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It's about time!
After several near misses the original BLACK SABBATH has reared
its horned head and Satan must truly be laughing.
This is the first "official" live release from this version of the
band, ever, which makes it a collectible but what makes it infinitely
enjoyable to listen to is the way these geezers can still manage to
shake an arena to its very foundation. The advance hype would carry
this only so far.
The music takes it the rest of the way and then some.
The first of this packages two discs contains "War Pigs", "Behind
the Wall of Sleep", "N.I.B.", "Fairies Wear Boots", "Electric Funeral",
"Sweet Leaf", "Spiral Architect", "Into the Void" and "Snowblind."
What a way to start a show!
The set is so familiar it is a virtual heavy metal template but who
would have ever thought that we would hear "Spiral Architect"
or "Electric Funeral" live again?
We are only half way through and "REUNION" would already seem
to be worth its salt.
Disc Two offers up a couple more live surprises. "Dirty Women"
and "Orchid/Lord of This World" wouldn't immediately come
to mind when putting a set list together so it is refreshing to know
that some thought was given when that task arose. The remainder of
the live material continues the devils work in earnest. "Sabbath
Bloody Sabbath", "Black Sabbath", "Iron Man", "Children of the Grave"
and, of course, "Paranoid" have not sounded this heavy since
their original unveiling, if then.
Tony Iommi has, been caught live on tape breathing down-tuned fire.
Ozzy is Ozzy. Thankfully that has never wavered and the Geezer Butler/Bill
Ward rhythm section sound as if all four horses of the apocalypse
are about to gallop into your living room. This is one excellently
crafted and executed live album and worthy of infinite play time.
Now for the "bonus" Material. First off the booklet is the best that
I have ever seen. Thick and full of photographs, not only from this
show, but from the archives as well. The liner notes are lovingly
scribed by Phil Alexander of Kerrang! Magazine which always makes
for a good read.
As for the new songs, "Psycho Man" has the traditional SABBATH
feel to it and will almost certainly be played live whereas "Selling
My Soul" sounds a bit more like OZZY solo material. They do certainly
wet the appetite for a full album from the godfathers of metal.
Personally, I have waited for this disc to come out for nearly twenty
years and I am eternally grateful for the fact that it is such a quality
piece of work. Time will tell if this re-union has any longevity but
for now, I will sit back, turn on the black light, crank up the headphones
and as always remember to keep the Sabbath holy! You should do the
same.
Released By Epic.
Website: http://www.epicrecords.com/EpicCenter/docs/index.qry
Review by David Lee
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The CD
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