Black Sabbath
Born Again

THE REVIEW

I apologize if I'm already spoiling the ending, but the only one to blame for this MASTERPIECE is Tony Iommi.

Because it is indeed a masterpiece, even if few will tell you so, but let's proceed in order and start with his adventure companions. Ian Gillan, yes him, the ex-Purple, an 'impossible' recruit after the departure of another big name like R. J. Dio, will not only claim to have signed with Sabbath while under the influence (but who believes that someone like him would sign anything without three lawyers in tow?), but he will further assert that he vomited upon seeing the cover and listening to the finished product, with “that horrible bass that drowned everything out.” Geezer Butler, the owner of that horrible bass, will essentially say the same things, confessing he wasn't too motivated to go on tour, while drummer Bill Ward just needed to return to base after health problems in the past two years - the burden remains on Iommi who perhaps only renounced the use of the Holy name.

Album that is a mandatory listen for those who think the heaviest Sabbath era was with Ozzy: put it on and the leaden “Zero The Hero” will suffice, but you will also discover how to play heavy blues at melting temperature (“Keep It Warm”), how to bring out the most demonic side of a singer who was considered finished and who previously might have been limited to some borderline hysterical screams (“Disturbing The Priest”, inspired by the complaints of a neighboring priest during the recording sessions), or even how to play at the edge of speed without losing an ounce of class (“Thrashed”). However, the true gem of the album is the one that gives it its title, slow with a goosebump-inducing Gillan and the other three who are equally impressive, a true unrecognized classic.

Cover the cover...