SABOTAGE

Make no mistake, this release represents one of the heaviest Hard Rock albums out there, depicting the band doing exactly what they needed in order to keep things relatively fresh. Although, it's still not clear whether the hardcore fans were interested in much change, considering that Vol 4 is even today regarded as one of Black Sabbath's best releases! Some even claim that the fact that Black Sabbath had already, almost single-handedly, carved out most of the rules of Hard Rock formula should be enough for them to stop trying. As a fan of progress I completely disagreeable with that opinion, since it was that mentality that lead to the two disaster followup releases that I shall retain from calling out by name.

The heavy first side of Sabotage is where most of the best material is, but unlike Paranoid, Sabbath doesn't change their direction during the second act. Even though songs like Supertzar and Am I Going Insane might first seem very different from anything that the band had recorded up to this point, a few revisits will hopefully unveil some of their better qualities, making them work well together with the rest of the tracks. After all, this is a strictly song-based album so I'm primarily concerned with the quality of the album's material which is safely in order on Sabotage!

This would be the last great release by the original Black Sabbath lineup since the band would spend the second half of the '70s in a complete cloud of smoke while observing all these new Sabbath-inspired acts passing them by in both the instrumental skill and in the songwriting departments. Just like most of the albums that came before it, this is another must have release for all Hard Rock music fans out there!

***** star songs: Symptom Of The Universe (6:28)

**** star songs: Hole in the Sky (4:00) Don't Start (Too Late) (0:49) Megalomania (9:40) The Thrill Of It All (5:52) Supertzar (3:42) Am I Going Insane (Radio) (4:15) The Writ (8:09)

Share this BLACK SABBATH review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Rune2000
• Report this review (#297528)
• Buy BLACK SABBATH music online with PA partners
• Show all BLACK SABBATH MP3/Stream
• Go to BLACK SABBATH page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Sabotage page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for BLACK SABBATH related discussions