Black Sabbath - Sabotage [Album]

Universal Music Group

September 25, 2009, 07:23 PM

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Another Black Sabbath Re-release is "Sabotage". Originally released in July 1975. Osbourne, Iommi, Butler and Ward produced their sixth album together, which was recorded at Morgan Studios in Willesden, North-West London.

"Sabotage" bursts into life with 'Hole In The Sky' with classic Sabbath riffs and souring vocals from Ozzy. Bill Ward's drumming is brutal and perfectly complements the thumping bass line. 'Don't Start (Too Late)' is an instrumental track that is a short piece of music sounding very much like a Spanish guitar passage. Then we go crashing back into more classic riff driven Sabbath with 'Symptom Of The Universe.' Along with 'Hole In The Sky' this became an anthem for fans, a firm favourite whenever Sabbath performed live. The track fades out with acoustic guitars returning to the previously mentioned Spanish esque style. 'Meglomania' see's Sabbath returning to what they do best, haunting melodic intro's, with subtle guitars, introducing a sinister sounding vocal and the unrelenting stop/start of the rhythm section that has a military feel to it, albeit at a fairly slow tempo. About a third of the way through a cowbell signals a tempo change, something which seems to be a common thing in Black Sabbath songs. Although the tempo moves up to a trot, the feel of the song remains constant. The guitar solo here is short and I suspect heavily processed in the production.

The second instrumental on the album 'Supertzar' has choral vocals in the intro, it sounds like nothing Sabbath have ever produced before. Further research reveals that it is in fact the English Chamber Choir! Quite impressive, with the vocals occasionally echoing the phrase Iommi plays on the guitar. This sets the stage for the only single from the album, another crowd pleaser 'Am I Going Insane (Radio)'. The single however didn't chart, but it follows the traditional Sabbath formula, heavy riffs, melodic rhythm section, intricate drumming and bid boggling bass line. The track then fades to some rather manic laughter.

The Final track on "Sabotage" is called 'The Writ' although on the promotional copy I have been sent it is listed as 'The Wait'? It is to be hoped that Universal corrects this error prior to release. This is a classic example of how to play a quiet / loud / quiet / loud song. It explodes into the riff and pounding drum beat. Then subsides at the two minute mark to keyboards provided on this album by Gerald Woodruffe. After 25 seconds or so the song once again blasts into the same riff as before and we enjoy several more verses before once again the song subsides, this time into acoustic guitar, this passage in the song reminds me of Alice Cooper's 'Steven' from his "Welcome To My Nightmare" album. The song again returns to its heavy riffs before another Cooper esque passage and then its riffs and drums to the end.

Although 'The Writ' is listed as the last track on the CD, this is not quite true. 'Blow On A Jug' is actually the final track! It is a 23 second song which is often tagged onto the end of 'The Writ'. It was in fact Ozzy and Bill Ward messing around in the studio. It's recorded at a very low level, so unless you have your stereo turned up, you may well miss it. On this release, it's not separated from the previous song.

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