The originator of metal, and the first known doom metal band out there. Respect, bruvs
Black Sabbath:
Megalomania:
Sign of the Southern Cross:
Eternal Idol:
Black Sabbath you say? Never heard of them.
Geezer Butler is the best metal bassist ever.
I really only like the first five albums; I do hold a special place in my heart for Born Again though. It's not because of Ozzy (although I admit I have never been a fan of Dio's vocals, he is undoubtedly talented but something always sounds too melodramatic to me), but just the musical direction in general.
I can agree with that. I do like SOME of the albums after Ozzy left (I like Born Again, Dehumanizer, Cross Purposes), as well as select few songs from some albums as well... but there's some albums I absolutely can't tolerate. Like Headless Cross for example.
Not because of the vocals, but it just seems like Iommi fell into the 80s mold... he went from being an innovator, a creator of trends, to a follower of them.
And I agree that Geez is the best metal bassist. That man can play.
You said what I couldn't really think to articulate in regards to Tony Iommi's playing, but something in the 80s seemed to lose the magic.
Into the Void and Symptom of the Universe are my two favorite songs. You classify them as Doom Metal, which is true, though for me they are what comes to mind when the very blanket term of "Heavy Metal" is mentioned. They pretty much invented it anyhow.
ABSOLUTE METAL GODS!!!!
I could do without their stuff from 85 onward though - MEH!
But Bible Black is a fucking masterpiece.
WG: I am really excited for The Devil You Know. Bible Black got me really really excited, yes.
Pucky: Agreed. Tbh, while Sabbath may have been a doom band, they were pretty all-over-the-place, musically. You have stuff like Neon Knights which is early heavy/speed metal, Symptom of the Universe that is the earliest example of thrash, etc. They covered a lot of musical ground. I love it.
The Butt Wrote:I can agree with that. I do like SOME of the albums after Ozzy left (I like Born Again, Dehumanizer, Cross Purposes), as well as select few songs from some albums as well... but there's some albums I absolutely can't tolerate. Like Headless Cross for example.
Not because of the vocals, but it just seems like Iommi fell into the 80s mold... he went from being an innovator, a creator of trends, to a follower of them.
And I agree that Geez is the best metal bassist. That man can play.
Totally agree with the above statements. I think when Tony lost Geezer there after Born Again he was listening to everybody's advice, but ignoring himself and what he really wanted. And it's pretty obvious he was just trying to stay relevant. I understand that (listen to KISS' Carnival of Souls how much it sounds like a trendy grunge album - awful). But when you have a name such as Black Sabbath, it shouldn't be anything but heavy and bombastic. Those albums after Born Again just weren't.
Also consider he was in L.A. quite a bit in those days, and it fucking sounds like it terribly.
His choice in vocalists (With all due respect to Ray Gillen) was typical L.A. high pitch goofball (Ray was good but he wasn't "Sabbath" imo). The production just lags. Everything has a ton of reverb on it. I mean Fuck it they should have just called the band reverb. You heard more of that shit then the instruments! It actually bums me out to listen to those albums. Cross Purposes is the true exception to that (I think partially because Geezer was back). But even Dehumanizer for me, the riffs are there, but Tony's sound just lags. None of the presence in his tone that he had on those first two Dio albums. And gladly, I think he finally got that sound back on Reunion & everything since then. I love his tone, and it sounds like no one else - as it should!
And yeah Geezer Rules. No question.
The Butt Wrote:WG: I am really excited for The Devil You Know. Bible Black got me really really excited, yes.
Pucky: Agreed. Tbh, while Sabbath may have been a doom band, they were pretty all-over-the-place, musically. You have stuff like Neon Knights which is early heavy/speed metal, Symptom of the Universe that is the earliest example of thrash, etc. They covered a lot of musical ground. I love it.
I'll say TDYK is a mixed bag. Not quite as uptempo as I wanted. But it's heavy. Like Dehumanizer (IMO) there,s a few clunkers on there.
As for genre's, the band crossed over so much it's hard to define them. I mean there's straight up rock n roll stuff on their albums, like Sabra Cadabra, then there's the great ballads (imo) they did in the 70's. Just a well rounded band. But at the heart it's doom I think.
I dunno. I think a lot of what contributed to the band losing it's "sound" was not just losing Geezer, but Bill as well. Bill was a jazzy, free-flowing drummer that could take anything and make it sound groovy. Even when it comes to Vinny Appice, he's just so fucking stiff. And as a result, Sabbath's sound got really stiff and calculated as well. I mean, I like Mob Rules and Dehumanizer, but I'd be lying if I said I was a fan of the drumming and how it contributes to the general sound.
And don't even get me started on Mr. Powell... he's better than Appice, he actually has the technical skills... but the only drummer for Sabbath for me, is Bill.
The Butt Wrote:I dunno. I think a lot of what contributed to the band losing it's "sound" was not just losing Geezer, but Bill as well. Bill was a jazzy, free-flowing drummer that could take anything and make it sound groovy. Even when it comes to Vinny Appice, he's just so fucking stiff. And as a result, Sabbath's sound got really stiff and calculated as well. I mean, I like Mob Rules and Dehumanizer, but I'd be lying if I said I was a fan of the drumming and how it contributes to the general sound.
And don't even get me started on Mr. Powell... he's better than Appice, he actually has the technical skills... but the only drummer for Sabbath for me, is Bill.
I can respect that. I just know going through the Martin albums, when Geezer came back it sounded much more Sabbath like then prior to that.
I sort of see that about Vin. I notice it more on RCMH then Mob Rules. I think he brings a great presence though. He's solid & heavy. In terms of his playing he could afford more "embellishment," I suppose. I'm listening to Live Evil right now though & hes much more lively on that, which I never noticed before. I have no opinion on Powell really. I'll have to put on the Rainbow stuff & check that out. To listen to Tyr or Headless cross brings me far too much anguish. Then I'll start to mope. Probably yell at people on the road... it'll just get too ugly.
Could someone rapidshit a copy of never say die? Mine is kinda dead.
There's tons of copies already Rapidshitted. Google is your friend for that.
WARLOCKGRINDER Wrote:There's tons of copies already Rapidshitted. Google is your friend for that.
laziness...
I remember first hearing the "Symptom Of The Universe" compilation album while burning homework in the fire into the summer night. Heavy shit it is. I'm totally reminded of Dehumanizer more than H&H and Mob Rules when listening to TDYK. The chugging riff to RNR Angel, is very reminiscent to Into The Void's. Viva La Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell, and Tony Iommi.
Iommi's getting sued by Ozzy. For what? Merchandise and possibly using the name Black Sabbath. Quoting Bill and Ted: Bogus.
Below is my official press statement on the official Black Sabbath trademark lawsuit. I am very saddened that I've had to take legal action against Tony. This is something that I've tried to avoid for years. I am not Geezer or Bill's voice. However, till the day I die I will not change my mind on this issue. The Black Sabbath trademark should be equally owned by Geezer, Bill, Tony and I as the true Black Sabbath lineup is Tony, Geezer, Bill and I. We've all been mates since school. I've always said there is an invisible thread that holds us together. Tony, lets get this ridiculous issue sorted and move on with our lives. You're 61, I'm 60. I hope that we've got a good 20 years left in us. But if not, God Forbid something happens to you. What's going to happen to the Black Sabbath trademark? Who's going to oversee it? Don't you think after we're long gone the rights should stay in your family, my family, Bill's family and Geezer's family?
Statement from Ozzy Osbourne:
"It is with great regret that I had to resort to legal action against my long term partner, Tony Iommi, but after three years of trying to resolve this issue amicably, I feel I have no other recourse. As of the mid-1990's, after constant and numerous changes in band members, the brand of "Black Sabbath" was literally in the toilet and Tony Iommi (touring under the name Black Sabbath) was reduced to performing in clubs. Since 1997 when Geezer, Bill and myself rejoined the band, Black Sabbath has returned to its former glory as we headlined sold-out arenas and amphitheatres playing to upwards of 50,000 people at each show around the world. We worked collectively to restore credibility and bring dignity back to the name "Black Sabbath" which lead to the band being inducted into the UK and US Rock & Roll Hall of Fames in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Throughout the last 12 years, it was my management representatives who oversaw the marketing and quality control of the "Black Sabbath" brand through Ozzfest, touring, merchandising and album reissues. The name "Black Sabbath" now has a worldwide prestige and merchandising value that it would not have had by continuing on the road it was on prior to the 1997 reunion tour. Tony, I am so sorry it's had to get to this point by me having to take this action against you. I don't have the right to speak for Geezer and Bill, but I feel that morally and ethically the trademark should be owned by the four of us equally. I hope that by me taking this first step that it will ultimately end up that way. We've all worked too hard and long in our careers to allow you to sell merchandise that features all our faces, old Black Sabbath album covers and band logos, and then you tell us that you own the copyright. We're all in our 60's now. The Black Sabbath legacy should live on long after we have all gone. Please do the right thing."
I can see Ozzy's reasoning in the last paragraph...
Tbh, I believe Iommi should sell Ozz, Bill, and Geez their 25% share of the name back. As integral as Iommi was to Sabbath, Sabbath is those four IMO, not just him.
It should be owned in quarter-portions by all 4 of them, I agree with Ozzy. And not just because Dio's work with the band never really did anything for me. They (were) one of the most important bands in rock's history, and you just don't want to see them turn into another Jimi Hendrix in terms of copyright issues and shit. It seems like Jimi's family is suing someone every other week for infringement and defaming his good name. By spreading ownership of the name and royalties across four separate parties, you can prevent such nonsense and also make it so that any action taken in the band's name must be agreed upon as tasteful and appropriate in a democratic fashion.