Mini album reviews

[agamerwholovesmetal]

This is a little thing I'm going to do weekly (or at least try) were I just do a bunch of small quick reviews of albums I listened to over the week, starting with.

Tony Martin Era Black Sabbath

The Eternal Idol

This record is pretty good, It suffers from the lackluster bass from the previous record but it’s still pretty good. Eric Singer’s drumming is far better on this album (even if he still doesn't come close to their previous drummers and especially cozy on the next album) and Tony Iommi’s riffing is as solid as ever. The real highlight of the album and (most) of the rest to come is Tony Martins vocals, he hasn't reached absolute badassery yet but his performance is still killer. Overall, a great start to this era of black sabbath even if it does get better from here.

Best tracks: hard life to love, lost forever, title track.

Score: 8.5/10

 

Headless Cross

This album is to put it simply, perfect. The lyrics on this album are masterfully written and are possibly the darkest and most satanic the band has ever been. Everyone's performance is absolutely amazing. Tony Martin's voice is so powerful, every one of Iommi's riffs is dark and heavy, Cozy Powell's drumming is a huge highlight of the album, and Geoff Nicholls gives one of the best performances in his entire career with the band. The record has this incredible dark and foreboding atmosphere throughout. It is truly a perfect record. 

Best tracks: The whole damn thing

Score: 10/10

 

Tyr 

This album is just more of Headless Cross but with a norse theme as opposed to a satanic one… which is good because that  record was a masterpiece in sabbath's discography. The writing is still just as strong, Tony Martins vocals are still a joy to hear, and it’s a little more atmospheric than the last record.

Best tracks: jerusalem, the sabbath stones, heaven in black

Score: 9/10

 

Cross Purposes 

This album was a pleasant surprise, I went in expecting an average album and was instantly blown away by the first track “I witness”, it was so fast paced and heavy, it honestly sounded like it could have come off of one of their early 80s records and the album kept that momentum through the full 50 minutes. It’s an easy recommendation from me

Best tracks: I witness, cross of thorns, virtual death

Score: 8/10

 

Forbidden

This album is just plain weird. It has a few good moments like “shaking off the chains” but for the most part it’s just weird. Tony Martin doesn't sound anything like he did on the previous albums, ice-t is featured on the first track of this album, and it doesn't feel anything like a sabbath record even more so than seventh star.

Best tracks: Shaking off the chains, title track

Score: 5.5/10

[agamerwholovesmetal]

Born again (1983) - black sabbath

This is an album I heard last week but didn’t get the time to properly review and it’s a solid record. It’s good to see bill ward back playing with the band and ian gillen gives an epic performance. He just screams every chance he can on this record and I’m honestly a little disappointed he didn’t stick around longer, I would have loved to hear what a second album with this line up would have sounded like.

Best tracks: trashed, disturbing the priest, zero the hero

Score: 8/10

 

Sodomy (2023) - sodomy

This is a new band from south america that describes their music as “speed war black metal” and their self titled full length debut is a nice slice of old school black metal. The band is obviously very influenced by the first wave of black metal venom and bathory in particular which is very refreshing as that style of black metal seems to be harder and harder to find so if your a big fan of early bathory check it out you won't be disappointed

Best tracks: necronomicon ex mortis, evil is eternal

Score: 8.5/10

 

Volcanic rock (1973) - buffalo

One of my favorite albums from the 70s and an album that helped shape the very early metal scene, despite decent sales the album and the band as a whole don’t seem to get talked about much which is a shame. The opening track sunrise is incredibly catchy and heavy, freedom is a nine minute long psychedelic trip, and the last two tracks pound of flesh and shylocke are worth going through the whole album just to hear.  Pound of flesh is a four and a half minute instrumental intro that never seems to drag despite its unusually long length for an instrumental from around this time and shylock is a fantastic closer that’s fast paced, heavy, and chaotic. so if you want to hear a heavy album from around this time and don’t want to listen to paranoid or master of reality for the millionth time throw this one on.

Best tracks: sunrise, pound of flesh, shylock

Score: 9/10