Disco de Black Sabbath: “Sabbath Stones”

The Sabbath Stones is an awesome collection of Sabbath songs with singer Tony Martin, though TV Crimes is sung by Ronnie James Dio. I've always have enjoyed Martin's expressive singing style. The music is heavy as you would expect from Sabbath yet the Martin era does come across in a different way. The CD is very long. Just a bit over 80 minutes. "Loser Gets It All" is an outtake found only on the Japanese version of "Forbidden". My only complaint is the four songs from "Tyr" ("The Sabbath Stones", "The Battle Of Tyr", Odin's Court", and "Valhalla") could easily have been edited as one long piece. Instead when listening to them on random play they sound rather strangely edited. However, on the CD "Tyr" the same thing can be said. I highly recommend this Black Sabbath collection. I listen to mine quite often.

The under-appreciated Martin years have yet to be well served by a truly great compilation of his best work. There are excellent Ozzy and Dio compilations. And Gillan and Hughes only did one great album each under the Sabbath banner. There are several great Martin tunes that are better than most of what is on this cd. His best work on the IRS label has to include Kill in the Spirit World; Black Moon; Jerusalem; Feels Good to Me; The Hand That Rocks the Cradle; Psychophobia; and Rusty Angels. Great riffs and great vocals that demand to be heard.

This compilation album is a very entertaining journey through Sabbaths' post Ozzzy/Dio years. The Ozzy albums were great, but really Tony Martin was a much more subtle and sophisticated singer that Ozzy or even Dio. Tracks like 'The Shining' and 'Devil and Daughter' boast strong heavy rock grooves with good melodic songwriting, soaring vocals and entertaining, mystical lyrical subjects. Alot of Sabbath fans won't even look at this post- Ozzy stuff, but that is just pig-headed ignorance- this is good rock music. There are also tracks from the Ian Gillan/ Glen Hughes eras and the second Dio reunion which are good as well, but for me the real gold is the Tony Martin stuff- he is just an exceptional vocalist. If you can look beyond all the controversy of 'is it true Sabbath or not' and just hear the music, you will find a lot to enjoy from these years.

Sixteen track compilation of the Black Sabbath / Tony Martin era (1986-95). Okay, they had their time, so move on. Tunes that I will likely always appreciate include "headless Cross", the awesome "Valhalla" and the rocking "Kiss Of Death". Keep in mind that 'The Sabbath Stones' were released 'strictly' to complete Tony Iommi's record contract. As for myself, I'm sort of 'relieved' that Sabbath had surpassed their time period with Martin. Pretty much for the completists / die-hards.