I've always enjoyed both Cross Purposes and Forbidden. Both sound good to me.I know Illusion of Power is a sore point for just about everyone but it never bothered me.The rap in it does not overtake the song.The rest of the album is solid as well (Rust Angels and Guilty As Hell stand out above the others). On Cross Purposes , my faves are The Hand That Rocks The Cradle and Evil Eye.

I am huge Black Sabbath fan boy and love the Tony Martin era, but this album is a complete disaster IMO. The songwriting sounds uninspired (which is a first), Tony Martin sings great on it but the rest of the band seem to be phoning in their performances.

Ernie C I suspect could not produce a fart let alone a Black Sabbath album, and the album sounds like Iommi gathered together two old friends (Powell and Murrary) and the ever reliable Tony Martin to create and put an album out there to end their contract with IRS records. Some of the tunes on this album are good, and as I am sure Spec is correct that some way have been as good as anything on 'Headless Cross' or 'TYR', if the band had bothered to inject some passion into the recordings.

But Iommi probably knew that even if this version of Black Sabbath had released a masterpiece, IRS Metal label would not bother to promote and it would die a slow death. It is too bad some of the material on here shows promise and this line up of Black Sabbath IMO released a few classic albums this unfortunetly was not one of them.

As a matter a fact the band as whole treated this album as non entity and nor do they look back on it very fondly.

Cozy keeps things interesting somewhat

agree with the "phoning in the performances"

"the only time he's feeling good is when he's killed and killed again"

REUNION - (released Oct 20, 1998)

On Dec 4th & 5th 1997 the original Black Sabbath performed their first concerts since the conclusion of the Never Say Die tour 18 years earlier. (not counting the short sets at Live Aid and Ozzy's "farewell concert"). The concert was filmed and recorded. Initially planned as a one-off performance, it developed into a full-fledged tour.

I saw this tour at Key Arena in Seattle on Jan 12th, 1999. It was a dream come true, seeing the original lineup of my all-time favorite band. The show was just as incredible as I hoped it would be. It's almost a shame that Reunion wasn't recorded during that American tour...because they had re-worked the setlist to focus on the songs Ozzy was most comfortable performing.

The worth of the album itself will probably depend on how rabid of a Sabbath fan you are. The album is not perfect and Ozzy struggles mightily with some of the songs...but that can be overlooked if your a fanatic. On the plus side there are some KILLER tracks here; Faires Wear Boots (awesome!), Sweet Leaf, Snowblind, Lord Of This World, Children Of The Grave and especially an amped up reading of Dirty Women. However, Ozzy pretty much destroys several tracks; N.I.B., Spiral Architect, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, etc. Some of those songs just weren't within his technical grasp any longer.

The band itself sounds KILLER, any concerns about Bill Ward's many years away from the scene are put to rest by his energetic performance. It IS nice to hear that old-school Sabbath swagger from the rhythm section.

Tacked onto the end of the album are two new studio tracks, which unfortunately are under-developed and mostly forgettable. Psycho Man is sunk by a ridiculous chorus...however at the midway section there is a fast riff that's totally classic Sabbath. Selling My Soul was never completed, Bill Ward is not on this track...it's a drum machine. Neither of these songs exactly filled me with enthusiasm for a possible new album.

The Reunion album and tour were a huge success. The album reached #11 on the Billboard Charts and went platinum. Talk of a possible new recording continued throughout the next year but nothing surfaced. Black Sabbath re-entered the studio in 2001 with Rick Rubin...however these sessions were eventually abandoned.

*notes*
Vinny Appice was brought along on the US tour as a backup in case Bill Ward's health didn't hold up.

The DVD release of the concert was titled "The Last Supper", it's basically ruined by interspersing interview footage OVER the songs (usually over Iommi's solo).

I don't think many people ever thought we'd see a reunited original line-up of Black Sabbath. But it happened, and in 1997 they returned to their native Birmingham, UK, to capture the moment live! Aptly entitled 'Reunion' this 2 disc live album is showing a vital live band. Tony's genius riffing is coming to it's full right, and both Geezer and Bill delivers accordingly. Now, I saw this tour when it hit Oslo in 1998, and I don't remember Ozzy sounding so good. He has big troubles with his vocals, and his voice was really shot that night. But here he sounds quite good actually, even though he doesn't really try and hit the higher notes, like in "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath". I'm not sure they've fixed a whole lot in the studio though. If they did, I'm sure they would have cut out the part where a rabid fan enters the stage and declares his love for the band too. Another disappointing thing however, is Ozzy's use of the f-word in between every song! What I do find enjoyable is the set list here. Even more obscure numbers, like "Dirty Women" and "Spiral Architect" gets played. So it's a great span of numbers represented. Of course most people came to hear the "hits", and there are plenty of those here too. You just don't record Black Sabbath live without them playing "Iron Man" or "Black Sabbath". 'Reunion' also gives us 2 brand new tracks. But they sound ore like Ozzy's solo material, with Tony doing the guitar work. The 2 CD package comes with a nice 28 page booklet, with liver-notes written by Phil Alexander, then editor of Kerrang Magazine.

Love the performances recorded for 'Reunion' and I even liked the fact that Ozzy at times was struggling to hit those notes he used to be hit so easily years ago, it gave it a very human quality to the recordings.

I was excited when I heard they will be two new studio recordings on the disc, I thought it was done to perhaps have a preview of what their studio album may sound like, til I heard the tracks in question. They are ok songs but not the classic Black Sabbath tracks I was hoping for.

Still I was disappointed that the original Black Sabbath didnot go and record a new studio album, I got sick of hearing it had to live up to the legacy, blah blah blah, who cares, being an artist is about taking a chances and creating new material not becoming an oldies act.

I always felt Iommi didnot use the name Black Sabbath when the Dio reunited in case the original Black Sabbath had wanted to work together again in the future. With that dumb ass lawsuit Ozzy, Sharon and hired collection of lotin boys suing Ozzy I do not foresee that ever happening now.

Back to the album, excellent live album and I would not hesitate to recommend it.

PAST LIVES (released Aug 20, 2002)

Past Lives was a welcome addition to the Sabbath catalog, the first "official" re-issue of Live At Last (which was not sanctioned by the band on it's first release) plus additional material only available previously via bootlegs.

During the Vol. 4 tour Sabbath started recording a series of shows with the intention of releasing a live album...but due to a variety of reasons this idea was shelved. After Sabbath broke up their UK label issued Live At Last, without the band's approval. This material takes up Disc 1 of Past Lives; this much-maligned date isn't nearly as bad as it's reputation. The sound quality is a tad rough, but I've heard much worse.

A few highlights: Killing Yourself To Live, this song was already in the set lists but this version pre-dates the Sabbath Bloody Sabbath album. Wicked World - following a much slower rendition of the tune, this becomes a 13 minute Tony Iommi improvisation....there are some FANTASTIC segments here; the jazz improv around the 5:40 mark and another improv with Ozzy at around the 10 minute mark.

Disc Two primarily comes from 2 sources. The Olympia Theater gig in Paris from 1970 (which was filmed but has never been officially released in it's entirety) and the awesome August, 5 1975 Asbury Park set originally broadcast on King Biscuit. This album was supposed to include the full Asbury Park show but at some point the scope of the project was slimmed down so only a few choice songs ended up on the finished product. These include very rare live renditions of Hole In The Sky, Megalomania and Symptom Of The Universe. It's really a crime that the entire Asbury Park gig wasn't released, it's a classic Sabbath concert.

As it stands, Past Lives is a nice set for the major Black Sabbath fan and one of the only "official" choices available to hear the Ozzy lineup in action. However, there are better bootlegs out there if you're of a mind to search for them. For casual fans this set is probably not all that essential.

*notes*
Disc one was culled from two concerts in March 1973 (Manchester & London). Disc two from Paris 1970 & Asbury Park 1975.

Released as both a digi-pak and jewel case release, the artwork differs slightly.

Iniitally planned as a 4 Disc set, reduced to 2 sometime during the project.

I love this live album, it is not perfect but it is nice to have a live album from the band during the peak of its creative powers.

Not much I can say about the album expect the performances are incredible and Ozzy sounds in great form through out the disc.

Will the two Heaven & Hell albums be included?

THE DIO YEARS (released Apr 3, 2007)
HEAVEN & HELL - LIVE AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL (released Aug 28, 2007)

"The Third Time" really was the charm for Dio/Iommi/Butler/Appice lineup.

The Dio Years was originally planned as a box set (which later became The Rules Of Hell), but at some point during pre-production it was changed to a single disc "best of" release. The real draw here was remastered versions of classic songs from the Dio lineup plus three new tracks. The new songs were recorded quickly which adds a cool "immediate" vibe to them. The Shadow Of The Wind is my favorite of the new songs, a classic doom track.

The band got along so well during the short recording session that they decided to bury the hatchet and go back on tour. It was announced they would be touring as "Heaven & Hell" (for reasons discussed too often already). Their performance at Radio City Music Hall was filmed for a DVD/CD release.

Live At Radio City Music Hall is an excellent live performance and gave a much better representation of the band than Live Evil had many years before. The only minor complaint I have with the album is choosing "After All (The Dead)" as the opening track...and the Vinny Appice drum solo at the end of The Devil Cried, aside from those small hiccups, it's a must-have for "Black Sabbath" fans. Highlights (and there are many) include killer versions of lesser performed Dio songs like Lady Evil, Falling Off The Edge Of The World and a majestic read through of Lonely Is The Word. The live versions of The Devil Cried and Shadow Of The Wind pack alot more punch than their studio counterparts.

The live DVD was a big hit and sold over 100,000 copies. The tour was also a rousing success...proof once and for all that the band "Black Sabbath" could exist and be successful without the name "Black Sabbath".

*notes*
The Dio Years is also available in a Uk Tour Edition, which includes 4 live tracks from the limited edition Live At Hammersmith release.

There is also a deluxe edition of Radio City available from Rhino.

Loved the three brand new Black Sabbath tracks on the 'Dio Years' and liked them better than the songs that Ozzy line up recorded for the 'Reunion' album.


I have to agree that 'Live At Radio Music City Hall' was a much better live album then ' Live Evil' and I will go even further and say it was better live album than 'Past Lives' and 'Reunion'.

I saw Black Sabbath during this tour co-headlining with Alice Cooper and Queensryche. Excellent concert and the band sounded in fine form and like the live album they opened with 'After All the Dead'. My favorite line up of Black Sabbath and I was happy to get another chance to see this line up live.

"So if you want to know where I've been hiding all these years, follow the tears."


HEAVEN & HELL - THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (released Apr 28, 2009)

Almost 40 years after the debut Black Sabbath album was released, Iommi & co. unleashed The Devil You Know in 2009. Anticipation for this release was very high as it was their first full-length release with this lineup since Dehumanizer 17 years earlier. The bar was set very high...and they delivered!

As a whole, this album is quite a statement. Easily the best album from this particular lineup since The Mob Rules in 1981. None of these guys have anything to "prove" to anyone, they are all living legends...they don't need to worry about pleasing anyone but themselves. This relaxed vibe helped create a very organic monster of an album. There have been countless Sabbath-clone bands over the years, The Devil You Know reminds all of them who the masters really are.

If you're looking for Doom, this album delivers. Follow The Tears (my favorite track), Breaking Into Heaven, Atom & Evil are all sloth-like monsters of concentrated evil. If mid-tempo stompers are your cup of tea then look no further than Double The Pain or Fear. There are even a couple up tempo barnstormers in Neverwhere (which sounds like it could fit nicely on Mob Rules) and Eating The Cannibals.

The centerpiece tracks are the two "epics". Bible Black is a perfect example of what the Dio/Iommi/Butler/Appice lineup is capable of. A light/heavy masterpiece in a similar mode to tracks like "Sign Of The Southern Cross", it suckers you in with a plaintive acoustic introduction and Dio's iconic vocals...then proceeds to HAMMER you into oblivion with a groove that ONLY this band could create. A perfect reminder of which band put the "HEAVY" in Heavy Metal.

Rock And Roll Angel is another classic "Sabbath" track. From the infectious main riff to Dio's memorable melody (perfect strangers in the dark..) and capped off by a brilliant mid-section featuring a tour de force for Iommi....this is what Sabbath is all about.

As for what the future holds...who knows? But if this ends up being the final release from the Dio lineup...it's a helluva way to cap an impressive career. Not only a good album...but a classic one. It debuted at #8 on the Billboard Charts and sold over 30,000 copies in it's first week of release.

*notes*
There is an alternate cover released exclusively through Wal-Mart (featuring the devil logo)

Love this album. Iommi seems to have a warehouse full of mammoth guitar riffs.

The Devil You Know is a FANTASTIC album!!!!

Probably the best album 2009 until now.

Yea, this one still sounds great. It's been getting regular spins from me since the day I bought it. Great "comeback" album.

I really dig the Dio Years and the two H & H albums. Ear In The Wall kicks so much arse and Double The Pain (my fave on TDYK) is one of the best songs in Dio's storied career. The whole album is kick arse.

I'm still likin' THE DEVIL YOU KNOW and it is still getting regular spins. Although as I think I mentioned around here when I first heard the album, I still don't care for the opening track ("Atom & Evil")... the rest is gold though.

Not bad for a bunch of old farts

I dig The Devil You Know, especially the songs Fear, Bible Black, and Double the Pain.

Not familiar with Ozzy era (I just bought Sabotage and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath), so I won't comment on those:

Heaven and Hell - This was my first Sabbath album and I didn't care for it initially. I listened to it only a few times and then gave up on it. I revisited it in anticipation for The Devil You Know and I love it! I can't believe it took me close to 10 years to appreciate this album.

Mob Rules - Inferior to Heaven and Hell, not as heavy, but still really good.

Live Evil - Never heard it.

Born Again - Amazingly heavy album and one of their best. It's a shame Gillan didn't stick around because if he had, I think there was great potential for this lineup to overshadow the Dio years. I've seen reviews refer to this as the band's worst album... What are those reviewers smoking???

Seventh Star - Iommi solo album, blah blah blah. A great album is a great album, I don't care what name was put on it.

The Eternal Idol - Kicks off my favorite Sabbath era and this is another in a string of great releases that started with Heaven and Hell, not as good the few previous albums, but still really good.

Headless Cross - Tony Martin's best moment in the band. "Bad Moon" and "Nightwing" are filler-ish, but the rest rocks. I don't mind the melodic hard rock sound of this Black Sabbath at all.

Tyr - I like it, but it doesn't compare to the first two Martin albums (or even Cross Purposes). Way too AOR-ish and wimpy sounding. Martin really took control for this one pushing for the themes displayed. While he's a great singer, the music suffered.

Dehumanizer - GREAT album, I may actually like this better than the first two Dio albums. A little slow, but it's so heavy and angry, who cares? I'm surprised this album wasn't more successful, but I guess it was just a victim of scene at the time. "I" is my favorite from this one.

Cross Purposes - Martin's back in and these is a really strong follow up to Dehumanizer that has a similar sound to it, in addition to a bit of a alternative rock and Ozzy Sabbath sound. I would rank this at #3 of the Martin albums. There's no sane reason "What's The Use" was only included for the Japan pressing, it's arguably the album's best song.

Cross Purposes Live - Never heard it.

Forbidden - This is actually a decent album that does a good job of getting Sabbath back to being heavy, IMO. Ice T's involvement is way overhyped by this album's detractors.

The Devil You Know - One of 2009's best, but this album is way too slow and plodding.