SEVENTH STAR

After the collapse of the "Born Again" lineup, Black Sabbath returned in 1986 with "Seventh Star", a strange and controversial chapter in their history!

Originally intended as a Tony Iommi solo album, it was released under the Black Sabbath name due to label pressure. As a result, the record feels disconnected from the band's legacy, both in sound and spirit.

Right from the start, In for the Kill sets a tone that has little to do with the classic Sabbath sound. It's a fast, cleanly produced heavy metal track, with Glenn Hughes delivering a strong vocal performance. However, it leans more toward the Gary Moore of the 1980s ("After the War", "Wild Frontier") than anything resembling early Sabbath. Things quickly get worse with No Stranger to Love, a forgettable soft-rock ballad that fails to justify its presence on any Sabbath record.

But luckily, Turn to Stone is a highlight! With its NWOBHM energy and powerful riff, it feels like it could have belonged on one of the Dio-era albums. It's one of the few tracks that leaves a solid impression. Sphinx (The Guardian) follows as a short mystical instrumental that sets the stage for Seventh Star, a mid-tempo heavy track with eastern flourishes and one of Iommi's best performances on the album. These two songs offer a glimpse of what the record could have been.

Unfortunately, the second half of the album drags. Danger Zone is flat, formulaic hard rock, with verses that go nowhere and a chorus that feels like something out of a B-grade action movie. Heart Like a Wheel is a slow blues number that features some thick, expressive guitar work, but overall lacks inspiration. Angry Heart starts strong with a punchy riff and some promising keyboard work, but collapses under a syrupy chorus. Finally, In Memory ends the album on a somber, forgettable note, more melancholic than memorable.

Despite these flaws, Iommi's guitar playing is consistently excellent, and Glenn Hughes brings a unique voice to the record. The production is polished, perhaps too much so. Crystal clear but sterile, lacking the grit and weight expected from a Sabbath release.

Conclusion: "Seventh Star" should never have carried the Black Sabbath name. It's a sometimes competent but generally directionless album with a few redeeming tracks. A curious footnote in the band's history, more notable for its context than its content.

Best tracks: Turn to Stone, Seventh Star, In for the Kill.

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