Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jun 11, 2013 19:07:17 GMT
I expected to hear the newer sound of Black Sabbath which has been polished and honed into this smooth sounding Heavy metal group.
I got a surprise. The opening number was SO reminiscent of that first album that they made, I started to listen closely. If you were around, you'd remember the pouring rain sound with church bells, followed by a very slow riff.
Then that distinctive sound of Ozzy's voice, finishing with 'Oh No .......' and the band stomp on with the heavy riff before chugging into something faster.
I really liked that album in that it had this rawness and that 'chug' feel along with the curious sounding, nasal type voice of the Ozman. I am very fond of Ozzy because inside the drug festooned shell is a very nice guy.
So, 'End of the Beginning' starts with a ..... slow riff. Loud at first; bass and guitars in unison and fifths and then it calms down with the drums skipping about. The first album did this kind of thing.
Then the voice ........ OZZY. Overdubbed and lazy sounding, like the old Ozzy. I was literally waiting for his scream of 'Oh No!!!'.......
There's even a faster sequence later on as well. It kind of follows the format of that first song in their first album. It's crude sounding, plenty of grunt with that voice.
That modern, 'shiny' sound of Black Sabbath has gone and they sound like the original band in some ways.
It's a more lumbering album but it's just so typical of 70's heavy metal. Nothing complex, just a raw, heavy sound with Ozzy's wailing on the top.
I really enjoyed it a lot. It's back to their original sound; nothing fancy, just pure, lumbering rock music with riffs a plenty.
It took me back 40 years instantly. I love the slow song, 'Zeitgeist'. Strong Ozzy influence and I must admit, I do like his solo albums quite a lot too. (Zeitgeist means "Spirit of the Time or Age" and they really have captured 'Zeitgeist' in this album.
I'm buying this one.
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Javier
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Post by Javier on Jun 11, 2013 19:28:15 GMT
You really are full of surprises... First D.P., now Sabbath??? what next? Lemmy?
I love Black Sabbath, Paranoid, Vol. 4, Master of Reality, etc. if they are back to the origins then it'll sure be worth a listen, just hope they haven't compressed the life out of it.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jun 11, 2013 19:37:57 GMT
Javier, it's really well put together musically. They don't try to impress. The album has real shape in the way it all hangs together. I'm ferkin' deaf. I've played it all day on big MF speakers so the guts at the bottom hit like a gut wrenching hammer. It is compressed. I can hear it, but the music is ........ Black Sabbath the return. For me, it's the old band with Ozzy wailing away and in good form too. It's well paced and as a result hits harder. The modern sound of Black Sabbath kind of didn't work for me. It started to sound just too ..... American. (sorry) This is a return to bumbling, grunting, lumbering, pure British Rock of old. (Yes I know, I'm an electronic person - but this actually woke me up!!) Nothing complex. Buzzing guitars, big riffs, guitar solos (Not quite as good as original - not sure who the guitar player is, wailing, doom, parallel 5ths, the devil's interval. Pure and honest.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jun 11, 2013 19:43:49 GMT
BTW, the devil's interval is what is called the 'augmented fourth'. Two notes that are 4 and a bit notes away from each other. (say C - F#) It has been used for centuries in music to denote anything to do with the devil or demonic things. It was used in the musical, 'West Side Story' because of the evil behind the plot. (gang warfare) Many songs in that musical are based around that interval. For instance, 'Maria' has the interval on the first two notes and then it resolves up to a fifth on the word, 'Maria'. Black Sabbath used it in their first album, first song, but ..... backwards!! I know Black Sabbath and Deep Purple of old and after their original albums, I kind of switched off to the whole genre because they tried too hard (imo) to be too clever in some ways!! I preferred their original 'uneducated' rawness with that hefty touch of blues smidged in. I also liked 'Humble Pie' a lot, early Yes and of course, the first Led Zep album is stunning!! I prefer Sabbath to DP. I can say that now Jon isn't around!!!! BTW - The thunder, rain and church bell appears in this album too. I got a positive shiver!!!! Coming from Proacs D40's ...... wow. www.blacksabbath.com/
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Javier
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Post by Javier on Jun 11, 2013 20:01:32 GMT
Sweet J.!!! just found this:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Analyzed: Black Sabbath / 13 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR Peak RMS Duration Track -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR5 0.00 dB -6.36 dB 8:06 01-End Of The Beginning DR5 0.00 dB -6.06 dB 8:52 02-God Is Dead? DR5 0.00 dB -5.77 dB 5:00 03-Loner DR9 -0.09 dB -11.33 dB 4:38 04-Zeitgeist DR5 0.00 dB -5.51 dB 7:01 05-Age Of Reason DR5 0.00 dB -5.69 dB 4:47 06-Live Forever DR5 0.00 dB -6.26 dB 7:52 07-Damaged Soul DR5 0.00 dB -6.10 dB 7:20 08-Dear Father --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of tracks: 8 Official DR value: DR5
Samplerate: 44100 Hz Channels: 2 Bits per sample: 16 Bitrate: 995 kbps Codec: FLAC ================================================================================
Don't know why but I was expecting it...
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jun 11, 2013 20:19:35 GMT
Yes, it's fat.
The worst sounding by ear is the last. 'Pariah.' It's edging into distortion on the copy I have. Levels are a bit high.
Interesting that Zeitgeist has the very quiet sections and the DR is a lot wider on that track as well. That's a lovely track.
I have been listening to the deluxe version which has more tracks. Anyway, Javier, if you worry about the compression, you'll miss out.
It's a good album. Seriously. I'd get it if it was on cassette tape.
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Javier
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Post by Javier on Jun 11, 2013 20:25:49 GMT
Funny you should mention it, listening to Zeitgeist, reminds me somewhat of the intro of Planet Caravan. Very, very likeable indeed. Musically I'd agree with you IT IS true Sabbath but from the audio POV the heavier ones are a bit flat (and maybe some times a bit too polished), ie too loud all the time. Was listening to an 80s edition of Too Old To Rock'N'Roll: Too Young To Die! and album DR was 15!!! what a difference.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jun 12, 2013 17:12:47 GMT
Well, the thing is Chong, I listen to anything that is passed my way. I'm really not a musical snob and can see past styles/cults/culture etc with ease. I even listen occasionally to a bit of Eminem cussing and swearing his head off. His lyrics sometimes make me laugh and also, his albums are a wonderful example of compression used extremely poorly. Mama, I didn't wanna hurt you, I didn't wanna make you cry, But I'm cleaning out my closet!!!!!!! Personally, with a mouth like his, I think it was a good idea for him to go.
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Post by jhelms on Jun 12, 2013 20:06:01 GMT
Now this is what I am talking about Good stuff!
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jun 12, 2013 20:30:37 GMT
I really latched on to this album. I've been listening again today and I do like the way that it's been put together as a collection. collection. Nicely thought out.
In fact, it got me revisiting the first album and Paranoid. They have really returned to their roots but I think they play better now as well.
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