Black Sabbath: Tony Martin Era Box Set ''Anno Domini 1989-1995"

[Powerage5]

Great video. So amazing to see Tony and Tony together again, even if only for an interview. 

[ZoSoRose]

They should tour! Call the band Headless Cross and tour theaters. I’d go

[Cosmo]

On 4/12/2024 at 3:55 AM, ZoSoRose said:

They should tour! Call the band Headless Cross and tour theaters. I’d go

That would be pretty cool. Not a HUGE Tony Martin Sabbath fan, but I'd go for sure.

[tboneman]

 

Tony & Tony talking about TYR. 

[jimisbatman]

On 4/1/2024 at 6:42 PM, tboneman said:

https://blabbermouth.net/news/tony-iommi-says-original-tapes-for-black-sabbaths-born-again-album-have-been-found-im-thinking-of-remixing-it/

Well good news is that Born Again remix is on its way too. It's just a matter of when. Hopefully after this set. 

Been waiting for Born Again remix for a long time. Definitely my fav BS period. 

[Jwalker19]

Before the teaser of these two songs coming out, my #1 Black Sabbath song was Anno Mundi. I liked Headless Cross, but it was nowhere near Anno Mundi for me. The wild thing is, I've now listed to Headless Cross way more than Anno Mundi and am digging that one way more right now. Wasn't expecting that.

[tboneman]

Tonys talking about Cross Purposes era. Geezer rejoining the band and Eddie Van Halen visiting the studio. 

 

 

[tboneman]

 

And finally about Forbidden and it's new remix. 

[tboneman]

Get A Grip from the new Forbidden remix. 

 

 

[Towelie]

Anyone care to share their thoughts on the Forbidden Remix? I've always been one of the albums biggest defenders as it was, but I think they've done a grand job. Some of the changes are subtle but really make a huge difference. Love the little vocal effects on Can't Get Close Enough for example, it's only on a few words, but it's brilliantly done.

[Cosmo]

Does anyone know why The Eternal Idol isn't on the boxset? I hadn't noticed...

[tboneman]

2 hours ago, Cosmo said:

Does anyone know why The Eternal Idol isn't on the boxset? I hadn't noticed...

 

 

Different label. The Eternal Idol was a Warner Bros. release and these are I.R.S releases. 

Cross Purposes Live and other stuff release may get released later on a companion box set. 

Martin also said unreleased songs may never come out since Sabbath can only release "new" stuff if it involves original band. Or maybe Ozzy really since they did release that 13 album without Bill. 

5 hours ago, Towelie said:

Anyone care to share their thoughts on the Forbidden Remix? I've always been one of the albums biggest defenders as it was, but I think they've done a grand job. Some of the changes are subtle but really make a huge difference. Love the little vocal effects on Can't Get Close Enough for example, it's only on a few words, but it's brilliantly done.

I think it sounds great! Finally it sounds like a Sabbath album. 

[Powerage5]

I gave Forbidden a full listen today - I actually can't believe the difference. I know this is a cliche for remixes, but it's literally like hearing the album for the first time. The guitar tones are so full and cutting, the drums are crisp, the low end is well rounded. It does not sound like an album recorded 30 years ago. I'm really looking forward to getting to know this album again/better. 

Only listened to a couple tracks off of the others so far. It sounds like Headless Cross has benefitted the least from the remaster, but I've always been a fan of the sound despite the fact that it sounds relatively dated. Try is sounding a lot better - always found the sound a bit thin on that one. As for Cross Purposes...I've never especially been a fan of this one, I haven't really had a chance to compare it to the original yet. 

[Towelie]

14 hours ago, Powerage5 said:

I gave Forbidden a full listen today - I actually can't believe the difference. I know this is a cliche for remixes, but it's literally like hearing the album for the first time. The guitar tones are so full and cutting, the drums are crisp, the low end is well rounded. It does not sound like an album recorded 30 years ago. I'm really looking forward to getting to know this album again/better. 

Only listened to a couple tracks off of the others so far. It sounds like Headless Cross has benefitted the least from the remaster, but I've always been a fan of the sound despite the fact that it sounds relatively dated. Try is sounding a lot better - always found the sound a bit thin on that one. As for Cross Purposes...I've never especially been a fan of this one, I haven't really had a chance to compare it to the original yet. 

Yeah, Cross Purposes has about 4 good songs. Evil Eye, The Hand That Rocked The Cradle, Virtual Death and Cross of Thorns. Song for song, Forbidden is a much stronger album and I never understood why it always got seen as the black sheep of Sabbath albums.

[tboneman]

Here's a comparison video. 1995 original vs new 2024 remix. 

 

 

[Cosmo]

As much as the mix improved the listening experience, this record just doesn't really appeal to me. The songs just aren't there, IMO.  The mix was bad, yes, but IMO, the songwriting was far worse. It's like they were scraping the bottom of the barrel and releasing whatever they had. Don't wanna sound too harsh but I feel it's like polishing a turd. Not a big fan of the Tony Martin era, but there are some really good highlights from that era. None are from this album, IMO. 

[Towelie]

16 hours ago, Cosmo said:

As much as the mix improved the listening experience, this record just doesn't really appeal to me. The songs just aren't there, IMO.  The mix was bad, yes, but IMO, the songwriting was far worse. It's like they were scraping the bottom of the barrel and releasing whatever they had. Don't wanna sound too harsh but I feel it's like polishing a turd. Not a big fan of the Tony Martin era, but there are some really good highlights from that era. None are from this album, IMO. 

Forbidden is my favourite Tony Martin era album. Shaking Off The Chains, Kiss of Death, Can't Get Close Enough, I Won't Die For You and Illusion of Power are some of my fave Sabbath tracks.

[Powerage5]

Forbidden certainly isn’t my least favorite, that would be Cross Purposes. Headless Cross is my favorite. Eternal Idol is tough to rank against the rest - it really doesn’t sound or feel like a Tony Martin album, since he came into the picture so late. But I would take Tyr and probably Eternal Idol ahead of Forbidden. 

[ZoSoRose]

I picked this up on Amazon this weekend for $70. There is a scratch on the box so I am exchanging it, but wow, what a great box set! I love this stuff. Rare, under- the- radar albums that are either difficult to find or previously unpressed? That makes for great box set content!

I have loved Black Sabbath since I started getting into music in 2005 or so but have not given the Tony Martin era a chance until this past year. It is all very new music to my ears. I started digging Headless Cross immensely, and am now diving into Tyr and Cross Purposes. So far, I enjoy those a lot too. Tony's Marshall tones rock! Deliciously 80s and early 90s, and a killer snapshot of that era. This is just awesome, classic heavy metal!

Box is great, and I appreciate the extras. I don't need metal coins and rings, but a tour book replica, poster, and nice booklet are quite excellent. That is what I like to see in a nice box set. The records sound excellent, and although Forbidden is my least favorite of the bunch, I cannot deny the mix sounds great. I only just got into the Martin era with a live record I bought, last year. It is a bootleg of a 1989 show, and they sound amazing. I wish this came with Cross Purposes Live or some other live content, but that is okay considering this set is designed to re- showcase these studio albums that have been lost to time. It is also kind of weak they did not include the bonus tracks in the vinyl set. It is more expensive than the CD set, so why not toss in a 7 or 10- inch record with the other songs? I don't know if they are even good or not, but it would have been nice for completion's sake. 

All that aside, this is a cool, unique set. Crazy they were able to get this out in 2024 considering Ozzy and his camp are back to being involved with the business side of Sabbath. 

Edited September 11 by ZoSoRose

[ZoSoRose]

Already got the replacement copy. Damn Amazon. No scratch!

Been listening to these records and I am even digging Forbidden. Awesome albums. 

This box makes me wish for a Chinese Democracy super deluxe. I know it won’t happen because Slash and Duff are now back, but if there is a market for this Sabbath box, there would certainly be a market for a CD box. 

Good on Iommi for putting this together for fans and at a very reasonable price point

[ZoSoRose]

On 6/3/2024 at 3:37 AM, Towelie said:

Anyone care to share their thoughts on the Forbidden Remix? I've always been one of the albums biggest defenders as it was, but I think they've done a grand job. Some of the changes are subtle but really make a huge difference. Love the little vocal effects on Can't Get Close Enough for example, it's only on a few words, but it's brilliantly done.

 

On 6/3/2024 at 8:26 PM, Powerage5 said:

I gave Forbidden a full listen today - I actually can't believe the difference. I know this is a cliche for remixes, but it's literally like hearing the album for the first time. The guitar tones are so full and cutting, the drums are crisp, the low end is well rounded. It does not sound like an album recorded 30 years ago. I'm really looking forward to getting to know this album again/better. 

Only listened to a couple tracks off of the others so far. It sounds like Headless Cross has benefitted the least from the remaster, but I've always been a fan of the sound despite the fact that it sounds relatively dated. Try is sounding a lot better - always found the sound a bit thin on that one. As for Cross Purposes...I've never especially been a fan of this one, I haven't really had a chance to compare it to the original yet. 

 

On 6/4/2024 at 11:22 AM, Towelie said:

Yeah, Cross Purposes has about 4 good songs. Evil Eye, The Hand That Rocked The Cradle, Virtual Death and Cross of Thorns. Song for song, Forbidden is a much stronger album and I never understood why it always got seen as the black sheep of Sabbath albums.

 

On 6/5/2024 at 1:13 PM, Cosmo said:

As much as the mix improved the listening experience, this record just doesn't really appeal to me. The songs just aren't there, IMO.  The mix was bad, yes, but IMO, the songwriting was far worse. It's like they were scraping the bottom of the barrel and releasing whatever they had. Don't wanna sound too harsh but I feel it's like polishing a turd. Not a big fan of the Tony Martin era, but there are some really good highlights from that era. None are from this album, IMO. 

 

On 6/6/2024 at 5:17 AM, Towelie said:

Forbidden is my favourite Tony Martin era album. Shaking Off The Chains, Kiss of Death, Can't Get Close Enough, I Won't Die For You and Illusion of Power are some of my fave Sabbath tracks.

Sorry this is a long rant, below. I am at work and don't feel like working. 

I know I am basically just talking to myself at this point, but this release is probably my favorite of the year (aside from the new Jack White record). Surprising, considering I had never even given Tony Martin the time of day just a mere year ago. 

Headless Cross and Tyr. These albums are absolutely stellar. Wow, what a shame they were completely lost to time. They are perfect metal snapshots to that era in time. Some of my favorite Iommi tones are found on these albums. Both have amazing solos. Headless Cross is a good mix of 80s metal with some doomy Sabbath riffs sprinkled in. Great songs. Tyr is also amazing. It is tough, but Tyr may be my favorite of these albums. Anno Mundi is one of my favorite Sabbath songs, now. In fact, both these albums have incredible openers. Iommi really excelled at the 80s NWOBHM/melodic speed metal thing. He deserves a lot of credit. I did not know he could play this fast. These albums sound like a completely different band compared to 70s Sabbath. It was a different band, but even Tony completely revamped his playing. 

I had never even heard of or really even thought of Cross Purposes prior to this box. I see some people don't really like it, but I am also a fan of this. It is a heavier, natural progression from HC and Tyr imo. Not much to say on this one, since it covers the same ground as HC and Tyr for me- killer guitar tones, some awesome riffs, fun metal songs. Cross of Thorns, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, and Dying for Love are my top tracks right now. Cool beans. 

Forbidden is my biggest surprise. For decades, I just heard about how awful the record was. I never even heard it ironically, I just shunned it (and sadly, the other Martin records). The new mix of Forbidden was the first experience I had with the album. Now that I have sat with it for a couple of weeks, I gotta say guys, I even think Forbidden fucking rocks. The guitars sound absolutely massive on the remix. The riffs have awesome metal crunch, and the solos... holy fuck they are thick, and they cut!

Side 2 in particular rocks. I think Kiss of Death is so fucking cool. When the chorus hits and it goes into that bridge riff... God damn. That alone tops any moment on 13, to be honest (I don't dislike 13 like many, either). I listened to some of the old version of the record, and I can see why it flopped. That production is a total botch job. Wish they kept a bit of the keyboards on the new one, but other than that, it is immensely superior. As I said, the guitar leads sound fucking HUGE.

It isn't a world- changing album or a defining masterpiece, but I find it very enjoyable and worth having in my collection as a unique record to have. The songs are more basic on the album than past BS records, but they are a lot of fun. I can see why it was panned with the old production and Illusion of Power as an opener. I actually think the Ice T part is pretty cool, Tony's verses are just a little odd, but overall, pretty rad album! Shit, I would take it over Never Say Die and put it with Technical Ecstasy (which I also think is underrated)

I love this box; I am so glad I purchased it. I talk about Tony's guitar tones and playing a lot up there, and I think he deserves a lot of credit. His playing really impressed me on these albums. However, this box is also a great introduction to Cozy Powell (rip) and Tony Martin. Holy fuck, do those guys rock on these albums. I love good drumming, and there are tons of parts that stick out to me. Too bad Cozy didn't get to hear the new Forbidden, because apparently, he did not like the sound of his drums on the original (understandable). Those fills during the Kiss of Death chorus' are so fucking good!

Martin is the star of the show. This is his era as a Sabbath singer. He is what I like in an 80s metal singer. Super melodic, soaring highs, good screams, and his lyrics fit right in with the thing they started going for when Dio joined. What a talent and unsung metal hero. I would absolutely love to see him live if he ever toured again. I would go nuts now for a Martin- Iommi reunion a- la Heaven and Hell. Call it Headless Cross or Cross Purposes and tour theaters. That would be so cool, but I am sure these guys are content to stay retired and with their reissue campaigns. That works, too, since I wouldn't have listened to these, otherwise. 

 

Top tracks from the box set (in order of release)-

1. The Gates of Hell/Headless Cross

2. Devil & Daughter

3. When Death Calls (Brian May!)

4. Black Moon

5. Anno Mundi

6. The Law Maker

7. The Sabbath Stones

8. The Battle of Tyr/Odin's Court/Valhalla (it all works as one big suite)

9. Feels Good to Me

10. Heaven in Black

11. Cross of Thorns

12. Dying for Love

13. The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

14. Shaking Off the Chains

15. Forbidden

16. Kiss of Death

Edited September 18 by ZoSoRose