MASTER OF REALITY

Black Sabbath

Prog Related

4.10 | 924 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer

In no less than seventeen months "Sabbath" will release three major heavy metal albums. My expectations were of course extremely high after the fabulous "Parano�d".

And even if I was a bit disappointed, this album is a good one. Again. During some songs (two), new directions will be sought for but of course "Sweet Leaf" (the opener) is fully a "Sabbath" song. Heavy with no compromission at all. One of the highlight. Strange thing with the following song "After Forever". The riff is VERY similar to "Flight Of The Rat" from "In Rock" ("Purple"). You will tell me that mixing heavy metal with hard-rock is no big deal, but it is a nice combination to my ears.

Even if the first side of "Parano�d" is not equalled, this "MOR" one is really superb as well. The wonderful "Children of the Grave" closes it with power and grandeur. It is a very rhythmy song, very dynamic. Even spacey during the finale ! Did "Floyd" influenced "Sabbath" ?

When B-sides started it is almost as if one listens to a subtle "Howe" or "Hackett" kind of acoustic jewel. Delicate play by Iommi. If you don't know that piece of instrumental music, there is no way to imagine that this is a "Sabbath" number. Even if it lasts only for ninety seconds. Just a breathe before a classic, just routine song. Still, there is a great beat in "Lords of This World" and the quality of this album remains intact.

There is some flavour of "Planet Caravan" when you listen to "Solitude". You have to know that some of the band members (Ozzy and Bill) were on heavy drugs so maybe that this song saw the light after some trippy experience. It is my least fave of the album. The closing number delivers the same recipe but at this time it might be considered as a bit too much (or maybe that after having listened to three "Sabbath" albums in a row for these reviewing purposes it is becoming a bit too much).

Inspiration has declined with this album. Three stars.

ZowieZiggy | 3/5 | 2007-10-12

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