Search - Black Sabbath :: Eternal Idol

Sabbath's Shining Moment...Rise Up!! :>)

R. A. Bean | knoxville, tn usa | 02/09/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1987 was a very `difficult' year for Black Sabbath. Or, `Tony Sabbath', as critics were starting to call them. Right after starting into the "Seventh Star" tour, vocalist Glenn Hughes was fired, and Ray Gillen was brought in. Then they went into the studio to cut the new album, and Ray then split, leaving Iommi no other option but to bring in Tony Martin and re-record the vocal tracks.

Well, what we have here is a very mixed result. In some way this is possibly the best Black Sabbath record yet, but in some it's the weakest.

The songs on this are killer. Especially the title track, "The Shining", "Nightmare", "Ancient Warrior", and "Glory Ride". The acoustic "Scarlet Pimpernel" is amazing, and a great throwback to early Sabbath stuff like "Fluff" and "Laguna Sunrise". And songs like "Born To Lose" and "Lost Forever" rock faster and harder than anything they have ever recorded. The problem isn't the material. The problem is in very weak production. Yes, this sounds too clean and crisp, and, well, not as dark and moody like Sabbath are known for. If you are looking for something with the malevolent dark crunching sound like "Mob Rules" and "Born Again", then you will more than likely be disappointed here. But, if you are looking for something fresh and new (and harkening back to things like "Technical Ecstasy" and "Never Say Die"), then you are gonna love this one! Martin is heavily compared to the likes of Ronnie James Dio. While I do hear shades of that, I hear more of a comparison to Don Dokken here on this record. Live, he sounds so much like Dio it's almost scary!!

As I mentioned, there are some tracks on this that are as classic as things like "War Pigs" up through "Heaven & Hell". The title track here is possibly my all-time favorite Sabbath track ever. The band on this are some excellent musicians as well. Tony kept drummer Eric Singer, but also had Bev Bevan do a bit of percussion work too. Bassist Bob Daisley was brought in to do work in the studio, but no plans to tour with them.

The tour this band put on was phenomenal! On the road, bassist Jo Burt and drummer Terry Chimes filled in for the MIA Daisley and Singer. Bottom line: This is a very highly recommended album from one of metal's best bands. If you get the chance, be sure to try and find a copy of this with Ray Gillen too. Hopefully someday Iommi will re-release this with a bonus cd of the demos with Ray...Until then, be sure to check this one out cause it is awesome!!

Thank you!! :>)"

Solid Album

Beastmaster | 09/05/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this album a little while ago and it keeps finding it's way back into my stereo on a regular basis. I have found some great riffs and solos on this album and have even gone to the length of learning them on my own guitar. There is however one song that I cannot listen to. The song Born To Lose. In all fairness to Tony Martin I realize he joined at the final moments of recording and that none of the lyrics are his, but that uhh-ahh uhh-ahh vocal annunciation all over the song just killed it for me. This is only my opinion, and one song should not keep you from checking out what is actually a solid album. Thank you to both Tonys."