy, syncopated riff, employing syncopated rhythms and galloping rhythms in the key of A. The solos are mainly based around A Dorian and A Aeolian, with the use of trills, hammer-ons, and pull-offs to create a fluid sound.
4. Heaven and Hell
The title track is a masterpiece that encompasses all aspects of Iommi's guitar prowess. With a heavy, chromatic main riff in C#, the song displays Iommi's ability to create tension through chromaticism. The solo, based on the C# Aeolian and Dorian modes, uses techniques such as sweep picking, octave melodies, and unison bends to create an unforgettable listening experience.
5. Wishing Well
"Wishing Well" features a lively, bluesy riff in G Major, highlighting Iommi's ability to incorporate elements of blues into his playing. The use of bluesy bends and double-stop bends during the solo adds a touch of soul to the track. Additionally, the song features arpeggiated chord progressions and hybrid picking in the verses.
6. Die Young
"Die Young" is an energetic track that showcases Iommi's ability to craft memorable riffs. The song starts with an ethereal arpeggiated intro using arpeggios and harmonics, quickly transitioning into a fast-paced, galloping rhythm in A minor. The solo section features tremolo picking and whammy bar tricks, creating an exciting and dynamic listening experience.
7. Walk Away
"Walk Away" is a straightforward rock song with an infectious groove. Iommi's guitar work on this track is more restrained, utilising power chords and simple chord progressions in E minor. The solo, based on the E minor pentatonic scale, features hammer-ons, pull-offs, and tasteful vibrato, demonstrating Iommi's ability to adapt his playing to suit the song's style.
8. Lonely is the Word
The closing track, "Lonely is the Word," is a slow-burning, bluesy piece in B minor, highlighting Iommi's versatility as a guitarist. The song features finger-picking and Travis picking techniques, creating a more delicate sound. The solo, which employs the B minor pentatonic scale, showcases Iommi's emotional playing through string bending, vibrato, and sustain.
Tony Iommi: Lead Guitarist and Creative Force
Tony Iommi, a founding member of Black Sabbath, is a master of blending diverse influences into his unique guitar style. His innovative approach to heavy metal guitar playing, characterised by dark, heavy riffs and blues-inspired solos, is the driving force behind Black Sabbath's sound. On Heaven and Hell, Iommi's contributions are particularly noteworthy, as he adapts to the presence of Ronnie James Dio on vocals while maintaining the band's unmistakable identity.
Iommi's skilful use of a variety of guitar techniques allows him to create a diverse array of textures, moods, and atmospheres throughout Heaven and Hell. From driving, up-tempo rockers like "Neon Knights" to the brooding, introspective "Lonely is the Word," Iommi's playing is consistently engaging and impressive.
Overall, Heaven and Hell is an essential album for guitarists and heavy metal fans alike. Tony Iommi's virtuosic guitar work, combined with Dio's soaring vocals, makes it a standout entry in Black Sabbath's discography. By examining the techniques and musical choices used throughout the album, guitarists can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Iommi's contributions to the world of rock and heavy metal.
Final thoughts
In summary, Heaven and Hell is a landmark album for Black Sabbath, showcasing the band's new lineup and a revitalised sound that would go on to influence countless musicians. The album is a treasure trove for guitarists, offering an array of memorable riffs, powerful solos, and diverse techniques that have solidified Tony Iommi's status as one of the greatest guitarists in the history of rock music. Whether you're a fan of heavy metal, classic rock, or just great guitar playing, Heaven and Hell is an album you'll want to explore and appreciate.
NB: PERFORMANCE FOOTAGE NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS COURSE
Guitar Techniques Used in Heaven and Hell
Throughout the album, Iommi employs a variety of guitar techniques, including:
- Alternate picking
- Vibrato
- Legato
- Pinched harmonics
- Double-stop bends
- Unison bends
- Trills
- Tremolo picking
- Chord progressions
- Arpeggios
- Slides
- Hammer-ons
- Pull-offs
- Power chords
- Palm muting
- Barre chords
- Sweep picking
- Finger-picking
- Hybrid picking
- Travis picking
- Sustain
- String bending
- Syncopated rhythms
- Galloping rhythms
- Bluesy bends
- Octave melodies
- Chromaticism
Click on any of the links to view more in depth information about these techniques, and to find more Licklibrary lessons to develop these skills.
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Danny Gill
Danny Gill is, without a doubt, the most loved tutor by our community. With an incredible array of DVDs and web lessons for LickLibrary covering a wide variety of topics all of which he covers with incredible detail, it's no wonder he carries as much respect as he does. As...