It's taken an eternity to get here, but the material from Black Sabbath's Tony Martin-fronted era is finally getting a rerelease. Comprising of 'Headless Cross', 'Tyr', 'Cross Purposes', and 'Forbidden', 'Anno Domini 1989 - 1995' collects together all but one of the band's albums featuring the singer that drummer Cozy Powell once called the best Black Sabbath ever had.
For many, Ozzy Osbourne is the only front man for Black Sabbath. Others will concede that the brace of albums the Birmingham originators made with Ronnie James Dio are worthy to stand alongside that of their original tenure. However, once line-ups started shifting and singers changed sometimes twice yearly - Ian Gillan (1983), Glenn Hughes (1986) , Ray Gllen (1986) - many lost interest, which is a shame, because all the while, talismanic band leader Tony Iommi never stopped creating doom metal riffs, heavy hooks, and, in the Tony Martin years which this superb set covers, some of the most overlooked metal music in history.
Joining the band quickly after Gillen was ousted, for 1987's 'The Eternal Idol', Martin fronted Sabbath for a further four albums in two separate stints - interrupted by the band's brief 1992 reunion with Dio for 'Dehumanizer' - all of which are collected here for 'Anno Domini 1989 - 1995'.
Long out of print and missing from streaming services, this has been a long time coming, with Iommi admiting to eonmusic as far back as 2017 that; "I’d like to get them reissued again, absolutely. I think they were good stuff that some people never even heard."
Coming along in the late eighties, this was a more bombastic, finely finessed version of Black Sabbath, with layered harmony vocals, big keyboards [courtesy of the late Geoff Nicholls], and - 'Forbidden' excepted - a brighter, contemporary production.
It begins with 'Headless Cross', and released in 1989 at a time when the band were struggling to rebuild their reputation, it has, in the years since, come to be regarded as a later period classic. With the title track, keys-heavy earworm 'Devil and Daughter', and 'When Death Calls' featuring an unmistakable solo from Iommi's BFF, Brian May. It's undoubtedly the most well-known of the bunch, as evidenced by the huge poster of its album artwork that comes with this set.
Wishing to step away from doom metal cliches, the Norse mythology-themed 'Tyr' followed a year later, and with Cozy Powell on board, some much needed credibility was restored. Unfortunately though, it was a commercial failure, thanks in part to a ludicrous decision to release melodic ballad 'Feels Good to Me' as it's lead single. A flop it may have been, but it was another stellar release, with Powell's heavy-hitting adding extra oomph, and Martin shining on the likes of opener 'Anno Mundi' - which features a beast of a riff from Iommi - and the aforementioned 'Feels Good to Me'.
With Geezer Butler remaining following the 'Dehumanizer' reunion, 'Cross Purposes' [1994] featured two original members of the band, yet was sadly overshadowed by its predecessor. Driving opener 'I Witness' features that unmistakable Butler rumble, while an uncredited Eddie Van Halen co-wrote 'Evil Eye'.
All of the above have been newly remastered and sound amazing, however it's the final album in the set, 1995's 'Forbidden' that has been given a complete remix, and given its original tinny production by Body Count's Ernie C, is the greatest revelation. With more bottom end and clarity, the likes of 'Get a Grip', the title track, and 'Rusty Angels' are now more than worthy to stand alongside the other highlights in this set.
As with the other super deluxe sets in this series, 'Anno Domini 1989 - 1995' is beautifully presented, with a sturdy box with unique artwork housing the four vinyl LPs. The set is completed by a softcover book of extensive liner notes, lyrics and an exhaustive essay, as well as a poster and a reproduction 'Headless Cross' tour programme.
An era that's been all too often often written off, it's great to see it finally getting an official acknowledgement. A fantastic reminder that no matter the personnel, Tony Iommi never lost his crown as the ultimate riff lord.
Joining the band quickly after Gillen was ousted, for 1987's 'The Eternal Idol', Martin fronted Sabbath for a further four albums in two separate stints - interrupted by the band's brief 1992 reunion with Dio for 'Dehumanizer' - all of which are collected here for 'Anno Domini 1989 - 1995'.
Long out of print and missing from streaming services, this has been a long time coming, with Iommi admiting to eonmusic as far back as 2017 that; "I’d like to get them reissued again, absolutely. I think they were good stuff that some people never even heard."
Coming along in the late eighties, this was a more bombastic, finely finessed version of Black Sabbath, with layered harmony vocals, big keyboards [courtesy of the late Geoff Nicholls], and - 'Forbidden' excepted - a brighter, contemporary production.
It begins with 'Headless Cross', and released in 1989 at a time when the band were struggling to rebuild their reputation, it has, in the years since, come to be regarded as a later period classic. With the title track, keys-heavy earworm 'Devil and Daughter', and 'When Death Calls' featuring an unmistakable solo from Iommi's BFF, Brian May. It's undoubtedly the most well-known of the bunch, as evidenced by the huge poster of its album artwork that comes with this set.
Wishing to step away from doom metal cliches, the Norse mythology-themed 'Tyr' followed a year later, and with Cozy Powell on board, some much needed credibility was restored. Unfortunately though, it was a commercial failure, thanks in part to a ludicrous decision to release melodic ballad 'Feels Good to Me' as it's lead single. A flop it may have been, but it was another stellar release, with Powell's heavy-hitting adding extra oomph, and Martin shining on the likes of opener 'Anno Mundi' - which features a beast of a riff from Iommi - and the aforementioned 'Feels Good to Me'.
With Geezer Butler remaining following the 'Dehumanizer' reunion, 'Cross Purposes' [1994] featured two original members of the band, yet was sadly overshadowed by its predecessor. Driving opener 'I Witness' features that unmistakable Butler rumble, while an uncredited Eddie Van Halen co-wrote 'Evil Eye'.
All of the above have been newly remastered and sound amazing, however it's the final album in the set, 1995's 'Forbidden' that has been given a complete remix, and given its original tinny production by Body Count's Ernie C, is the greatest revelation. With more bottom end and clarity, the likes of 'Get a Grip', the title track, and 'Rusty Angels' are now more than worthy to stand alongside the other highlights in this set.
As with the other super deluxe sets in this series, 'Anno Domini 1989 - 1995' is beautifully presented, with a sturdy box with unique artwork housing the four vinyl LPs. The set is completed by a softcover book of extensive liner notes, lyrics and an exhaustive essay, as well as a poster and a reproduction 'Headless Cross' tour programme.
An era that's been all too often often written off, it's great to see it finally getting an official acknowledgement. A fantastic reminder that no matter the personnel, Tony Iommi never lost his crown as the ultimate riff lord.