I'm going to be honest here, this album IS just as bad as the majority make it out to be. For one thing, Martin's vocals, which I've never really admired, rarely manage to bring any song out of complete and utter boredom, proving themselves to sound rather weak. The most interesting and best thing about this album is definitely Iommi's guitar work, but that's not saying much, since in my opinion, Sabbath have always been musically charged by his input into the sound. 'The Illusion of Power' makes for a really pitiful opener, and most of the other songs suffer in the same way from uninspired songwriting and half-baked musicianship (apart from Iommi), but there are two songs that grabbed my attention and even made me call them 'decent': 'Get a grip', which for the most part is very simplistic but is pretty solid, and closer 'kiss of death', which somehow reminds me of 'Lonely is the word' because of its melancholic touches and nice balladry. In all honesty these two songs and guitar work is why I've given this album a 4 and not a worse rating. Let's hope the new BS album with ozzy will at least improve upon the quality of this one then.

Written by musicalkaratekid on 17.02.2013 at 01:15

I'm going to be honest here, this album IS just as bad as the majority make it out to be. For one thing, Martin's vocals, which I've never really admired, rarely manage to bring any song out of complete and utter boredom, proving themselves to sound rather weak. The most interesting and best thing about this album is definitely Iommi's guitar work, but that's not saying much, since in my opinion, Sabbath have always been musically charged by his input into the sound. 'The Illusion of Power' makes for a really pitiful opener, and most of the other songs suffer in the same way from uninspired songwriting and half-baked musicianship (apart from Iommi), but there are two songs that grabbed my attention and even made me call them 'decent': 'Get a grip', which for the most part is very simplistic but is pretty solid, and closer 'kiss of death', which somehow reminds me of 'Lonely is the word' because of its melancholic touches and nice balladry. In all honesty these two songs and guitar work is why I've given this album a 4 and not a worse rating. Let's hope the new BS album with ozzy will at least improve upon the quality of this one then.

Firts 2 Martin albums was OK , but then they becaim so boring, same this, one time listening and I am bored
seems band try go back to ''epic'' way but cant and seems to me Martin vocals is best when there is keyboards, then guitars LOL

Written by musicalkaratekid on 17.02.2013 at 01:15

I'm going to be honest here, this album IS just as bad as the majority make it out to be. For one thing, Martin's vocals, which I've never really admired, rarely manage to bring any song out of complete and utter boredom, proving themselves to sound rather weak. The most interesting and best thing about this album is definitely Iommi's guitar work, but that's not saying much, since in my opinion, Sabbath have always been musically charged by his input into the sound. 'The Illusion of Power' makes for a really pitiful opener, and most of the other songs suffer in the same way from uninspired songwriting and half-baked musicianship (apart from Iommi), but there are two songs that grabbed my attention and even made me call them 'decent': 'Get a grip', which for the most part is very simplistic but is pretty solid, and closer 'kiss of death', which somehow reminds me of 'Lonely is the word' because of its melancholic touches and nice balladry. In all honesty these two songs and guitar work is why I've given this album a 4 and not a worse rating. Let's hope the new BS album with ozzy will at least improve upon the quality of this one then.

Firts 2 Martin albums was OK , but then they becaim so boring, same this, one time listening and I am bored
seems band try go back to ''epic'' way but cant and seems to me Martin vocals is best when there is keyboards, then guitars LOL

Awful album,but Rusty angels and I won't cry for you are awesome pieces.