Definitely one to turn up.Īnd finally is The Writ, one of many written about the stresses the band were put through at the time. Unintentionally commercial and also a single is Am I Going Insane (Radio) – the radio referring to Radio Rental, a rhyming slang for Mental. The Thrill Of It All is a good track, just a little non descript compared to the track before, and also the track after Supertzar is a 4 minute instrumental that features a vocalising choir, a strong nod to a certain 1970 Pink Floyd album, albeit significantly crunchier. At times gusset shittingly heavy, at others progressively melodic, and some freakout moments too. The changing segments and use of piano add a progressive touch, and some of the vocal har-monies hint at glam. Butler’s bass lines complement Iommi’s riffs perfectly, whether blues or doom laden, or upbeat and melodic.įor me the best track is Megalomania, running at about 9 minutes. Of note and standout is Symptom Of The Universe, whose power and speed as well as chord structure would be an obvious early influence on the 80s NWoBHM and thrash scenes. Then straight into Don’t Start, an acoustic instrumental showcasing Iommi nicely. Opening track Hole In The Sky is a classic Sabbath number, great riff, and quite raw and heavy (something influenced by the tension in the studio caused by the legal issues). The original concept to signify sabotage was itself sabotaged (ie the black costumes not appearing before a rushed photo shoot) and it was too late to the change the idea, hence Bill Ward wearing his wife’s red leggings. Then there’s 4 CDs in card sleeves – already I’m thinking this is how reissues should be done.įirst into the tray is the original album, with its famous cover showing the band facing the same way in the mirror’s reflection. Add on a replica tour programme and a tour poster and we’re off to a good start. On opening the package, first out is a wonderful hardback book which contains very indepth liner notes, and some rare pictures, live shots and rare editions of the album. The stories from all four band members (vocalist Ozzy, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward) are well known, and expanded upon in the enclosed book. The band fired him as they felt they were being ripped off, and he sued them, with lawyers turning up with writs in the studio. Originally released in 1975 (when Sabbath would have been up to their eyes in snow, acid and god knows what else), the album is so called because the band felt the recording process was being sabotaged by their former manager Patrick Meehan. And we are assuming you own those aforementioned entry tickets, as Paranoid and Volume 4 are essential listening, metal head or otherwise. And much like its predecessors, it’s as riff laden and metal inspirational as ever. Share the post "Album review: BLACK SABBATH – Sabotage (Super Deluxe Edition)"įollowing finely in the footsteps of the recent Paranoid and Volume 4 reissues, Black Sabbath’s 6th album Sabotage gets the full expansion works.