NEVER SAY DIE!

After Rick Wakeman who was responsible for the keys on "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", it is the turn of Don Airey ("Rainbow", "Purple") to participate here. It will also be the last appearence of Ozzy on vocals on any "Sabbath" studio release. He is definitely too much drug addicted and he will be sacked after this release. It is a sad affair because he IS "Sabbath" voice (even if he is not a great singer).

Dear old "Sabbath" shows again that in terms of openers they quite know how to do it. The title track "Never Say Die" is maybe not an extremely good song but it is rocking like hell; borrowing a lot to "Purple". It is my fave of the album and fully hard-rock oriented (in opposition to heavy metal).

But the he sound of this album is more rock-oriented. Some heavy ones but not many (the closing "Swinging The Chain" for instance). This album will even show a tendancy to produce more poppish songs (like "Junior's Eyes"). Some heavy-AOR as well (a new style ?) with "hard Road". But the latter is nothing interesting. One of the dullest one in their career so far. But actually, the band has released very few poor songs in such a long time. They have always globally been truthful to their great and straight heavy metal. And probably therefore been praised so much.

This album shows another orientation, not prog of course (this will be for the fourth millenium) but more in the FM-radio style. Not any worse than lots of bands who have chosen this direction ("Yes", Kansas", "Heep" etc.) but not any better of course.

Highlights are very scarce. If you except the title track, I guess that only "Johnny Blade" stands out. One of the true "Sabbath" ones available here. The poorest being achieved with "Break out".

This album is rather insipid, transparent. I had already this feeling during the "Sabotage" sessions (but to a much less extent of course); and the descent is seriously amplified here.

Two stars.