Eternal Sabbath...

Been listening to Eternal Idol quite a bit over the past week. Listened to the Tony Martin album and the Ray Gillen demos and I think I actually prefer the Gillen tracks to the Martin tracks. His voice seems to fit the song better IMO.

"The Shining" is such a monstrous song! It's a shame that some of these songs will probably never be played again.

Gillen by a million miles. He was a superb vocalist and is sorely missed.

ultmetal wrote:

"The Shining" is such a monstrous song!

Great song and the only one i really love from the album. Be it Gillen or Martin, i think it's a very weak album. I have a live video with Gillen and the songs sound a bit better but i still, i don't like it at all.

I may be used to Martin version of the song, so I like that one more, but both vocalists are great.

Ray had a smoother delivery but I think Tony was master of great vocal melodies. Depends on what you are looking for in a singer.

I like both versions and I think it's a fantastic album. Gillen gets my vote though, Martin didn't really have time to put his signature stamp on the songs (he had a week to complete all the final vocal tracks), so he essentially copied what Gillen had already laid down. Plus, Martin has stated that the songs weren't comfortable for him to sing because it's not in his preferred vocal range.

I also think the rawer quality of the Gillen recording actually works in it's favor, as the final studio mix is very treble-happy and a little more polished sounding than the material really calls for.

Lost Forever on the Gillen version is the perfect opening song too.

Ray is great, but i think Tony's voice fit the songs well and he has that Dio type style that i like.

Ray Gillen was a much more charismatic performer and IMO if he had stuck around Black Sabbath would have regained a lot of lost ground, the publicity the band had earned hiring an unknown etc. Tony Martin a great vocalist was lacking in stage presence.

I prefer the Tony Martin versions, like S.D. pointed out that he really did not have time to add his own stamp to the songs, I think under the circumstances he did an excellent job and vocal wise was a better fit for Black Sabbath then Ray Gillen was.

What Manny and S.D. said.

jstate wrote:

What Manny and S.D. said.

He chose Martin and I chose Gillen.

I chose Gillen, though I like them both. I also think I like the rawer, heavier production on the Gillen tracks.

ultmetal wrote:

I also think I like the rawer, heavier production on the Gillen tracks.

Glad I wasn't the only one.

ultmetal wrote:

I chose Gillen, though I like them both. I also think I like the rawer, heavier production on the Gillen tracks.

Same reason I prefer the Gillen demos.

I got the Eternal Idol Deluxe Edition yesterday and it's nice to have an official version of the Gillen demos. I listened to both and I still prefer the demos because they are heavier and rawer. Also, Ray's voice is incredible. However, I was very impressed with the Tony Martin versions. I haven't listened to The Eternal Idol in years but this is a damn good album. Too bad no one cared at all when it was released.

Both versions are excellent and i tend to take turns listening to both. The Martin version is the more polished affair (naturally, since it was completed), while the Gillen has a rawer, more visceral edge due to his vocals and also the earlier mix of the instrumental tracks. You really can't go wrong with either version, I'm happy to have both to listen to.

I'm not casting a vote since I never heard the Gillen version but I have to say that Eternal Idol is my favorite of the Martin voiced Sabbath albums.

007 wrote:

I'm not casting a vote since I never heard the Gillen version but I have to say that Eternal Idol is my favorite of the Martin voiced Sabbath albums.

I agree, regardless of version it's the most solid album of the Martin era.

I simply like Ray's voice better.

ultmetal wrote:

I chose Gillen, though I like them both. I also think I like the rawer, heavier production on the Gillen tracks.

This is the reason I like the Gillen version better.

I am biased to Tony

Ray

Ray for me too. I like Tony Martin's voice, but Gillen blows him out of the water.

ShadowAngel wrote:

ultmetal wrote:

"The Shining" is such a monstrous song!

Great song and the only one i really love from the album. Be it Gillen or Martin, i think it's a very weak album. I have a live video with Gillen and the songs sound a bit better but i still, i don't like it at all.

??? "Ancient Warrior" is one of the all time best Sabbath tunes!

"The Shinning" is probably my least favorite on the lp, and it's a great lp!

Haven't heard the demos so I need to get on that.

ultmetal wrote:

I chose Gillen, though I like them both. I also think I like the rawer, heavier production on the Gillen tracks.

Bob Daisly said as much when he heard the final mix w/Martin after he had left...