SABBATH BLOODY SABBATH

I was seriously questioning if PA was insane by including Black Sabbath in the archives. A very unsuitable addition, even for Prog Related, I thought. After I have been listening to their 1970s albums again, there is no doubts that Black Sabbath belongs in PA. What I thought were "merely" some sludge metal albums, turned out to be some very varied albums full of adventures and different textures. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is no difference from this formula and it even includes some keyboards from Rick Wakeman too. I did not know this before reading the linear notes again last week, 25 years after I bought this album.

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is a bit downer compared to Master and Volume 4 though. The tracks here are very varied and varies from sludge to melodic rock (most of the title track), space prog and even some jazz. Tony Iommi was basically a Django Reinhardt admirer and a most of his riffs is actually gypsy music inspired. That according to himself in a recent BBC interview. Going back to his riffs and guitar work on this and the other 1970s albums, Tony Iommi is most definate not an orthodox hard rock guitarist. That, I believe is the whole Black Sabbath DNA profile from these albums and why they are so interesting. In short; please give Tony Iommi a knighthood now and the recognition he so fully deserve. I am a big admirer of his work on this album and all other Black Sabbath albums.

Ozzy Osbourne does some great vocals too here. Butler and Ward rumbles on like a train in the background. Wakeman also comes out of this with his reputation intact. My main gripe is the lack of some truly great tracks here. If feels like Black Sabbath is threading water here inbetween a very hectic schedule. The title track, Spiral Architect and Killing Yourself To Live is great. The rest is not that good. This is still a very interesting album which demands respect. But it is still a bit of a downer.

3.5 stars