Black Sabbath are arguably the most influential heavy metal band of all time. The band helped to create the genre with ground breaking releases such as Paranoid, an album that Rolling Stone magazine said "changed music forever", and called the band "the Beatles of heavy metal". Time Magazine called Paranoid "the birthplace of heavy metal". The band, who have been performing for over 45 years, have to date sold over 75 million records which includes over 24 platinum albums in the UK alone and over 15 million records in the United States. Black Sabbath were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Black Sabbath were formed in Birmingham in 1968 by Ozzy Osbourne (lead vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass), and Bill Ward (drums and percussion). Originally formed as a heavy blues-rock band named Earth, the band began incorporating occult and horror-inspired lyrics with tuned-down guitars, changing their name to Black Sabbath and releasing multiple gold and platinum records in the 1970s. Released 28th October 2016, The Ultimate Collection is curated in conjunction with the band, the 31-track collection features the band’s classic songs including Paranoid, Iron Man, War Pigs, N.I.B. and The Wizard as well as choice cuts from their classic albums and is the definitive accompaniment for all Sabbath fans as well as those with a love of hard rock. Remastered by renowned engineer Andy Pearce (Motörhead, Deep Purple, Lou Reed, Iggy & The Stooges), the Ultimate Collection is available in multiple formats. Alongside the 2-CD and digital/HD formats, a limited edition “Crucifold” edition will follow on 18th November, a heavyweight 4 LP vinyl version produced in the shape of the cross.
D**L
A reasonable selection of tracks
There is no "Ultimate Collection Set" but this is good value for money.
M**D
Go on; you know you want to....
Bought this as an excuse to listen to them again and wasn't disappointed. I was also seduced by that wonderful ball of fire on the cover ! This is rock music's Rite of Spring and about as good a collection of their classic stuff as you need; although the other 'Best Of' 2CD package released some years ago is marginally better in my view and covers almost the same material. There are only a couple of weak tracks on this Ultimate Collection but the rest is marvellous.I've always had a soft spot for the first album with its mood and atmosphere and a crucial sense of space and silence that was key to its sound-scape and feel of an elemental pre-Christian world of the imagination. The original side two of the debut album was wonderful stuff with Ozzy's muscular vocal on Sleeping Village taking the listener to this pagan Britain, before the extended workout of Warning. In other hands this would just have been another blues-jam but the band develop it into something much more moody and dynamic, constantly shifting and rewarding. It's a shame that it's too long for inclusion here.Their second album Paranoid was where the sound and writing came together to produce their keystone work. A sense of space was retained, the material was very strong and the playing was beautifully tight. The jazz flavoured Planet Caravan provided the essential contrast to Tony Iommi's crushing riffs and Bill Ward's artillery barrage. It's an inclusion that I miss on this 2016 compilation. My original gatefold sleeve album would've probably been worth a few bob if I still had it ! I always thought its follow-up Master of Reality was much less interesting with its turgid down-tuned drone and relentless power chords that beat this listener into submission. Most fans loved it but I never got it at the time. I still don't. Volume 4 was a curate's egg, before the inspired achievement of Sabbath Bloody Sabbath where they really stretched out lyrically and musically. It's a shame about the mix on that album as I don't think they ever reached as high again. It just lacked the punch and attack of the first two albums.So, another great Sabbath compilation and worth it for the cover alone ! Shame that there are no decent sleeve notes though.
A**R
Great delivery, condition and quality.
Great album, good way of catching up for people like me who are exploring early Metal and the Father's of Metal.
K**L
Great for 'Catch-up'
Brill compilation. Have all their albums. Saves pulling lot out if just looking to remenisce past 'hits' or favourites.Great price n mix.Recommend to anyone .Karl O'Neill.
D**Y
Great compilation
Great compilation of Black Sabbath's work.
M**F
Great collection
My partner is recapturing his youth. Loves this collection. Nuff said!!
P**Y
Three Albums Missing !
I am very surprised that there is nothing from "Heaven & Hell", "Mob Rules" and "Dehumanizer" all with the late great Ronnie James Dio on vocals. Lots of fans rate "Heaven & Hell" as one of Black Sabbath's finest albums. So I don't really rate this as the very best of Sabbath. It can also be argued that RJD was a far better vocalist than Ozzy.
N**.
Good value
Excellent for any Sabbath fans who have to transfer music onto a stick for playing music in the car now that CD players seemed to have become a thing of the past! Only one slight gripe, it should have had Wheels of Confusion on it.
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