Black Sabbath and Dio Drummer Bringing Supergroup to Buffalo

The drummer of two of the most iconic rock bands of all time is set to rock Buffalo this summer. Vinny Appice of Black Sabbath and Dio brings his touring group, Sabbath Knights, to Buffalo RiverWorks on Friday, August 1.

Vinny Appice’s Sabbath Knights

Friday, August 1, 2025

Buffalo RiverWorks

About Vinny Appice and Sabbath Knights

Appice joined Black Sabbath as the group’s drummer in 1980 while they were on tour in Hawaii. Ranked by MTV as the greatest metal band of all time, Black Sabbath brought hits to the Billboard charts such as “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” “Megalomania” and “War Pigs.”

In 1982, conflicts within the band led to the creation of the group Dio, featuring Appice and vocalist Ronnie James Dio. With Dio, Appice appeared on albums such as “Holy Diver,” which was certified platinum in the U.S. and is recognized as a top heavy metal album.

Appice and Dio returned to Black Sabbath in 1992 to record the album “Dehumanizer.” Over the last three decades, Appice has worked with several other rock and metal bands, including Heaven & Hell, 3 Legged Dogg, and Kill Devil Hill.

In the 2010s, Appice formed Sabbath Knights as a rock band playing classic Black Sabbath and Dio hits.

They released their debut album, “Forced Entry,” in 2017.

The group consists of Appice on drums, Buffalo Music Hall of Famer Jim Crean on vocals, Jimmy Caputo on bass, and Artie Dillon on guitar.

Sabbath Knights at Buffalo RiverWorks

At RiverWorks, Appice’s group will perform the greatest hits of Black Sabbath and Dio as well as “some rare fan favorites.”

“I call this show a tribute plus, [with] the plus being me,” Appice said, according to booking agent Neal Shelton.

Doors open at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 1.

For tickets, CLICK HERE. 

Matt Volz of The Leader at SUNY Fredonia contributed to this article.