Black Sabbath - The End . . . in 2000
Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 12:01AM Today's post is from our friend HIM.
Slow news day. But I figured I would restart a debate about music some of us care about.
The latest Sabbath tour, sans album feels like a sad gasp of the totality that Sabbath represents. Consider the impact the band has had on bands. Consider the clunkers and the hits. Consider the hidden pleasures (I still find the Martin voxed “Black Moon” a fine entry in their latter catalog).
Here’s the thing: Iommi can do no wrong with me, even if he did some serious disrepair to the brand over the years (Forbidden is nearly a mess and I won’t lay that at the feet of Ernie C. either). And I will celebrate his perseverance, and his stamina, in the face of illness and decline, alongside the talents of every member who ever graced the Sabbath stage. Glenn Hughes, we hardly knew you when you were outsizing yourself.
But here is the other thing: I really enjoyed 13, even if I heard Heaven and Hell leftovers and warmed-over sub-takes and remakes of what should have sounded like “true” Sabbath. And you all know me: I know that 13 was the best (better than we could have hoped for) out of this band, at this time, given all the element in place: a sick Iommi, a chugging Geezer, a complacent Ozzy, and a needed stand-in in Wilk. I won’t raise the Ward issue. Though if you want, we can Facetweet and Fingertext about it. I have opinions. So I just want to go back to the last time that I felt Iommi really wanted to make music. Over fifteen years ago. Iommi is suffused in nu metal stylings and odd attempts to capture the newest brass ring. But it rocks like Sabbath haven’t in some time.
Consider the Cult’s Astbury on “Flame On”
Or David Grohl (and Brian “frigging” May!!!) on “Hello Lament:”
Classic Sabbath? Nope. Chasing trends? A bit. But you can hear that crunchy Iommi riffing. And you can listen to pretenders to the throne as they bow before him—not Geezer, not Ozz, not Ward—and show their respect. That adds up to something a lot better than it should have been. And then you can listen to a patchwork of hits and misses from people like Henry Rollins and Phil Anselmo. So it is a dog’s dinner or a lord’s lunch; your choice. So let me bring it all home: I am so glad Iommi is living and breathing and rocking. I am also glad he is ready to retire. We likely won’t get much out of Ozzy and we might squeeze a bit out of G/Z/R/. Ward does his dance and he does it well. If anything, he is attuned to sounds that even Iommi is unaware of even if he can’t pound the skins to those beats in his head. Here’s the thing though: New or old, Iommi remains atop the hill. 2000 was ample proof of that.
Reader Comments (10)
I couldn't have been more touched by his gesture and just one more indication that in the scheme of things in life...we're doing the right by each other.
Though it's a tad inconsistent, the performances you've highlighted here, as well as one or two others on the album are a testament to the man's greatness.
Also, if you haven't already read it, I highly recommend "Iron Man", Iommi's fantastic autobiography penned in 2011 to all who may be reading this.
It's a story so incredible, it should be brought to the screen with Christian Bale cast as Iommi.
marilyn monroe
I think Bill Ward in general is a fascinating musician. His radio show, Rock 50, is so diverse, and so inclusive of so many different strains of music. And I am one of those fools--don't really care--who bought a piece of his SceneFour art. I bought it less for the aesthetic value and more to simply support him as an artist.
I truly do believe he is past his prime. But so what? A lot of musicians are (including a couple in Sabbath currently). And that isn't a slam. I also believe the truth of his break with Sabbath cuts somewhere down the middle, even if it tips if but slightly towards Ward's version of the truth. Some of the stuff that the band said in defense of their position was cruel (up there with what Great White said when they distanced themselves from Russell). In response, all Ward has said (and said, and said to the point of "enough already") is that he wanted a "signable contract" and an apology. I find the reactions on both sides telling.
I don't begrudge the band giving it one last go. And I admire Iommi's candor and willingness to hang it up in light of his struggles. I just take comfort in the fact that I got to see the whole band at Ozzfest back in the day. And that is the band I truly care about, even as I noted that I respect the musicians who kept--and keep--Sabbath going up to and including this last run.
Sorry for the long reply Bob. But I think _Accountable Beasts_ should get a bit more press, esp. in light of the status quo. I guess I am what bkallday would call a fanboy!