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Black Sabbath Past Lives Release Date: 2002 08 20 Label: Sanctuary Originally released in 1980 under the name Live at Last, this infamous live disc has never been heard in its entirety until its 2002 reissue. Where the original album suffered from flat sound and an abrupt ending, this has been remastered and remixed to give it the spacy vibe and airy sound it needs. Recorded at several different points in their career, this live disc is a psychedelic journey into the primal sludge of early heavy metal, warts and all. Wrong notes, tempo mistakes, meandering jams, and a stoned Ozzy Osbourne (he proudly admits this fact) may seem like detriments, but when paired with music this ugly it gives it an endearing urgency that keeps the album interesting. Black Sabbath plows through these songs like a tank, offering up a wall of grunge that has more in common with the Stooges than the technical hard rock being offered up by the band's contemporaries at the time. Tony Iommi is the star here, delivering blistering guitar work that is drenched in fuzz and sharp as a sword. Osbourne's performance is also quite respectable, channeling a venomous stream of angst and rage that seems uncharacteristic when compared to his solo career. But his attitude is a key element, pushing him to steer his voice way out of his given range out of sheer passion during several key moments. A terrible rendition of "Megalomania" (hindered by Ozzy's inability to stay in tune) is a jarring low point in an otherwise strong set, but overall this is an inspired performance that shows what an original and smart group Sabbath was at the time. Constantly growing and shaping itself through the first half of the '70s, this may be one of the last documents of Sabbath at its peak before the group began its downward spiral. Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Tomorrow's Dream Ward, Osbourne, Iommi, Butler 3:04 2 Sweet Leaf Ward, Osbourne, Butler, Iommi 5:26 3 Killing Yourself to Live Black Sabbath 5:29 4 Cornucopia Osbourne, Iommi, Ward, Butler 3:57 5 Snowblind Osbourne, Butler, Iommi, Ward 4:47 6 Children of the Grave Butler, Ward, Iommi, Osbourne 4:33 7 War Pigs Iommi, Ward, Butler, Osbourne 7:36 8 Wicked World Ward, Iommi, Butler, Osbourne 18:55 9 Paranoid Osbourne, Ward, Iommi, Butler 3:14 10 Hand of Doom Iommi, Butler, Osbourne, Ward 8:26 11 Hole in the Sky Ward, Butler, Osbourne, Iommi 4:46 12 Symptom of the Universe Osbourne, Butler, Iommi, Ward 4:52 13 Megalomania Butler, Iommi, Osbourne, Ward 9:53 14 Iron Man Osbourne, Butler, Iommi, Ward 6:25 15 Black Sabbath Ward, Iommi, Butler, Osbourne 8:23 16 N.I.B. Ward, Iommi, Butler, Osbourne 5:32 17 Behind the Wall of Sleep Iommi, Osbourne, Butler, Ward 5:03 18 Fairies Wear Boots Osbourne, Ward, Butler, Iommi 6:39 Releases: Year Type Label 2002 CD Sanctuary 2002 CD Sanctuary 2002 CD Sanctuary 2006 LP Earmark 2002 CD Sanctuary

Group Members: Don Airey Laurence Cottle Terry Chimes Bob Rondinelli Glenn Hughes More >> Similar Artists: Iron Maiden Diamond Head Led Zeppelin Ozzy Osbourne Dio More >>

Influenced By: The Yardbirds Jimi Hendrix Cream The Who Blue Cheer More >> Followers: Saint Vitus Metallica The Mushroom River Band Therapy? Alice in Chains More >>

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