In this special Music Monday blog, we are going to take a look at a record many of us have been waiting for in years. We are talking about the new music from Black Sabbath. This is the first new studio record from Black Sabbath with Ozzy as the lead singer in about 35 years. I have to say this record has went over really well with everyone in the world. This record went #1 in the first week in 50 countries. Let us get into the history of this great pioneer metal band and then the music.
History
Black Sabbath was founded in 1968 under the name of Earth. As they have learned later on they found there was another band under the same band name of Earth in England. Earth changed their name to Black Sabbath in 1969 from 1963 horror movie Black Sabbath. They wrote their most haunting and evil song after their band name. Black Sabbath was signed to Warner Bros in the states. They release their debut record of Black Sabbath in 1970. The record companies push Sabbath back into the studio in June of 1970 to record their second record. It was supposed to be called “War Pigs.” Warner Bros changed the name to “Paranoid” and lead with the title track as their first single. “Paranoid” was released in early part of 1971 and went to #2 on the music charts. In the early part of 1971, the band enter the studio to record “Master Of Reality.” Following the World Tour of “Master Of Reality,” the band took break from touring and recording. However, in June 1972, the band was back in the studio recording “Vol. 4”, it would be released in later part of 1972. In the summer of 1973, they enter the studio, which was a house outside of Los Angeles, to record “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.” The record was released in the later parts of 1973 after a long and beat up time to come up with music and ideas for “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.’ Sabbath went on a World Tour for the year of 1974. In the early part of 1975, the band started working on “Sabotage.” It would be released in July 1975. Also in 1975, the record company put out the band’s first greatest hit, which was called “We Sold Our Souls For Rock And Roll.” In 1976, Black Sabbath added a keyboard player, who was Gerry Woodruffe, to their next record, which was “Technical Ecstasy.” It was released on September 1976. In 1977, Ozzy quits the band just before Sabbath was supposed to be entering the studio. Dave Walker was brought in to replace Ozzy on vocals. They performed live with their new song “Junior’s Eyes.” Ozzy had a change of mind on leaving the band and wanted to rejoin the band in January 1978. Ozzy was welcome back but all the new songs they wrote with Dave Walker had to be tossed because Ozzy could not sing those songs. “Never Say Die!” was released later part of 1978 and it marked the last studio recording for Ozzy in Sabbath for a while. The band return to LA area to start working on new songs but the band was doing too much drugs and drinking way too much. Ozzy had no ideas and did not want to practice. Ozzy was busy getting drunk and doing drugs. Tony fired Ozzy and had Bill Ward his buddy and lead singer he was not the singer of Black Sabbath anymore. The band went through several line up changes in the 1980’s. Ronnie James Dio replace Ozzy on vocals and this was the most success the band had in the 1980’s. They also had Ian Gillin, who was from Deep Purple fame, on “Born Again” record as the lead singer, which to this day it is cult classic. Then the band had Tony Martin and Ray Gillan, who replaced Glenn Hughes. Glenn Hughes was on the record “The Seventh Star.” Glenn to this day still does not remember recording that record with Tony. At this time in Sabbath, Tony was the only original member of the band. This record was supposed to be Tony’s first solo record but the record company said no to the idea. Finally, in 1997 Black Sabbath with all four original reunited for a tour on the Ozzfest. They would play along the side of Ozzy’s solo band. The band did several recordings in Europe for their live record called “Reunion” that was released 1998. It also mark the first time in years that the band recorded new music in a studio with Ozzy. They recorded three songs but only two made the live record. In the spring of 2001, the band went into the studio with Rick Rubin to start working on new record with Ozzy on vocals but Ozzy was called away to finish up his solo record “Down To Earth.” Black Sabbath reunited with the Heaven And Hell line up and toured with Dio. The band later started to work on new songs for the new Black Sabbath. The band released the new record, which was “The Devil You Know,” under the band name of Heaven And Hell. The band toured the world until Dio received some bad new about his health. Ronnie James Dio pasted away on May 2010 from stomach cancer. The Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund is still active to this day and please support. Rest In Peace Dio! In November 2011, Black Sabbath reunites with Ozzy on vocals in the studio with producer Rick Rubin. Bill Ward could not play the drums because of other things going on in his life. There are several different stories out there about this situation. Brad Wilk of Rage Against Machine was called in to play drums on the record. “13” was released last week in the United States. It has mark the first studio record from Black Sabbath in 18 years and the first with Ozzy in 35 years. Let us get into the music!
Track List
End Of The Beginning
The classic dark dooming guitar riff from Tony at the beginning. It is supported by some great drumming and bass playing. This song reminds of something off the early Black Sabbath. This is really creepy. I love how Ozzy is singing over the guitar playing. This song is extremely haunting and awesome. I love the lyrics. This is a great opening track to this great record. I love the pick up towards the middle of the song. I also love the fact that Ozzy has no effects on his vocals. He also sounds really good on his singing. Tony has a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song. I love how they let the drums and bass fill the spaces during the guitar solo. I mean there is a rhythm guitar but it is not over the top like most rhythm guitars with the solo.
God Is Dead?
God Is Dead? is the first single off this record. Just like the opening track, this song is pretty creepy. They have found the fountain of youth on this record so far. I love the guitar work. The drums and bass is pretty solid. They have out did themselves on the music. Once again, Ozzy has no effects on his vocals. He sounds like old school Ozzy. I love the pick up for the chorus and then the music pulls back to the background during the versus while Ozzy’s vocals are pushed forward over the music. The band has written some great lyrics and music. This is a great song for a single. This record seems like it could be forty years old. Tony has a great guitar solo towards the end of the song. I love the time changes on this song.
Loner
I love the start to Loner with the solid guitar, drums, and bass. This song seems like it would have been part of “Master of Reality” or “Vol. 4.” This is classic Ozzy singing and lyrics. I am really loving the fact there is no effects on his vocals. I am really enjoying this guitar solo and I love the effects that are put on the Tony’s guitar. Brad has done an awesome job on the drums. Tony did a pretty good job on the ending guitar solo to finish up the song.
Zeitgeist
Tony has the Planet Cavern acoustic guitar sound going. Bard playing the congas is a very nice touch. This is the only time that Ozzy has effects on his vocals and it is perfect. The bass is just right from one of the best in the business. I love the lyrics on Zeitgeist. Tony has some great guitar work towards the end of the song. It is a nice touch for the song.
Age Of Reason
Brad has some awesome drumming and the bass and guitars are solid. Ozzy is singing is solid and lyrics are really good. I am loving the pace of this song. I love how this song developed with the some keyboard action in the middle of the song. I love the music on this song. There is awesome guitar riffs throughout this song. Tony puts together a pretty good guitar solo in the later parts of this song. It has a perfect ending.
Live Forever
The guitar riff is pretty solid with the drums and bass at the beginning of “Live Forever.” The main riff is classic Black Sabbath. Ozzy has his classic singing with some great lyrics. Once again, it seems like this song could have been off one of their earlier records. This is one of my favorite songs so far off this record. Tony has a solid guitar solo towards the back half of the song.
Damaged Soul
I love the sample or sound effects they use at the beginning of the song. I love how the drums, guitar, and bass comes into the song. The music is pretty solid. Ozzy has some reverb on his vocals but it fits where they are taking this song. Classic Tony’s guitar riff bleeds throughout this song. I love the double vocals from Ozzy. It gives you the crazy feeling that the song is trying to get out. Tony has some pretty awesome guitar breaks and solos throughout this song. The music is awesome on this song. I am loving the ending guitar solo.
Dear Father
“Dear Father” is the final song off the record before we get into the bonus tracks from special edition from www.bestbuy.com. There is classic Black Sabbath music and Ozzy singing and lyrics are solid. I am loving the pace and the feeling on this song. It is a perfect song to finish this comeback record. Brad is killing it on the drums. He is not Bill Ward but if someone told me Bill Ward played on this record, I would have believe them. I love Ozzy’s melody on this song. The rain storm is perfect and echoes the time in the past and the record that put them on the map.
Methademic
I love the start of this song. Tony has a nice acoustic guitar riff. It is a thinking music. It then slams right into your face with the distorted and evil guitar riff. The bass and drums are solid. Ozzy is solid on his vocals and lyrics. This song has a good pace to it. Tony has an awesome guitar solo in the later part of the song. It has a nice ending to the song.
Peace Of Mind
“Peace Of Mind” has an awesome guitar riff. It is deep, dark, and thick. Ozzy has some awesome singing and lyrics also on this song. Brad drum beat is simple but it is to the point. I love how the guitar and drums echo off each other. I love how this song ends. It is perfect.
Pariah
I love the beginning of Pariah. There is an awesome main riff. Bulter is all over that bass along with Tony’s guitar work. Dear lord, this has to be the best song of the bonus tracks and maybe the record itself. This has to be a song they never used back in the day. This is a great song. I love how they moved the guitar down to an acoustic in the later part of the song. It goes back to distorted and Tony has guitar solo that fits this song.
Naivete In Black
“Naivete In Black” is the finally song from the bonus tracks and the record. I love the fast pace of the song. Ozzy has been pretty solid throughout this record. The lyrics are done up really well. I love the movements of the riffs. Tony has a nice guitar break in the middle of the song. I love the ending to this song and the riff going out.
Current Line Up
- Ozzy Osbourne – Lead Vocals
- Tonny Iommi – Guitars
- Geezer Bulter – Bass
Special Guest Drummer
Here is their website and twitter addresses:
Website: www.blacksabbath.com
Twitter: @OfficialSabbath
In closing, I am glad Sabbath reunited and put out mind-blowing new record. It seems like they never broke up and all the music between did not happen. Geezer Bulter did a great job on the lyrics and bass playing. Ozzy did a great job helping write the music and the singing. Tonny Iommi was off the charts good on the guitars. Brad Wilk from Rage Against The Machine was as close as you are going to get on drums to Bill Ward. I was pretty sad to see Bill Ward was not playing drums on this record. I do not understand why but I saw the reports and stories. It is funny to think that Ozzy was picked on by Geezer and Tony in school would end up fronting one of the pioneers of metal music. “13” was a solid record from start to finish that is including all the bonus tracks. I do not know which one is my favorite or favorites. I enjoyed listening to all the songs. I am looking forward and hoping to hear more new music from this line up of Black Sabbath. I highly recommend this record from the old school metal guys or the new to the music of metal. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/
Cheers!
Bill DJ Weiser
Email: djweiser13@comcast.net
Twitter: @djweiser
Credit Source: (I pick up the history part from wikipedia and some from stories I heard throughout the years. Most came from Talking Metal and Eddie Trunk.)
DJ Weiser 