Editing Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell

{{Infobox album
| name         = Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[Meat Loaf]]
| cover        = Bat_out_of_Hell_II.jpg
| alt          = The cover shows a bat perched on the tower of the [[Chrysler Building]]. A man on a motorcycle flies toward it.
| released     = {{start date|1993|09|14}}
| recorded     = August 1991–June 1993
| venue        = 
| studio       = 
*[[Ocean Way Recording|Ocean Way]], Hollywood
*[[Power Station (recording studio)|Power Station]], New York City
| genre        = {{hlist|[[Hard rock]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/bat-out-of-hell-ii-back-into-hell-mw0000101866|title= Meat Loaf, Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell|last1= Erlewine|first1= Stephen T.|website= allmusic.com|access-date=December 12, 2013}}</ref>}}
| length       = 75:38
| label        = {{hlist|[[MCA Records|MCA]] (North America)|[[Virgin Records|Virgin]] (worldwide)}}
| producer     = [[Jim Steinman]]
| prev_title   = [[Blind Before I Stop]]
| prev_year    = 1986
| next_title   = [[Welcome to the Neighbourhood (Meat Loaf album)|Welcome to the Neighbourhood]]
| next_year    = 1995
| misc         = {{Extra chronology
 | artist     = [[Jim Steinman]]
 | type       = studio
 | prev_title = [[Original Sin (Pandora's Box album)|Original Sin]]
 | prev_year  = 1989
 | title      = Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell
 | year       = 1993
 | next_title =
 | next_year  =
}}{{Singles
 | name        = Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)]]
 | single1date = August 31, 1993<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Meat+Loaf&ti=I%27d+Do+Anything+for+Love+%28But+I+Won%27t+Do+That%29|title=RIAA|website=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] }}</ref>
 | single2     = [[Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through]]
 | single2date = January 1994
 | single3     = [[Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are]]
 | single3date = April 25, 1994
}}
}}

'''''Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell''''' is the sixth [[studio album]] by American rock singer [[Meat Loaf]] and the second in the ''Bat Out of Hell'' trilogy, which was written and produced by [[Jim Steinman]]. It was released on September 14, 1993, sixteen years after Meat Loaf's first solo album ''[[Bat Out of Hell]]''. The album reached number 1 in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. Three tracks were released as singles, including "[[I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)]]", which reached number 1 in 28 countries.

The album was released by [[Virgin Records]] outside of North America, where it was released by MCA. The third part of the ''Bat'' trilogy, ''[[Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose]]'', was released in 2006.

Like the first album of the trilogy, ''Bat Out of Hell II'' was a commercial success. It sold over 14 million copies worldwide.

==History==
In the midst of the success of ''Bat Out of Hell'', desperate for a follow-up, management and the record company put pressure on Steinman to stop touring in order to write a follow-up, provisionally titled ''Renegade Angel''.<ref name="q">{{cite news |first=John |last=Aizlewood |title=A Marriage Made In Hell |work=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |url=http://www.jimsteinman.com/marry.htm |format=Reprint on website |publisher=EMAP |year=1993 |access-date=2007-08-24}}</ref> In a 1981 ''[[BBC Radio|BBC]] Rock Hour Special'' interview, Jim Steinman recalls the writing process.

<blockquote>I started writing what I felt was ''Bat Out of Hell part 2'', definitely like ''[[The Godfather]] part 1'' and ''[[The Godfather Part II|part 2]]'', that's how I saw it. I wanted to do a continuation and I wanted to do an album that went even further and that was more extreme, if possible, which a lot of people felt wasn't possible but I just wanted to see if I could make a record that was even more heroic because that's what I thought of it ... ''Bat Out of Hell'' to me was ultimately very heroic though it was funny ... and I wanted to do one that to me would be even more heroic and more epic and a little more operatic and passionate.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |title= BBC ROCK HOUR SPECIAL: JIM STEINMAN; Transcription of BBC Radio Broadcast, 1981 |url=http://www.jimsteinman.com/bbc.htm |access-date=2007-08-28}}</ref></blockquote>

In a 1993 promotional interview for the album, Steinman reasserts the continuation of the ''Bat'' world. "I didn't call it ''Bat Out of Hell II'' just to identify with the first record. It really does feel like an extension of that... It was a chance to go back to that world and explore it deeper. It always seemed incomplete because I conceived it like a film, and what would you do without ''[[Die Hard 2]]''?"<ref name="bat2intdvd">{{cite video |people=Jim Steinman |date=1993 |title=Back Into Hell: Meat Loaf & Jim Steinman interview |medium=DVD |publisher=Virgin Records}}</ref> Meat Loaf himself was more succinct, telling an interview at the time, "We called it ''Bat Out of Hell II'' 'cos that would help it sell shitloads."<ref>{{Cite book|title=Like a Bat Out of Hell: The Larger than Life Story of Meat Loaf|page=167|first=Mick|last=Wall|publisher=Hachette UK|isbn=978-1409173540|year=2017}}</ref>

Steinman rejoined Meat Loaf and the band for a live performance in [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]], Canada in 1978 with the intention of going through the songs for ''Bat II'' after the show. However, someone broke into their [[Dressing room (theater)|dressing rooms]] during the show and stole several possessions, including the new lyric book.<ref name="autobiog138">{{harvnb|Meat Loaf| Dalton|2000|p=138}}</ref><ref name="msodvd">{{cite video |people=Meat Loaf (commentary) |date=2004 |title=Meat Loaf Live with the Melbourne Symphone Orchestra  |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437327/ |medium=DVD |location=Melbourne |publisher=Warner Music Vision}}</ref> Then, Meat Loaf lost his voice and was unable to record ''Renegade Angel''. Steinman says "he sounded literally like the little girl in ''[[The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]''... like a dragon trying to sing—it was a horrifying sound." Steinman "kept writing the music to ''Bat Out of Hell part 2''... my sequel."<ref name="bbc"/> Not being able to "bear for people not to hear those songs," Steinman recorded the album, retitled ''[[Bad for Good]]'', as a solo project, although [[Rory Dodd]] contributed lead vocals on some songs. Four songs from ''Bad for Good'' were included on ''Bat Out of Hell II''.<ref>"Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through"; "Out of the Frying Pan"; "Love and Death and an American Guitar" (retitled "Wasted Youth") and "Lost Boys and Golden Girls"</ref> In 1989, Steinman formed all-female vocal group [[Pandora's Box (band)|Pandora's Box]]. The album, ''[[Original Sin (Pandora's Box album)|Original Sin]]'', was a commercial flop, but featured two songs which would also appear on ''Bat II''.<ref>"Good Girls Go to Heaven" and "It Just Won't Quit"</ref> However, according to Meat Loaf, one of them was written for him, saying that "Jim put 'It Just Won't Quit' on ''Original Sin'' without telling me. I could have strangled him."<ref name="q"/>

By the time Meat Loaf set about finally recording ''Bat II'' in the early 1990s, the industry's enthusiasm for the project had waned.<ref name="hitquarters">{{cite web |url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_TManzi.html |title=Interview With Tommy Manzi |publisher=[[HitQuarters]] |date=May 7, 2001 |access-date=May 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609212527/http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview%2Fopar%2Fintrview_TManzi.html |archive-date=June 9, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to the artist's then manager, Tommy Manzi, in an interview with [[HitQuarters]], "That project was considered a joke as far as the industry was concerned," and Manzi's management company Left Bank were "laughed at" for attempting to revive the fortunes of a well-established act rather than focus on "the next hip band".<ref name="hitquarters"/>

== Production ==
After a series of financial and legal disputes during the 1980s, Steinman and Meat Loaf met at the singer's house in [[Connecticut]] at Christmas in either 1989<ref name="q"/> or 1990,<ref name="Meat Loaf/Dalton, p. 200">{{harvnb|Meat Loaf|Dalton|2000|p=200}}</ref> and sang ''Bat Out of Hell'' on piano. Steinman says that "working together again seemed like the cool thing to do."<ref name="q"/>

Steinman gave Meat Loaf half the songs for the album, but refused to give him any more until he changed managers. The singer was being managed by Walter Winneck and George Gilbert, who Meat Loaf credits as being "honest guys" but, under Steinman's influence, thinks would be "incapable of dealing with the record companies" on ''Bat II''. On Steinman's recommendation, he hired Allen Kovac.<ref>{{harvnb|Meat Loaf|Dalton |2000|p=201}}</ref>

Recording of the album took place at [[Ocean Way Recording]] in [[Los Angeles, California]], then at [[Power Station (recording studio)|The Power Station]] in [[New York City, New York]].

Many of the performers from the original album returned for the sequel. [[Roy Bittan]] performed keyboard and piano on most tracks, with [[Todd Rundgren]], [[Ellen Foley]], Rory Dodd and [[Kasim Sulton]] returning to provide background vocals. Meat Loaf and the musicians are credited as co-arrangers, and Bittan and long-term Steinman collaborator [[Steven Rinkoff]] are credited as associate producers. The album was [[audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] by David Thoener with the exception of the final track, which was mixed by Rinkoff.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell |year=1993 |author=Virgin Records|others=Meat Loaf |type=booklet |publisher=Virgin |id=CDV2710 - 7243 8 39067 27  }}</ref>

According to Meat Loaf, he and Steinman had only one "big fight" throughout the album's production, which occurred during the mixing of "Life Is a Lemon". Production took a long time, mainly because of the length of the songs. The singer says, "Jim's songs may be miniature operas, but they're always too long for radio." Steinman fought with Kovac over the edit of "I'd Do Anything for Love", with the manager advising that radio stations were unlikely to play anything over five minutes long.<ref>{{harvnb|Meat Loaf|Dalton|2000|pp=202–3}}</ref>

Steinman had secured a contract with Meat Loaf's recording label MCA for [[Lorraine Crosby]], a club singer from [[North East England]] whom he was managing. While visiting the company's recording studios on [[Sunset Boulevard]], Crosby was asked to provide guide vocals for Meat Loaf, who was recording "I'd Do Anything for Love". Crosby recalls, "I went and sang it twice and I never thought anything more of it until six months later when I got a phone call saying, 'Would you mind if we used your vocals?'" [[Cher]], [[Melissa Etheridge]] and [[Bonnie Tyler]] had been considered for the role.<ref name="chronicle">{{cite news |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on-newcastle/music-gigs/2003/12/07/all-on-her-own-72703-13701538/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130419210254/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on-newcastle/music-gigs/2003/12/07/all-on-her-own-72703-13701538/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 19, 2013 |work=Sunday Sun |title=All on her own |date=Dec 7, 2003 |first=Pauline |last=Holt |access-date=2010-02-06}}</ref> However, as Crosby had recorded her part as guide vocals, she did not receive any royalties from the song.<ref name="chronicle"/>

==Compositions==
{{Listen |filename=I'd do anything for love - Duet - Emerald City.ogg |title=Duet - I can do that |description=An extract from the duet part, performed by [[Lorraine Crosby]], in which she suggests things that he ''can'' do. |filename2=I'd do anything for love - Duet - Screwing Around.ogg |title2=Duet - I won't do that |description2=The final part from the duet, in which Meat Loaf declares what he ''won't'' do.}}

The album opens with "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)", a marathon twelve-minute opus which was edited for single release in some countries. The track begins with a guitar played to sound like a revving motorcycle, a reference to [[Todd Rundgren]]'s contribution in the middle of "Bat Out of Hell".<ref name="classicalbums">{{cite video |people=Jim Steinman |date=1999 |title=Classic Albums: ''Meat Loaf Bat Out of Hell'' |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0235298/ |medium=DVD |publisher=Image Entertainment}}</ref><ref name="q-rev">{{cite news |first=Jimmy |last=Nicol |title=Excessive - Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell |work=Q |publisher=EMAP |url=http://www.jimsteinman.com/excess.htm |format=Reprint on website |access-date=2007-08-26}}</ref> Each verse comprises two things that he would do for love, followed by one thing that he would not do. It is that latter parts of each chorus that is the "that" of the title. However, some people misunderstand the lyrics, claiming that the singer never identifies what the "that" is that he is unwilling to do, a confusion that Steinman predicted during production.<ref name="Meat Loaf/Dalton, p. 200"/> The song combines [[Arena rock|stadium rock]] and [[power ballad]] for much of its twelve minutes. However, near the end of the song, a female vocalist is introduced. Credited in the liner notes as Mrs. Loud, this part was sung by [[Lorraine Crosby]]. Some countries managed to play the opus from start to finish.<ref name="chronicle"/>

Rundgren points out that "the themes of the songs were darker."<ref name="q"/> The second track, "Life is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back", demonstrates this pessimism. Several things are identified as "defective", including love, sex, gods, childhood and the future. [[AllMusic]] labels it "a stomping rocker that wraps serious feelings in a cryptically witty metaphor."<ref>{{cite web |first=Donald A. |last=Guarisco |title=Life Is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back |work=AllMusic |url={{AllMusic|class=song|id=t3395231|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=2007-08-31}}</ref> Despite the pessimism, both AllMusic and Meat Loaf point out that "it is a funny song."<ref name="bat2intdvd-ml">{{cite video |people=Meat Loaf |date=1993 | title=Back Into Hell: Meat Loaf & Jim Steinman interview |medium=DVD |publisher=Virgin Records}}</ref>

The third track, "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through", is a prayer to rock music, celebrating how it is always there to help you through troubled times. One of its lyrics is "You're never alone, 'cause you can put on the [[Headphones|'phones]] and let the drummer tell your heart what to do." The fourth track also has dark overtones. "It Just Won't Quit", Steinman explains, "is about the fact that there are some things you never shake off... That's love, I guess."<ref name="jsopb">{{cite video |people=Jim Steinman |date=1989 |title=Jim Steinman Opens Pandora's Box |medium=DVD |publisher=Virgin Records}} Produced & directed by Mark Wightwick.</ref><ref name="artistsmind">{{cite web |first=Jim |last=Steinman |title=The Artist's Mind Jim Steinman On.. |url=http://www.jimsteinman.com/bat2am.htm |access-date=2007-08-28}}</ref> "Out of the Frying Pan (And into the Fire)" is a more upbeat song.

The album's sixth track, "Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are" is a three part narrative that uses [[pathetic fallacy]], where the seasons (summer, winter and spring) reflect the atmosphere of the events being described, drawing "its inspiration from the singer's often-tragic childhood. The lyrics portray a man who has overcome tragedies in his life yet still feels haunted by their memory."<ref>{{cite web |first=Donald A. |last=Guarisco |title=Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are |work=AllMusic |url={{AllMusic|class=song|id=t3395235|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=2007-08-31}}</ref> Steinman says that it was "the hardest song to write and get across."

<blockquote>It's a very passionate song. It's really, I think maybe, the most passionate one on the record. I mean, I'm really proud of it because that's really one that goes over-the-top in the sense that it's got images—it has religious imagery of [[resurrection]], it's got images of [[fertility]] and [[reincarnation|rebirth]], it has really very good sexual images, images of cars—which I always like.<ref name="bat2intdvd"/><ref name="artistsmind"/></blockquote>

The track quotes lyrics from ''Bat Out of Hell'''s "[[Paradise by the Dashboard Light]]" ("It was long ago and it was far away"), as does the next track, "Wasted Youth", a spoken word fantasy monologue (a remixed version of "Love and Death and an American Guitar" from Steinman's ''[[Bad for Good]]'' album). The 1977 song's opening line "I remember every [...] little thing as if it happened only yesterday. I was barely seventeen" opens this track also, but instead of being "barely dressed" the protagonist "once killed a boy with a [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]] guitar." Influenced by [[The Doors]], Steinman wanted to write a piece where "the rhythm wasn't coming from the drums so much as the voice—the rhythm of the spoken voice and the heartbeat behind it."<ref name="bbc"/>

According to Steinman, "Good Girls Go to Heaven (Bad Girls Go Everywhere)" is a "teenage prayer".<ref name="jsopb"/><ref name="artistsmind"/> "Lost Boys and Golden Girls" is "Steinman's interpretation of the story of ''[[Peter Pan]]''." The composer says that ''Peter Pan'' has "always been about my favorite story and I've always looked at it from the perspective that it's a great [[rock and roll]] myth because it's about—when you get right down to it—it's about a gang of [[Lost Boys (Peter Pan)|lost boys]] who never grow up, who are going to be young forever and that's about as perfect an image for rock'n'roll as I can think of."<ref name="bbc"/>

==Cover and booklet==
The cover art was illustrated by sci-fi/fantasy artist [[Michael Whelan]], following the style of [[Richard Corben]]'s cover for ''Bat Out of Hell''. It features the [[motorcycling|biker]] from the first cover flying on his [[motorcycle]] towards a giant [[bat]] perched on top of [[New York City]]'s [[Chrysler Building]], to which an [[angel]] is bound. Echoing the [[Headstone|gravestone]]s of the first cover, partially destroyed [[skyscraper]]s inhabit the [[lava]] landscape. Also like the first album, it features a 'Songs by Jim Steinman' credit, although smaller and located at the bottom of the cover.

As well as providing thematic consistency with the original, the repetition of [[iconography]] also acted as a vital marketing tool. The [[marketing]] of the album was documented in an episode of the 1995 [[BBC]] television programme ''The Music Biz''. Executives at Virgin Records thought that this was important to attract the target audience, who they believed no longer spent much time in record shops. They felt that similarities to the design of the first album, including Meat Loaf's name in [[Blackletter|Gothic]] [[typography]], would entice consumers of the 1977 album to purchase this.<ref name="musicbiz">{{cite episode |title=MARKETING MEAT LOAF |series=[[The Music Biz]] |credits=Producers: Gina & Jerry Newson |network=BBC2 |airdate=1995-06-12 |season=1 |number=4}}<br />The section from this episode about the marketing of ''Bat Out of Hell II'', and the filming of this music video, has been reshown as part of [[BBC Learning Zone]]'s [[media studies]] strand.</ref>

The booklet contains all of the lyrics to the songs, each accompanied by a small Whelan illustration, which were used as the respective single covers. There is a suggestion to "support [[Tibet House]], an organization dedicated to the unique culture of the Tibetan people which has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the world at large".

==Singles and videos==
Three tracks from the album were released as singles. "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" became a worldwide #1 hit from this album. The song reached #1 in the charts in 28 countries.<ref name="msodvd"/> It spent seven weeks atop the [[UK Singles Chart]], making it the most successful single in the UK that year. Simultaneously, Meat Loaf released "[[Bat Out of Hell (song)|Bat Out of Hell]]" as a single, which also made the top ten in the United Kingdom. Meat Loaf remained the last artist to have two top-ten UK singles at the same time until the [[Manic Street Preachers]] in 2001.

"Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through" reached #13 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], #14 on the [[Cash Box Top 100| ''Cash Box'' Top 100]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=[[Joel Whitburn's CashBox Pop Hits 1952-1996]]|year=2014|publisher=Record Research|isbn=978-0-89820-209-0}}
</ref> and  #11 on the UK Singles Chart. The third single from the album, "Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are", did less well when it was released in 1994, reaching #38 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, #21 on the  ''Cash Box'' Top 100 and #26 in the United Kingdom. "Life Is a Lemon" peaked at #17 on the [[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock Tracks]] chart in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell: Billboard Singles |work=AllMusic |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r186605|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=2007-08-31}}</ref>

[[Michael Bay]] directed three [[music video]]s from the album. "I'd Do Anything for Love" is based on ''[[Beauty and the Beast]]'' and ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)|The Phantom of the Opera]]''.<ref name="musicbiz"/> "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through" features a [[Runaway youth|runaway]] girl, played by [[Angelina Jolie]]. "Objects in the Rear View Mirror" illustrates the song's narrative. Featuring [[Robert Patrick]], the video contained flying aircraft imagery that Bay would use in ''[[Armageddon (1998 film)|Armageddon]]'' and ''[[Pearl Harbor (film)|Pearl Harbor]]''.

In 1994, the three films were released as the [[VHS]] tape ''Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell 2 – Picture Show'', which also included alternate versions of "Paradise by the Dashboard Light", "Life Is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back" and "I'd Do Anything for Love", all featuring lead vocalist [[Patti Russo]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell 2 - Picture Show |work=Amazon.co.uk |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00004CPN4 |access-date=2007-08-28}}</ref> They were included on a DVD in 2006 with the 'Collectors Edition' release of the album.

==Reception==
{{Music ratings
| rev1      = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r186605|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic Review]</ref>
| rev2      = ''[[Kerrang!]]''
| rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jimsteinman.com/bouncy.htm|title=Rock-tastic|website=Jimsteinman.com|access-date=16 March 2022}}</ref>
| rev3      = ''[[Music Week]]''
| rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Alan|last=Jones|title=Market Preview: Mainstream - Albums — Pick of the Week|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=11 September 1993|page=15|accessdate=1 February 2023|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-09-11.pdf}}</ref>
| rev4      = ''[[New Musical Express|NME]]''
| rev4score = 3/10<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Paul|last=Moody|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52976575717/|title=Long Play|magazine=[[New Musical Express|NME]]|date=18 September 1993|page=37|access-date=17 June 2023}}</ref>
| rev5      = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jimsteinman.com/excess.htm|title=Sound & Fury|website=Jimsteinman.com|access-date=16 March 2022}}</ref>
| rev6      = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev6score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/toddrundgren/albums/album/112139/review/6067725/bat_out_of_hell_ii_back_into_hell|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001180619/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/toddrundgren/albums/album/112139/review/6067725/bat_out_of_hell_ii_back_into_hell|url-status=dead|title=Rolling Stone Review|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-date=1 October 2007|access-date=16 March 2022}}</ref>
| rev7      = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev7score = {{Rating|1|5}}<ref name="Cross">{{cite book|last=Cross|first=Charles R.|author-link=Charles R. Cross|editor1-last=Brackett|editor1-first=Nathan|editor2-last=Hoard|editor2-first=Christian|title=[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide|The New Rolling Stone Album Guide]]|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|edition=4th|year=2004|isbn=0-7432-0169-8|chapter=Meat Loaf|pages=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/533 533]}}</ref>
}}

The album was a commercial hit, and has sold more than 14 million copies around the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.projectopus.com/node/4894 |title=Meatloaf sues former collaborator Steinman over Bat Out of Hell |access-date=2007-08-22 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231063357/http://www.projectopus.com/node/4894 |archive-date=2009-12-31 }}. [[Reuters]]/[[Verenigde Nederlandse Uitgeverijen|VNU]], June 8, 2006.</ref> It was [[List of number-one albums of 1993 (U.S.)|number one for one week in the US]] on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell: Billboard Albums |work=AllMusic |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r186605|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=2007-08-31}}</ref> the [[List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 1990s|UK Albums Chart]] for eleven non-consecutive weeks, [[List of number-one albums of 1993 (Australia)|number one in Australia]] for four weeks, and eight weeks at number one in Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.2333.pdf| title=RPM Top 100 Albums - December 18, 1993}}</ref> Meat Loaf won a [[Grammy Award for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance]] for "I'd Do Anything for Love"<ref>{{cite web |title=Grammy Awards: Best Rock Vocal Solo Performance |work=Rock on the Net |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/grammy/rocksolo.htm |access-date=2006-11-26}}</ref> and received two [[Brit Awards]] nominations (Best International Male and Best Selling Single).

Despite its huge commercial success, critical reception was mixed. The specialist music press were generally positive. ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' magazine proclaimed, "truly this... is the genuine follow-up to the most over-the-top rock album of all time." Like most critics, ''Q'' referred to the excesses of Steinman's style, citing the length of the songs (''Q'' says that "Objects..." running for 10 minutes and 12 seconds is "not necessary"). Unlike the original, where the epic loud songs were "offset by the softness of stuff like '[[Two Out of Three Ain't Bad]]'...even the ballads are Roman orgies of sound and fury." This, they said, means "the album's probable theme—the crushing effect growing up has on teenage dreams—seems to get lost among the thud and blunder." Overall, though, Q was positive, concluding with the sentiment that "Ultimately, ''Back Into Hell'' may not trash its predecessor, but as a mad, crunching, stadium rock album, it's probably the best thing of its kind you'll hear this year."<ref name="q-rev"/>

Looking at how "Steinman's old-fashioned teen-dream rock 'n' roll fantasies" fits in with the music culture of 1993, ''[[Kerrang!]]'' suggested that it would not appeal to "[[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] and [[Metallica]] fans, but there's an older generation of rockers out there who will, quite properly, worship this album." Their four-star review declared that "it is a work of genius, a ready made rock classic and arguably the last word in rock operas."<ref name="k-rev">{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Elliott |title=Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy! |work=Kerrang! |url=http://www.jimsteinman.com/bouncy.htm |format=Reprint on website |year=1993 |access-date=2007-08-26}}</ref> In ''[[The Tip Sheet]]'', [[Jonathan King]] labelled it a "glorious, splendid album", celebrating Meat Loaf's "operatically gorgeous" voice and Steinman's "superb" songs, arrangements and production. "You'll be blown away. Better still you'll catch yourself openly laughing out loud at times with delight. You know what to expect yet it's constantly better, fresher and brighter than you hope. If they had a [[Mercury Prize|Mercury Music Prize]] for American albums, this would win it hands down."<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=King |title=Bat Out Of Hell II - Back Into Hell |work=The Tip Sheet |url=http://www.jimsteinman.com/tip.htm |format=Reprint on website |date=1993-09-05 |access-date=2007-08-26}}</ref>

In a 1999 documentary celebrating the original album, Meat Loaf said that ''Bat Out of Hell'' polarized people: "Some hate it, and some worship it."<ref name="ca-ml">{{cite video |people=Meat Loaf |date=1999 |title=Classic Albums: ''Meat Loaf Bat Out of Hell''  |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0235298/ |medium=DVD |publisher=Image Entertainment}}</ref> The bombast did not meet some critics' approval. As with the first album, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave the album a mixed review. They called it "harmless, low-octane operatic drivel" with "insufferably long Steinman compositions with equally long names".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Matt |last=Birkbeck |title=Album Reviews: Meat Loaf, Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell |magazine=Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/toddrundgren/albums/album/112139/review/6067725/bat_out_of_hell_ii_back_into_hell |date=1993-10-28 |access-date=2007-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001180619/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/toddrundgren/albums/album/112139/review/6067725/bat_out_of_hell_ii_back_into_hell |archive-date=October 1, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Non-specialist publications gave the most negative reviews. The ''[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]'' also referred to the length of the songs, in which they said Steinman "vomits up 75 minutes of endlessly repeated choruses". The newspaper branded it "the worst pop album of 1993".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ferman |first1=Dave |title=The Worst Pop Albums of 1993 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-worst-pop-album/136693683/ |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |department=Arts & Entertainment |date=December 28, 1993 |page=E1}}</ref> ''[[The Des Moines Register]]'' thought that the album was "wallowing in excess so gratuitous as to make [[Michael Bolton]], by comparison, seem a master of understatement... Mountains of banshee-like wailing guitars! Thunderous [[drum kit|drums]]! [[Hernia]]ted vocals! Profoundly stupid lyrics! Gack. This isn't pandering to the [[lowest common denominator#Colloquial usage|lowest common denominator]]—it's lowering the lowest common denominator."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Beach |first1=Patrick |title=Meat Loaf's New Album Sounds Like Rehashed Leftovers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-leftovers/136694005/ |work=Des Moines Register |date=October 31, 1993 |page=F1; F2}} [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-meatloaf/136694149/ continued on page F2]</ref>

Like the original, retrospective reviews have been appreciative. [[AllMusic]] appreciated the bombast and "the pseudo-operatic splendor of Jim Steinman's grandly cinematic songs." Responding to concerns about length and overstatement, they replied, "that's precisely the point of this album, and is also why it works so well. No other rock 'n' roller besides Meat Loaf could pull off the humor and theatricality of ''Back Into Hell'' and make it seem real. In that sense, it's a worthy successor to the original."<ref>{{cite web |first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine |title=Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell |work=AllMusic |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r186605|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=2007-08-25}}</ref>

==Track listing==
===Original release===
{{track listing
| extra_column = Vocals
| all_writing = [[Jim Steinman]]
| total_length = 75:38
| title1 = [[I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)]]
| length1 = 12:01
| extra1  = uncredited guest vocals by [[Lorraine Crosby]]
| title2 = [[Life Is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back]]
| length2 = 8:00
| title3 = [[Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through]]
| length3 = 5:51
| title4 = It Just Won't Quit
| length4 = 7:21
| title5 = Out of the Frying Pan (And into the Fire)
| length5 = 7:24
| title6 = [[Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are]]
| length6 = 10:16
| title7 = Wasted Youth
| extra7 = Steinman
| length7 = 2:41
| title8 = Everything Louder than Everything Else
| length8 = 8:00
| title9 = [[Good Girls Go to Heaven (Bad Girls Go Everywhere)#Meat Loaf version|Good Girls Go to Heaven (Bad Girls Go Everywhere)]]
| length9 = 6:53
| title10 = Back into Hell
| length10 = 2:46
| title11 = Lost Boys and Golden Girls
| length11 = 4:20
}}

===Other versions===

====1993 special limited edition====
Alongside the original version a two disc special edition was released, containing a foldout poster and a bonus disc containing three live tracks, which can also be found as B-sides to the "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" singles.

{{Track listing
| all_writing     = [[Jim Steinman]]
| total_length    = 28:12
| headline        = CD 2 track listing
| title1          = [[Bat Out of Hell (song)|Bat Out of Hell]]
| length1         = 12:11
| title2          = [[You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth]]
| length2         = 6:42
| title3          = Everything Louder than Everything Else
| length3         = 9:19
}}

This was produced by Meat Loaf and recorded and mixed by David Thoener. It was recorded in New York, NY in July 1993.

====2002 deluxe edition====

A two-disc "deluxe edition" was released by MCA on June 25, 2002. The first disc contains the [[remaster]]ed original album, while the second contains several radio edits and remixes. It was presented as a foldout double-disc set enhoused in a slipcase, with an extensive booklet with liner notes and rare photographs. [[AllMusic]] suggest that although the album deserves the attention, "the extra disc of material is [not] worth the time of anyone outside of [[Fanaticism|fanatic]]s... it doesn't really offer any revelations, curiosities, or an interesting listen for anybody else (and it may not be that interesting to those collectors, either)."<ref>{{cite web |first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine |title=Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell [Deluxe Edition] |work=AllMusic |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r595846|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=2007-08-31}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline        = CD 2 track listing
| all_writing     = Jim Steinman
| total_length    = 60:12
| title1          = Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are
| note1           = Radio edit
| length1         = 5:01
| title2          = I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)
| note2           = Single edit
| length2         = 5:25
| title3          = Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through
| note3           = Radio edit
| length3         = 4:00
| title4          = Life Is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back
| length4         = 4:46
| note4           = Radio edit
| title5          = Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are
| note5           = Wild Bomb mix
| length5         = 6:01
| title6          = I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)
| note6           = Longer, but still not as long as the album cut
| length6         = 7:52
| title7          = Life Is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back
| note7           = [[Ty Cobb]] mix
| length7         = 5:52
| title8          = Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are
| note8           = Wild Car mix
| length8         = 7:40
| title9          = Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through
| note9           = [[Knute Rockne]] edit
| length9         = 5:28
| title10         = Life Is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back
| note10          = 1998 remix
| length10        = 8:07
}}

====2006 2CD/1DVD collector's edition====

In 2006, a three disc collector's edition was released by Virgin/EMI. The first disc contains the original album remastered and the second a live version of the original ''Bat Out of Hell'' album plus "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)", compiled from the various B-sides from the album's singles.

The tracks were recorded live in New York during July 1993, except "For Crying Out Loud" which was recorded live in the United States in 1994. Live arrangements by Meat Loaf and the [[Neverland Express]] featuring Patti Russo as lead female vocalist. Tracks 1-6 and 8 were recorded and mixed by David Thoener, and the audio was remastered by [[Peter Mew]] with Nigel Reeve at [[Abbey Road Studios]], [[London]].

The final disc is a DVD containing all three of the Michael Bay videos, and a featurette with an interview with Meat Loaf and Steinman, with behind the scenes footage from the video shoot of "I'd Do Anything for Love".

{{Track listing
| headline        = CD 2 track listing
| all_writing     = Jim Steinman
| total_length    = 72:11
| title1          = [[Bat Out of Hell (song)|Bat Out of Hell]]
| length1         = 11:13
| title2          = [[You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth]]
| length2         = 6:35
| title3          = Heaven Can Wait
| length3         = 4:48
| title4          = All Revved Up and No Place to Go
| length4         = 7:55
| title5          = [[Two Out of Three Ain't Bad]]
| length5         = 7:38
| title6          = [[Paradise by the Dashboard Light]]
| length6         = 11:27
| title7          = For Crying Out Loud
| length7         = 9:51
| title8          = I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)
| length8         = 12:44
}}

''All sections were directed by Michael Bay and produced by [[Propaganda Films]]. DVD produced by Abbey Road Interactive.''
{{Track listing
| headline        = DVD track listing
| total_length    = 30:32
| title1          = To Hell and Back: Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman Interview
| length1         = 9:22
| title2          = I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)
| length2         = 7:40
| title3          = Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through
| length3         = 5:47
| title4          = Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are
| length4         = 7:43
}}

==Personnel==

{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Arrangements===
* [[Jim Steinman]] – arranger
* "[[Meat Loaf]] and the musicians" – co-arranger
* [[Todd Rundgren]] – background vocal arranger

{{col-2}}

===Band on live tracks===
* [[Mark Alexander (keyboardist)|Mark Alexander]] – piano, backing vocals
* Steve Buslowe – bass guitar, backing vocals
* [[John Miceli]] – drums
* [[Patti Russo]] – female lead vocals, backing vocals
* [[Kasim Sulton]] – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
* [[Pat Thrall]] – lead guitar, backing vocals
* [[Gary Martin (actor)|Gary Martin]]—backing vocals
* Amy Goff—backing vocals
{{col-end}}

===Band on studio tracks===
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Kenny Aronoff]] – drums
* [[Roy Bittan]] – [[piano]], [[keyboard instrument|keyboards]]
* [[Jeff Bova]] – organ (8), [[synthesizer]], [[programming (music)|programming]]
* Jimmy Bralower – drums (9)
* Steve Buslowe – [[bass guitar]]
* Robert Coron – additional backing vocals (2)
* [[Lorraine Crosby]] – female lead vocals (1, as "Mrs. Loud"), backing vocals (2, 6), additional backing vocals (8)
* [[Brett Cullen]] – additional backing vocals (2)
* [[Rory Dodd]] – additional vocals (6), backing vocals (1–5, 9, 11)
* [[Stuart Emerson]] – backing vocals (2, 6)
* [[Ellen Foley]] – additional vocals (6)
* [[Cynthia Geary]] – additional backing vocals (2)
* Amy Goff – backing vocals (2), additional backing vocals (9)
* Elaine Goff – backing vocals (2), additional backing vocals (9)
* Max Haskett – backing vocals (6, 8)
* Curtis King – backing vocals (9)
* Michelle Little – additional backing vocals (2)
* [[Rick Marotta]] – drums (6, 8)
* [[Eddie Martinez (musician)|Eddie Martinez]] – guitar (1, 2, 6, 8, 9)
* Brian Meagher – [[bagpipes]] (8), [[drum kit|drums]] (8)
* Brian Meagher, Jr. – bagpipes (8), drums (8)
* Justin Meagher – bagpipes (8), drums (8)
* Meat Loaf – [[lead vocalist|lead vocals]], [[backing vocalist|backing vocals]] (2, 4)
* [[Gunnar Nelson (musician)|Gunnar Nelson]] – backing vocals (2)
* [[Matthew Nelson (musician)|Matthew Nelson]] – backing vocals (2)
* [[Bill Payne]] – piano (6, 8, 11)
* [[Lenny Pickett]] – [[saxophone]] (3, 9)
* [[Tim Pierce]] – guitar (1–5)
* [[Todd Rundgren]] – backing vocals (1–6, 8, 9)
* [[Jim Steinman]] – [[spoken word]] (7), additional backing vocals (2)
* [[Kasim Sulton]] – backing vocals
* [[Pat Thrall]] – [[guitar]] (4, 5)
* [[Eric Troyer]] – backing vocals (11)
{{div col end}}

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Initial chart performance for ''Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell''
! Chart (1993–94)
! Peak<br /> position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|1|artist=Meat Loaf|album=Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Austria|1|artist=Meat Loaf|album=Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2016}}
|-
!scope="row"|Canadian Albums (''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.2276.pdf| title=RPM Top 100 Albums - October 23, 1993}}</ref>
|align=center|1
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|1|artist=Meat Loaf|album=Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|1|id=1691|artist=Meat Loaf|album=Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Hungary|14|year=1994|week=5|rowheader=true|access-date=November 25, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Meat Loaf|album=Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|2|artist=Meat Loaf|album=Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|11|date=19940227|rowheader=true|access-date=November 21, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|1|artist=Meat Loaf|album=Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|1|artist=Meat Loaf|album=Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|1|date=19930912|rowheader=true|access-date=November 21, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Meat Loaf|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2016}}
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Weekly chart performance for ''Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell'' following Meat Loaf's death
! Chart (2022)
! Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|102|artist=Meat Loaf|album=Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell|rowheader=true|access-date=January 30, 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|57|artist=Meat Loaf|rowheader=true|access-date=February 1, 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardRock|10|artist=Meat Loaf|rowheader=true|access-date=February 1, 2022}}
|}
{{col-2}}

=== Year-end charts ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+1993 year-end chart performance for ''Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell''
!Chart (1993)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1993/albums-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1993|website=ARIA|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
|3
|-
!scope="row"|Canadian Albums (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.2332&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062 |title=The RPM Top 100 Albums of 1993 |publisher=RPM |date=December 18, 1993 |access-date=December 6, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021011302/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.2332&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062 |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
|7
|-
!scope="row"|Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1993&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 1993|language=nl|website=Dutchcharts.nl|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
|40
|-
!scope="row"|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1993|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrecharts|language=de|website=Offiziellecharts.de|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
|15
|-
!scope="row"|New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/1993-12-31|title=Top Selling Albums of 1993|website=The Official NZ Music Charts|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
|10
|-
!scope="row"|Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1993|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1993|language=de|website=Hitparade.ch|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
|32
|-
!scope="row"|UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-01-15.pdf#page=39|title=Top 100 Albums 1993|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=January 15, 1994|page=25|access-date=April 23, 2022}}</ref>
|1
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1993/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1993|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
|50
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+1994 year-end chart performance for ''Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell''
!Chart (1994)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1994/albums-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1994|website=ARIA|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
|42
|-
!scope="row"|Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=a&id=1994|title=Jahreshitparade Alben 1994|language=de|website=Austrian Charts Portal|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
|16
|-
!scope="row"|Canadian Albums (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.2686&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.2686.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.2686|title=Top 100 Albums of 1994|magazine=RPM|volume=61|number=21|date=December 12, 1994|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
|19
|-
!scope="row"|French Albums ([[Institut français d'opinion publique|IFOP]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Les Albums (CD) de 1994 par InfoDisc |url= http://www.infodisc.fr/B-CD_1987.php |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160112173148/http://www.infodisc.fr/B-CD_1994.php |archive-date= January 12, 2016 |language= fr|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
|95
|-
!scope="row"|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1994|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrecharts|language=de|website=Offiziellecharts.de|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
|8
|-
!scope="row"|New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/1994-12-31|title=Top Selling Albums of 1994|website=The Official NZ Music Charts|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
|42
|-
!scope="row"|Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1994|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1994|language=de|website=Hitparade.ch|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
|16
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1994/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1994|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>
|9
|}

===Decade-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Chart (1990–1999)
!Rank
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref name="1990sbb">{{cite book |author=Geoff Mayfield |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9w0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA4 |title=1999 The Year in Music Totally '90s: Diary of a Decade - The listing of Top Pop Albums of the '90s & Hot 100 Singles of the '90s |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=December 25, 1999 |access-date=October 15, 2010}}</ref>
| 87
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications and sales==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for ''Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|title=Bat Out Of Hell II|type=album|artist=Meat Loaf|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=1993|certyear=1994|access-date=November 24, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|title=Bat Out Of Hell II|type=album|artist=Meat Loaf|award=Platinum|relyear=1993}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|title=Bat Out Of Hell II|type=album|artist=Meat Loaf|award=Platinum|number=9|relyear=1993}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|title=Bat Out Of Hell II|type=album|artist=Meat Loaf|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1993}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Ireland|title=Bat Out Of Hell II|type=album|artist=Meat Loaf|nocert=true|relyear=1993|salesamount=45,000|salesref=<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1993/BB-1993-12-25.pdf|magazine=[[Billboard magazine|Billboard]]|title=Meat Loaf: World's Fave U.S. Export?|page=92|date=December 25, 1993|accessdate=September 1, 2022}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|title=Bad Out Of Hell Ll; Back Into Hell|type=album|artist=Meat Loaf|award=Platinum|certyear=1994|relyear=1993|access-date=25 November 2018}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=Bat Out Of Hell II|type=album|artist=Meat Loaf|award=Platinum|relyear=1993|id=1994-04-01|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=1994}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|title=Bat Out Of Hell II|type=album|artist=Meat Loaf|award=Platinum|relyear=1993|certyear=1993|salesamount=122,000|salesref=<ref name="billboard"/>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|title=Bat Out Of Hell II|type=album|artist=Meat Loaf|award=Platinum|relyear=1993}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Bat Out Of Hell II: Back into Hell|type=album|artist=Meat Loaf|award=Platinum|number=6|relyear=1993|id=725-853-2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Bat Out Of Hell II|type=album|artist=Meat Loaf|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=1993}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|type=album|title=Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell|artist=Meat Loaf|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1993|certyear=1994|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-02-05.pdf|title=Music & Media|date=1994-02-05|website=Americanradiohistory.com|access-date=2022-03-16}}</ref>|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-02-05.pdf|title=Music & Media|date=1994-02-05|website=Americanradiohistory.com|access-date=2022-03-16}}</ref>|salesamount=2,700,000}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}

==References==
===Footnotes===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |author1=Meat Loaf |author-link=Meat Loaf |first2=David |last2=Dalton |title=[[Meat Loaf: To Hell and Back|To Hell and Back: An Autobiography]] |year=2000 |publisher= Virgin Publishing |location= London |isbn=0-7535-0443-X }}

{{Meat Loaf}}
{{UK best-selling albums (by year) 1990–2009}}
{{UK Christmas No. 1 albums in the 1990s}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Meat Loaf albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jim Steinman]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Roy Bittan]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Power Station]]
[[Category:1993 albums]]
[[Category:Rock operas]]
[[Category:Sequel albums]]
[[Category:Albums with cover art by Michael Whelan]]
[[Category:MCA Records albums]]
[[Category:Virgin Records albums]]