BMG [Release date 31.05.24]

Another solid box from BMG, and four long out-of-print albums get a release. This set features Headless Cross (1989), Tyr (1990), Cross Purposes (1994) and Forbidden (1995). And before anyone goes “The Tony Martin Years”, this is at no point mentioned on the package.

A much underrated and overlooked period in Sabbath’s history, this set has been long due, much anticipated, and looks a wonderful package, even if it doesn’t quite do what it says on the tin.

There are many eras in the Sabbath history, and as Iommi is quoted in the book; If someone leaves a company, you don’t change the company name, you just carry one with someone else. And that’s exactly what they’ve done. And with the band’s deal with Vertigo coming to an end, the band signed to IRS and a new era opened.

After a period of flux, mid 80s, things looked like they’d start to settle for Black Sabbath, following the excellent Eternal Idol album in 1987. For that album, singer Tony Martin had been drafted in at short notice, too late to be involved with the song writing. By the time the band came to record Headless Cross (the first album here), he was settled in the band and able to contribute.

1989’s Headless Cross featured, alongside Tony Martin and guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Laurence Cottle, keyboard player Geoff Nicholls and drummer Cozy Powell (the latter fresh out of Gary Moore’s band). This album regularly features in fans’ favourite Sabbath albums and rightly so.

Here the production is solid, crisp, clean and clear, making their early work sound almost sludgy by comparison. And after the instrumental intro of The Graves Of Hell, the title track kicks off with a wonderful and equally heavy riff, and Martin’s vocals do stand out. A voice that suits Sabbath perfectly, as on stage he could handle both the Ozzy and Dio material excellently, mixing it up fluidly.

By all reports Powell’s strength of character brought much to the band and he and Iommi worked well, producing the album together too.

The track Devil And Daughter is another wonderful track, heavy yet accessible. Then When Death Calls, just shy of 7 minutes, an atmospheric start that builds well, and features a guitar solo from Brian May. Overall it’s an essential listen, Sabbath or otherwise. The only bonus is the original CD bonus track Cloak And Dagger.

1990’s Tyr, now featuring bassist Neil Murray as a full time member (he’d joined for the Headless Cross tour). A heavier and darker album, a departure from the more usual Sabbath sound, it’s still a great album. Hearing it again here now, while many contemporary reviews had issue with the drums drowning out everything ese, yes they’re prominent, but that period comment is just not true. This is one of Sabbath’s hardest albums to find so good to have a reissue here.

While a few songs talk about Norse mythology, it’s far from a concept album. Quite intense at times, so the lighter (almost whimsical) Odin’s Court breaks it up nicely. Sadly no bonus tracks, which could have included the live material added to the single from the album. I was at the Hammersmith show on this tour, where Brian May guested, and it was wonderful, and testament to how well Tony Martin could cover the Dio and Ozzy material.

Back in 1996, Cozy told me “I thought that was a good period in the band’s life. Everyone got on really well. No complaints, it just all went downhill from there”.

For 1992’s Dehumanizer it was all change, with the Mob Rules line-up returning. As Cozy told me: “I’d had an accident with a horse and was unceremoniously booted out the band. Ronnie Dio came back in and didn’t really want me in the band anyway.

I had turned down his solo album to stay in Rainbow, maybe that’s been a sore point. He got booted out of Rainbow and asked me in spite of Ritchie, and since then has hated my guts”. Although with the injury, the timescale of recording could have been an issue. That album has been previously reissued as a 2CD, so is not included here.

Skip to 1994’s Cross Purposes, and a returning Tony Martin, the album also featured keyboard player Geoff Nicholls, original bassist Geezer Butler and former Rainbow drummer Bobby Rondinelli. Another great album, and another from the period getting it’s first official reissue.

A good album, and strong and varied lyrics, but more notable fillers than the previous two albums. A live album followed; “Cross Purposes Live”, that sadly is not featured here.

Last album is Forbidden, which is given a remix here. Although the band featured a returning Cozy Powell and Neil Murray, the album’s recording did not go smoothly, and the reception upon release was not good.

In hindsight that’s a little unfair. Produced and mixed by Body Count’s Ernie C (a record company decision) was perhaps not the best decision in the world, and a producer telling Cozy Powell how to play the drums is Route One to upsetting everything. And it did. Outside commitments and contracts made it difficult for everyone to be in the studio at the same time too.

The album tried to infuse trad heavy metal and blues, there are some good and solid moments, and compared to the original release it does sound better from Iommi’s remix. However, for all the band’s efforts, it lacks vibe and cohesion.

Cozy sums it up with: “I was invited back and I tried to recreate the same spirit that was there when we did the ‘Headless Cross’. Unfortunately this time it wasn’t quite there, I don’t know why. Maybe people change over the years, there were a couple of things that weren’t quite right, then they brought in a producer who’s never really done a heavy rock album before. His ideas, whether good or bad, featured on the drums, so my drum sound went out the window.

I was very unhappy with the way the kit sounded and the way that I played. I couldn’t really promote ‘Forbidden’ and say it was the greatest thing I’d ever done when I didn’t believe it. I backed off from the promotional tour, because if you don’t feel that way it’s better not to do it at all.

We did a tour of America which was absolutely horrendous, possibly the worst tour I’ve ever done. It was badly booked. The agent in America did it at the last minute, we weren’t drawing the audiences that we wanted to, the record company were not getting behind the band. It was a very difficult time. I also had a few personal problems. I needed to get off the road which I couldn’t do because the tour was 8 months solid, so I said to the manager I’d finish the U.S. tour and get out and you find a replacement drummer”.

Over the four albums (each in a card sleeve with poly inner – tick), you probably have two 10/10 essential albums in Headless Cross and Tyr, and another album’s worth of solid (almost excellent) Sabbath. And between album(s) not included and the lack of bonus tracks, a missed opportunity or two.

But then on to the package, which is wonderful. Almost faultless. A Headless Cross poster and repro full tour program make a good start. Then the book, with notes from Hugh Gilmore, full of quotes from members of the band. Very informative.

Absolutely top marks for the package, some fantastic music long overdue, but a missed opportunity or two. ****1/2

Review by Joe Geesin

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)