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The Sabs had declared that "Vol 4" would be their most varied product ever.
In a period when numerous bands had risked damaging their credibility by offering the ever-growing Heavy Rock scene (the term Heavy Metal was not in vogue then) decidedly innovative productions compared to their successful beginnings, the four from Birmingham did not seem to care much about such frivolous conservative paranoias, which to this day sadly grip numerous musical scenes.
Having abandoned the expressive ferocity and the cadenced darkness that had characterized their musical paths up to that point, Black Sabbath presented themselves as a band devoid of any fear towards sonic experimentation, suggesting a possible comparison with the new Progressive school that had bands like Genesis, Yes, and ELP at its peak.
Inexplicably criticized by the press, the album presents a unique and particular compactness, resulting in a fascinating and melancholic experience if captured in its entirety. An uninterrupted suite, a direct path to the heart of the sonic experience of the four members, which takes shape during the long instrumental tail of the opening track ("Wheels Of Confusion" which inevitably suggests a reference to the already mentioned Progressive scene), cradles you with a classic and very delicate ballad (the surprising "Changes") only to then plunge into the empty existence to which cocaine abuse condemns ("Snowblind").
A special mention certainly deserves the astounding mastery of Tony Iommi, from whose hands riffs spring that, while shining with their own light, never seem decontextualized from the melodic structure of the tracks ("Supernaut" is certainly the best example).
A journey outside the artistic path typical of Osbourne and his companions, rich in strength and emotional charge. Not epochal but particular.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 Tomorrow's Dream (03:13)
Well I'm leaving tomorrow at daybreak
catch the fastest train around nine
Yes I'm leaving the sorrow and heartache
before it takes me away from my mind
Send me love and I may let you see me
Send me hopes that can spin in my head
But if you really want me to answer
I can only let you know when I'm dead
When sadness fills my days
It's time to turn away
and then tomorrow's dreams
become reality to me
So realize I'm much better without you
You're not the one and only thing in my heart
I'll just go back to pretending I'm living
so this time I'm gonna have to depart
03 Changes (04:45)
I feel unhappy, I feel so sad
I've lost the best friend, that I ever had.
She was my woman, I love her so.
But it's too late now, I've let her go.
I'm going through changes.
I'm going through changes.
We shared the years, we shared each day.
In love together, we found a way.
But soon the world, had it's evil way.
My heart was blinded, love went astray.
I'm going through changes.
I'm going through changes.
It took so long, to realize.
And I can still hear her last goodbyes.
Now all my days, are filled with tears.
Wish I could go back, and change these years.
I'm going through changes.
I'm going through changes.
05 Supernaut (04:39)
I want to reach out and touch the sky
I want to touch the sun
But I don't need to fly
I'm gonna climb up every mountain of the moon
Find the dish that ran away with the spoon
I've crossed the ocean, turned every bend
I found the crossing near a golden rainbow's end
I've been through magic and through life's reality
I've lived a thousand years and it never bothered me
Got no religion, don't need no friends
Got all I want and I don't need to pretend
Don't try to reach me, 'cause I'd tear up your mind
I've seen the future and I've left it behind
06 Snowblind (05:34)
What You Get Aint What You See
Things That Don't Come Easily
Feelin' Happy In My Pain
Icicles Within My Brain
(Cocaine)
Somethin' Blowin' In My Head
Winds Of Ice That Soon Will Spread
Death Would Freeze My Very Soul
Makes Me Happy Makes Me Cold
My Eyes Are Blind But I Can See
The Snowflakes Glisten On The Tree
The Sun No Longer Sets Me Free
I Feel The Snow Place Freezing Me
Let The Winter Sun Shine On
Let Me Feel The Frost Of Dawn
Fill My Dreams With Flakes Of Snow
Soon I'll Feel The Chilling Glow
Don't You Think I Know What I'm Doing
Don't Tell Me That It's Doing Me Wrong
You're The One Who's Really A Loser
This Is Where I Feel I Belong
Crystal World With Winter Flowers
Turns My Days To Frozen Hours
Lying Snowblind In The Sun
Will My Ice Age Ever Come?
07 Cornucopia (03:54)
Too much near the truth they say
Keep it 'til another day
Let them have their little game
Delusion helps to keep them sane
Let them have their little toys
Matchbox cars and more kids joys
Exciting in their plastic ways
Frozen food in a concrete place
Your gonna go insane
I'm tryin' to save your brain
Alright!
I don't know what's happening
My head's all torn inside
People say I'm heavy
They don't know what I hide
Take a life it's going cheap
Kill someone no one will weep
Freedom's yours just pay your dues
We just want your soul to use
Your gonna go insane
I'm tryin' to save your brain
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Other reviews
By poeta
When Osbourne took command of the Black Sabbath that year, he deliberately set about relentlessly producing timeless masterpieces!
Those who called Osbourne Ozzy the "proletarian of heavy music" were not wrong, I tell you because he bit the head off a flying rat!
By Nottetempo88
"Vol. 4 marks a stylistic turn from the previously published works by Black Sabbath."
"Under the Sun... a true masterpiece, opening with a very dark riff and ending in a chilling solo."
By Tragopano
If there is one term that can describe this album, it is 'discontinuous'.
The general impression is that of a jumble of poorly developed ideas, left only in potential, that do not go beyond the dimension of filler.
