Black Sabbath 13

[MacabreEternal]

Ok - first of all I don't care if Bill Ward is on the record or not the drums sit too low in the mix but it is by no means a massive problem. This review shall contain no further reference to drums or Bill Ward, I am bored of all that talk. If there was any doubt that Tony Iommi is truly a god then this album dispenses with any lingering doubt - the riffs on here are monstrous, hulking, gargantuan slabs of doom with just enough groove and blues to compliment Butler's bass. Osbourne was in danger of being the weak link in the chain for me (I have never rated him post Sabbath) but his menacing and sneering tones are perfect for this album. The opening track "End Of The Beginning" and "God Is Dead" set the tone perfectly for the rest of the record by the end of the second track it's obvious some actual thought went into this album. There is a sense of the Sabbath of old rumbling around like a disturbed beast showing occasional flashes of aggression and menacing fury. "Zeitgeist" is cool with Ozzy's spacey vocals and the accompanying ethereal atmosphere and "Age Of Reason" is an absolute monster of a track with it's proggy build and changes. The album is only really let down by "Loner", "Live Forever" and "Dear Father". Whilst never straying into filler territory they don't really stand up as on an equal par with the rest of the tracks. All in all "13" is a good album from a band line-up who haven't worked together for 35 years - if you know nothing about Sabbath you could quite easily pick this up and use it as a reverse stepping stone back to their heyday. Recommended.

[Jonnymetal]

Great review man! I agree with almost everything you mentioned. Except that I think "Loner" is a really wicked, old school sounding Sabbath song, love it. I also think the other two "Live Forever" and "Dear Father" will grow on you really quick. Giver another five listens, I love this entire album \m/

[JBaker]

I also think it's a great album. Seems strange that many people are disappointed with the album. I mean, Sabbath will always be Gods among men, but anyone expecting a Paranoid or Master of Reality part 2 had pretty unreasonable expectations IMO.

[Viking]

I guess I was expecting something unreasonable. It is ok but I don't think it is anything like their classics. Plus I'm not really a fan of Ozzy these days. I hate his wife and kids. They have ruined him. I think they made him soft.

[emprorzurg]

The deluxe version of this is defiantly the way to go, Methademic is a must own Sabbath track

[RelentlessOblivion]

I'm going to hold off on this one a little while otherwise the album can't possibly live up to my expectations

[NTNR]

I've heard enough to know it sucks. This is a band that should've given up the ghost decades ago.

[RelentlessOblivion]

I'm reserving judgement until I hear the album in full but yes they probably should have called it quits after Dehumanizer

[NTNR]

I'm reserving judgement until I hear the album in full but yes they probably should have called it quits after Dehumanizer

It was their best album.

[Downer]

It's not old school sabbath but its still kickass. For 35 years inactive only sabbath could release an album like this. Fathers of Metal \m/

[Atrocity]

I personally loved it. It has the same atmosphere,when you hear it, you know immediately it's Sabbath. I also think Ozzy did a very good job (I love his voice very much). I honestly hope they make another album, because I think it would be even better.

[Woutjinho]

It is a great album. Didn't expect it to be this good. Exactly, thesame pessimistic / doomy atmosphere.

[InfinityZero]

It is a great album. Didn't expect it to be this good. Exactly' date=' thesame pessimistic / doomy atmosphere.[/quote']Exactly the same, that's for sure, did anyone else notice how derivative of the old material it was? End of the Beginning was structured in almost the exact same way as the track Black Sabbath off the début, and just about every other track was just about as listless and lazy. Zeitgeist is a re-run of Planet Caravan.. I thought the album was good, but in such a blasé, average sense that there was little for me to connect to or be interested in. I think it was another case of a band trying to copy the exact formula that they believe the fans want without very much drive and motivation from the band's creativity. Either that, or they were nostalgically-obligated to have very similar tracks to what was on the first four albums. Also, as the original poster said, the production is terrible, mistreating not only the drums but the guitars as well (why is everything so muddy?) I think I would've liked 13 if it had more open experimentation and outside-the-box thinking that made the original albums so powerful. At the same time though, I don't hate 13, but I don't love it either. It's very middle-of-the-road to me. I suppose it could've been worse, though. And I haven't heard the bonus tracks yet, but I've heard they're better than what's on the actual album.On the other hand, I'm really glad that Black Sabbath got back together because I got to see them live when they were touring for 13 and they only played songs off of that album and the first four (the title track off the debut, Faries Wear Boots, Children of the Grave, omigod) , which was absolutely excellent. Plus, I got a signed drumstick and guitar pick from them, and they are now my most prized possessions!

[H34VYM3T4LD4V3]

I loved this album too, a great return to Sabbath's classic sound.

[Gomorrah]

I liked it! Obviously not their best album, but still very good. My favourite tracks on the album are: - End of the beginning - God is dead? - Age of reason