HEADLESS CROSS

Here is the classic heavy metal album: epic riffs, doom and gloom lyrics, energy and balls.

Lyrically this is probably Sabbath's cheesiest offering. Apparently kills are around the bend, I'll watch at the legions cry again to a tune of death and torture, and I'll see a black moon rising. Some of it is less bearable than others. The lyrical content is very clichéd, but I would say the lyrics themselves are very competently written - there's nothing particular cringeworthy. And Tony Martin's voice delivers them very powerfully.

But for me, the actual music is more important than lyrics. There are some classic Iommi riffs on this album, particular standouts being the title track, When Death Calls, Black Moon and Nightwing. When Death Calls is without a doubt the most atmospheric track on the album, and Nightwing wins the prize for being the not-so-heavy-but-still-heavy-metal track. The title track bears some similarities to the Dio-era track Heaven and Hell; critics will deride it as a cheap imitation, but either way it is a very strong track. None of the tracks strike me as particularly weak; however Kill in the Spirit World and Call of the Wild don't match up to the same standard as the other tracks.

Overall a very solid, largely consistent album with many a great riff and some powerful vocals. Recommended if you're after some darker heavy metal.