Sabbath sure seems to be finding a lot in the vault these days.
I would strongly suspect that Mike Exeter would do a remix as he was reported to have done the Forbidden remix and seems to be Iommi's "go-to" guy. Exeter has a mixed-bag reputation. Just within the last couple of years Cradle of Filth released a remix of their "Cruelty and the Beast" album as the original mix from 1998 is widely considered to be a complete disaster. The remix was indeed a great improvement. Mike Exeter was the guy who did the original mix.
Tony Iommi has confirmed that the albums BLACK SABBATH recorded with singer Tony Martin will be reissued in 2023.
The legendary SABBATH guitarist touched upon the group's re-release plans while celebrating what would have been drummer Cozy Powell's 75th birthday on Thursday, December 29.
Iommi took to his social media to share a photo of Powell and he included the following message: "Cozy Powell would have been 75 today. Looking forward to the release of the IRS albums in 2023, a tribute to his great playing."
Martin most recently spoke about previously announced plans to reissue the albums he recorded with SABBATH last month in an interview with Canada's The Metal Voice. At the time he said: "Honestly, I have no idea what's happening with it. I know it's gonna be next year, but that's all I know."
This past summer, Martin told "The Rock And Metal Profs: The History And Philosophy Of Rock And Metal" podcast that "two record labels" were going to re-release the albums he recorded with SABBATH. "I don't know when, and I don't know what it's gonna look like," he said. "There was some suggestion a while back that we might be able to put extra tracks and stuff on it. I did offer, and I went to see [BLACK SABBATH guitarist] Tony Iommi and offered some things. And then he said we can't use anything new 'cause nothing new can be released under the BLACK SABBATH name. It can only be stuff that's got the original four members on it.
"I'm expecting it to be a remixed version of whatever the original was; that's what I'm expecting," Tony added. "So I await as you do to find out. Let me know if you hear it first."
When the interviewer expressed hope that the box set will include some live recordings from the Martin era of SABBATH, either in audio or video format, Tony said: "I recorded the writing session with… Eddie Van Halen came over and helped us write one of the tracks [for 1994's 'Cross Purposes' album]. And I had an eight-track recorder at the time in the 1980s, and I used to take it everywhere, this thing. I've got all of the writing sessions and rehearsals recorded. So I sent [Iommi] this, and he went, 'Wow! That's fucking great.' And I said, 'Well, you're welcome to use it, if you wanna put that on.' So, I don't know… Maybe you'll get that on there."
Martin added: "It's great to hear Eddie play."
BLACK SABBATH released six albums with Martin on vocals: "The Eternal Idol" (1987),"Headless Cross" (1989),"Tyr" (1990),"Cross Purposes" (1994),"Cross Purposes Live" (1995) and "Forbidden" (1995). Eventually, Martin and his "Forbidden"-era bandmates were ousted when Iommi reunited with SABBATH's fellow original members
Tony Iommi’s 2023 New Year’s Message to fans. He mentions work on a new album (presumably a solo release), the upcoming Tony Martin reissues (which he refers to as a box set, but given the context, I tend to think he means Deluxe Editions), and says that the Martin era releases will be followed by reissues of his solo albums (also deluxe editions?)
As far as Iommi's different labels comment, Cross Purposes Live was re-issued on DVD by Eagle Rock Entertainment in 2010. I guess it's possible that Eagle Rock bought that instead of just licensing it. Can't think of anything else that would be with a different label as these albums were released on IRS worldwide, which I think all went under Universal when IRS went belly up.
The Eternal Idol is on a different label, so I guess if the collection is to include all of the Tony Martin albums, then there would be the rights issues to work through with that one. But I'm under the impression that this isn't intended to be a "Tony Martin" box, but rather an "IRS albums" box, and am not anticipating that The Eternal Idol will be a part of it.
Everything that I've read about this seems to indicate that this will indeed be a box set of the albums, not individual deluxe edition releases. I don't think there would be enough interest in most of these to release them on their own. But I'm not expecting much in the way of bonus material. The B-side Cloak & Dagger should appear on Headless Cross, the Japanese bonus songs What's the Use and Loser Gets It All should appear on Cross Purposes and Forbidden, respectively. The remix of Forbidden. I'm not expecting much of anything outside of that. As far as other stuff that was officially released from this era, the only things that I can think of are single edits for Headless Cross and Feels Good To Me, and the Feels Good To Me single had live versions of Heaven & Hell and Paranoid as B-sides. I'm expecting it to be much like the Dio-era The Rules of Hell box set. That didn't have any bonus material on it at all, unless you count the Time Machine remix with IMO shouldn't be counted at all since it was on the original CD issue. But for these set, I do think Cloak & Dagger, What's the Use and Loser Gets It All will probably be included. If not, then this box would be pretty much a complete waste as the only thing in it for the die-hards is the Forbidden remix, which isn't that big of a draw since majority opinion very, very likely has this as Sabbath's worst album.
I do have a CD version of Cloak & Dagger in my collection, but do not have the 2 Japanese bonus songs. Those are my only interest in this set. If they are not included, I will very likely pass despite being a Sabbath fan and a fan of Tony Martin. I'm not all that interested in the Forbidden remix as I fit in the majority and find it a pretty bad album (not the worst though, I would give that to Technical Ecstasy). And as far as remasters, if they get someone like Andy Pearce to do the work, then I would be interested. But if Mike Exeter does the remasters, I'm betting my original CD versions will sound just as good, if not better.
For Headless Cross there’s the excellent rarity “Cloak and Dagger” as mentioned, audio and video of both Russian concerts, the single edit of the title track, the FM radio show from Manchester and the demos.
For Tyr, there’s the demos and the single edit of “Feels Good to Me”, many audio and video concerts (but nothing FM or pro-shot).
For Cross Purposes, there’s the awesome Japanese track “What’s the Use?”, several FM and/or soundboard shows, three pro-shot concerts from South America with Iommi/Martin/Butler/Ward/Nicholls as the lineup and demos as well as the Eddie Van Halen sessions (if that gets cleared).
Cross Purposes Live has NEVER had an official release on DVD, just several crappy, unauthorized versions missing songs, and the audio CD could be expanded to a 2 CD release with the three songs deleted from the original.
As for Forbidden, as mentioned there’s the fantastic Japanese bonus track “Loser Gets it All” (which I have in the comp Sabbath Stones), an FM broadcast from Sweden, the pro-shot show from Malta, the version of “Illusion of Power” without Ice-T, the demos and of course, new remix and who knows what else for all of these.
So…what will they do?
Even if it’s just remasters with no bonus cuts, I’m fine.
I do think they will use some of what I mentioned, but probably not a lot.
Getting rid of the reverb on Headless Cross would make me happy, but I’m just glad to see this finally happening.
_________________ "We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."—College Basketball player Weldon Drew
I want to delve into this era, but I'm torn between getting a mid-90s Castle remaster of The Eternal Idol or seeking out the deluxe with the original versions recorded with Ray Gillen.
I whipped this up today. Last night I saw a photo of Tony in his younger days (probably mid-60s). I never had seen that one before. Anyway, I made this collage from over the decades. Enjoy.
Rhino has a new vinyl version of the first Black Sabbath album on their website. It's cut by Kevin Grey and pressed by Optimal. I stopped paying attention to the quality of vinyl out of particular plants once I decided I was not going back to vinyl (maybe 10 years ago). But back then, Quality Record Pressings had by far the best reputation of the North American plants and Optimal had the best reputation of the European plants.
But really, how much can $haron and Warner Bros keep milking these early Sabbath records?
This is the new 2024 release. In 2023 this album was re-released on vinyl from 2012 re-mastered audio. In 2022 this album was re-released twice, once as a 2 LP version with an album of bonus songs and once as a purple and black splatter pressing. In 2020 it was released as the special 50th anniversary edition. In the last 5 years, this album has literally gotten a "hyped" re-release on vinyl 5 times. Also worth noting that in 2023, it was issued as a picture disk as part of the Hand of Doom box set, which was picture disk versions of the original Ozzy era studio albums.
I'm very pleased with myself for never going back to vinyl, where I may have needlessly been tempted by dumb releases like this which would cost me $40 every year to put the exact same music in my collection over and over and over and over again.
From Tony Iommi’s Facebook account: The original Black Sabbath line-up will perform one final show together, headlining a star-studded line-up.
(Note: Among the guests: Papa V Perpetua - This appears to be the first mention of the next identity of Tobias Forge (Ghost)).
Quote:
It’s been an incredible journey, but it’s only fitting that it ends here, where it all began in Aston. It’s great to be honoured by your fellow musicians and at the same time support good causes. None of this would’ve been possible without Ozzy, Geezer, and Bill. What we created together was bigger than any one of us, and I’ll always be grateful for that. Tony
The original @BlackSabbath – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – will play for the first time in 20 years. The band will take to the stage to headline BACK TO THE BEGINNING on July 5th at Villa Park.
Music Director @TomMorello said: “This will be the greatest heavy metal show ever.”
BACK TO THE BEGINNING will feature sets from @Metallica, @Slayer, @Pantera, @Gojiramusic, @Halestorm, @AliceInChains, @LambOfGod, @Anthrax and @Mastodon The all-day event will also feature a supergroup of musicians. Artists announced so far include @BillyCorgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), David M Draiman (Disturbed),Duff McKagan & Slash (Guns ‘n Roses), Frank Bello (Anthrax), FredDurst (Limp Bizkit), Jake E Lee, Jonathan Davis (Korn), KK Downing, Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Mike Bordin (Faith No More), Rudy Sarzo,Sammy Hagar (The Red Rocker) , Scott Ian (Anthrax), Sleep Token ii (Sleep Token), Papa V Perpetua (Ghost),Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Wolfgang Van Halen and Zakk Wylde . More names will be announced shortly. Tickets go on sale at 10am GMT on Friday 14th February 2025 at LiveNation.co.uk. All profits will go to the following charities: Cure Parkinson's , Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice, a Children’s Hospice supported by Aston Villa.
Last edited by cryton on Thu Feb 06, 2025 1:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
Yeah, I expect I will at least half ass see if I can get a ticket to this. Was wondering what I was going to do for travel, dont' want to go to the states, and this is a killer line up.
Only downside? Of the actual performing bands, Alice in Chains is the only one I haven't seen more than once already (31 shows across the bands), and even in terms of special guests, Jake E Lee and Sleep Token are the only new ones. But damn, this is a powerful line up.
Yeah, I expect I will at least half ass see if I can get a ticket to this. Was wondering what I was going to do for travel, dont' want to go to the states,
The show is in the U.K., isn't it?
_________________ “Don’t take life too serious. It ain’t nohow permanent.”
Yeah, I expect I will at least half ass see if I can get a ticket to this. Was wondering what I was going to do for travel, dont' want to go to the states,
The show is in the U.K., isn't it?
It is - in their home town Football stadium in fact - but the UK is nice that time of year. I'm not sure Birmingham is, but there's no harm. 10 hours of music with that line up? It's worth a shot.
After the Genesis debacle, I would have zero interest in watching a version of Sabbath with the singer in a wheelchair. If Mick Jagger can get out there on stage and do it like a 30 year old can...I'm all for it. But old guys in wheelchairs...time for the retirement home.
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