Here's some context around Meat Loaf's album *Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell*.
### The Comeback of the Century
Released in 1993, *Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell* was one of the most dramatic and successful comeback albums in music history. It arrived 16 years after the original *Bat Out of Hell* (1977), an album that was a slow-burn success, eventually becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time.
The sequel reunited singer Meat Loaf with the songwriter and producer Jim Steinman, the visionary composer behind the original's epic, Wagnerian rock sound. The two had a falling out in the early 1980s, leading to a decade of legal battles and a period of commercial decline for Meat Loaf. Their reunion was a highly anticipated event for fans.
### Cultural Relevance in 1993
The album's release and subsequent global domination were a massive cultural anomaly. The music landscape of 1993 was ruled by the raw, stripped-down, and angst-fueled sounds of grunge (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden) and alternative rock. Hip-hop was also a dominant commercial and cultural force.
In this context, *Bat Out of Hell II* was the complete antithesis of the prevailing trend. It was:
* **Bombastic and Theatrical:** Where grunge was minimalist, Steinman's production was maximalist, featuring huge orchestral arrangements, choirs, and multi-part song structures.
* **Earnest and Romantic:** While alternative rock was often cynical and ironic, the songs on *Bat II* were unapologetically emotional, epic tales of teenage angst, love, and heartbreak, delivered with absolute sincerity.
* **Polished and Epic:** The album's lead single, **"I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That),"** was a 12-minute epic ballad (edited down for radio) with a famous "Beauty and the Beast"-themed music video directed by Michael Bay.
The album's staggering success—it went to #1 in 28 countries and the lead single became Meat Loaf's only #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100—was a shock to the music industry. It proved that a massive global audience still craved the grand, melodic, and theatrical rock that had been declared unfashionable. The mystery of what "that" was in the hit single became a major pop culture talking point for years.
### The Artist: Meat Loaf
Born Marvin Lee Aday, Meat Loaf was a performer with a background in musical theater (*The Rocky Horror Picture Show*). He wasn't a typical rock star; he was a character actor with a powerful, operatic voice. This made him the perfect vessel for Steinman's story-driven songs. His legacy is that of a larger-than-life performer who, with Jim Steinman, created a unique and enduring genre of rock and roll theater.
### The Deluxe Edition
The "Deluxe Edition" of *Bat Out of Hell II* typically includes the original album plus bonus content. While specific versions vary, they often contain:
* **Bonus Tracks:** B-sides or unreleased songs from the album sessions, such as the full-length version of "Life Is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back."
* **Live Recordings:** Performances of the album's hits from the subsequent world tour.
* **Music Videos:** A DVD containing the iconic videos for singles like "I'd Do Anything for Love," "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through," and "Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are."
In short, the album was a monumental success that defied all trends, re-established Meat Loaf as a global superstar, and cemented the legacy of the Meat Loaf/Jim Steinman partnership.