Round 1 was a draw, Round 2 went to Ozzy, now on to Round 3:

Live Evil VS Speak of the Devil

Two solid, occasionally inspired, live albums. For Sabbath it would be the end of the Dio-era line-up for the next 9 years. For Ozzy it would be the only album with Rudy Sarzo on bass, Tommy Aldridge on drums (who would later get credit once again for an album he didn't play on with Bark at the Moon), and Brad Gillis on guitar.

Sabbath was a vital, current act on Live Evil, while Ozzy was going retro with an All Sabbath set on Speak of the Devil.

Which album is better (or which album do you like more), and why?

Correct me if I am wrong, but if memory serves wasn't Speak of the Devil all Sabbath songs due to a contract issue?

Back in the day I was solidly in Ozzy's camp and wouldn't even consider listening to Live Evil. I remember the huge fold-out album cover, and translating the runic code around Ozzy's picture.
After Holy Diver I became more interested in RJD and started listening to his Rainbow albums and of course, Black Sabbath albums. The 20 minute Heaven and Hell medley and Iommi's extended guitar solo blew anything on Speak of the Devil away. And I've never listened to that album since.

Live Evil is more interesting just because it has a lot of familiar songs sung by a different singer.

live evil by a mile... Just listen to Ronnie's take on "Black Sabbath", "War Pigs", and "NIB" ... Freakin incredible. No offence to Rudy, Brad and Tommy but Speak of the Devil is just Sabbath Songs performed by an inferior band.

Live Evil's probably got the edge as Dio is in top form, but I always really enjoyed Speak of the Devil, even though it's sort of a throwaway. And I'm a Rudy Sarzo fan.

I'd go with Live Evil, but I don't think it's one of the great live albums or anything. I can see Ozzy's reasons for doing an all-Sabbath set, going back to his roots after the death of Rhoads. I don't listen to either very much.

LIVE EVIL, as it's a more "interesting" album to me. Wasn't the SotD tour the one where Ozzy had midget lynchings on stage? Real subtle there.

I like Ronnie's approach to the "classic" Sabbath songs, as well as the energy of the new songs. On the other hand, Sarzo, Gillis, and Aldridge were one hell of a backing band. And "Live Evil" basically ended Dio/Sabbath, allegedly over Dio sneaking into the mixing booth and upping his vocals or something.

Still, I'll give it to "Live Evil" but it's not by a whole helluva lot.

Actually he only recorded it due to pressures from his record label. He's publically disowned it and it's been deleted from his USA/North American catalog.

I really like both of these live albums.

Sabbath's is the heavier set - they are that tank just steamrolling over the audience. Pure destructive force playing some great songs.

Ozzy's album shows a leaner, more streamlined band playing a more energetic set, but it lacks that Sabbath sound. Still it's a fun album to listen to.

Thanks to this and the Devil You Know thread, I finally picked up the Rules of Hell box set and gave Live Evil another listen. It's way better than I remember it, and the remastering is great. So I'm giving the edge to Live Evil this round.

you should continue with Holy Diver, vs Bark at The Moon vs Born Again

Pfft! I wonder how that would turn out....