Disco de Black Sabbath: “Reunion”

This is the kind of release I wish I would avoid (and save $25!), but that I always buy. Who can resist? A great band reunited! Undoubtedly one of the best live shows in recent memory and in person these performances are exhilirating.

The problem is that what is great at a concert isn't great on record. In a live setting, singing along to "War Pigs" is incredible. On record, however, listening to Ozzy and the crowd's call and response makes you wish he'd sing it all himself. And the gratuitous vulgarity seems juvenile on record when you're too hyped at a live show to notice.

The songs are great. A solid performance of great Sabbath tracks - and a nice selection, too - not the standard "greatest hits." You can tell that this is a tight band, best in their original incarnation. Almost too tight. The songs rarely vary from their studio versions (save for "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" in which Ozzy avoids the high vocal section he probably can't hit anymore). The rhythm section is thunderous and it's good to have Bill Ward back.

All of this said, why do we need this album? Sure, it's a great souvenier of a great reunion, but if you want to hear these Sabbath tracks the original albums are better. Sure, there are two new tracks, but they're sub-par for this group.

Overall, it's a nice record and nicely packaged, but a little too predictable. Honestly, I prefer Ozzy's live solo albums over this release, even though I prefer Sabbath's studio work.

It's fun for a few listens, but it will gather dust eventually. I'd rather hear the original albums without "show me your f***ing hands!" shouted out every five minutes.

Let's start by saying that this is a far better set in terms of performance, recording, and mixing quality than the Black Sabbath: Live At Last disc that had been released some years ago. Geezer's bass is upfront like it should be (it is he that inspired me to pick up the bass at age 12), Iommi scuttles up and down the fretboard with his usual incisive elegance, and Bill Ward's drums thunder like the drums of Moria. Ozzy cannot sing at all anymore, and indulges in purposeless profanity, but that is the way he has always done things. I have personally seen Black Sabbath ten times, and this disc is representative of the power of those shows. The inclusion of two recent and somewhat less-good tunes is only an excuse to buy the thing. If you're not a Sabbath fan, this may not be for you. If you ARE, then it is a must-have, at least for the excellent renditions of "Into The Void" and "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath". The bulk of the disc is drawn from the Sabs' heyday (1970-76), bearing one tune from the "Technical Ecstacy" album, and while that tune could easily have been replaced by a better one from "Sabotage", at least there is nothing included from the embarrassing release "Never Say Die". And even Ozzy at his worst is better than Dio or Ian Gillan, who are far superior singers, but Ozzy's voice is part of the Sabbath sound, and cannot be removed from the mix without deleterious results. Majestic, powerful, and at last well-recorded. I give it two Ozzy peace signs and a purple-fringed yellow shirt for the effort;-)

Many swore that it would never happen. The moral is NEVER say 'never', I guess. 'Reunion', the 2-CD live release of Black Sabbath was recorded at the NEC Arena in Birmingham, UK on December 12,1997. Proving that even though the band had called it a day in late 1978, 'Reunion' sounds like the four guys had never really been apart. Remember: it's the four founding members of Ozzy, Iommi, Ward and Butler. I remember seeing the band once out on an Ozzfest tour and the guy in front of me KEPT repeating, "All four original members of Black Sabbath playing together - LIVE.....a chance of a lifetime!!". Yes, I can certainly understand as to what he was all stoked about. As for the track listing, one honestly couldn't ask for more. Always nice to hear the goodies such as "War Pigs", "Fairies Wear Boots" one of the true highlights of 'Reunion', "Into The Void", "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", the list goes on. A great live sound mix. A must-have for all Sabbath fans.

Reunion(1998). Black Sabbath's Third Live Album.

On December 4th, 1997, 4 of the most renound Metal Gods came together for one final Black Sabbath performance: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. Thinking they could make a quick buck, the original four members and thousands of fans amassed in Birmingham's NEC Arena, for just one last chance to see Heavy Metal's creator one last time. Although they had met for a Live Aid concert in 1985 and a 4-song appearance at Ozzy's 1992 "Farewell" concert, the "Reunion" concert was their first full-length concert in 13 years, and was most likely the last time they would be seen together. Previous live releases, such as Live At Last(Bad Sound Production) and Live Evil(Dio singing Ozzy songs!) had their faults, but Reunion fully captures Sabbath in their prime, still able to play at blistering speeds after 20 years, with Ozzy's vocals still echoing sarcasm, Iommi's riffs and solos reaching technical ecstacy, Ward's drumming spot-on, and Butler's bass still resounding doom, Black Sabbath is spot-on, and the sound production couldn't be better!

Track Listing-

Band Performance-

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Overall, Reunion stands as a Live triumph, and is a great addition to any Black Sabbath fan. All the songs on here are different than their album counterparts, many of them being longer and showcasing Iommi's skill more in-depthly than the albums, so this is a must for Sabbath fans, even if you don't like Live material!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! ONE OF THE BEST LIVE ALBUMS I'VE HEARD, AND CERTAINLY BLACK SABBATH'S BEST!R.I.P. BLACK SABBATH/OZZY'S CAREER!

Also Recommended-

Tribute- Ozzy Osbourne

Thanks For Reading!

I'm a 41 year-old family man (with the wife and kids in a minivan) Sabbath's Reunion CD instantly takes me back as a twelve year old in 1970. I have waited long and hard for this, Ozzy's solo career was "average" for me, Sabbath sans Ozzy was also "average". Each needs the other, FINALLY! I love the crowd noise, it reminds me of a close Browns vs Steelers game late in the 4th quarter in Cleveland. Loud, passion, intensity. "Orchid/Lord of this World", "Into the Void" simply wails, Tony Ioammi's guitar is brillant. "Electric Funeral" off of 'Reunion' will stick in your head for days, you've been warned! My only gripe is Ozzy's constant use of the F word, c'mon Ozz, it's a little tired after the 20th plus time. All considered, this Sabbath fan loves "Reunion", the perfect companion CD when NOT driving with the wife and kids! Black Sabbath: The original is STILL the best!