Sabotage Review

Released: Aug 1975
Genre: Rock
Styles: Album Rock, Heavy Metal, British Metal
Number Of Tracks: 9
Sabotage attempted to continue the evolution begun with 1973's Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, but somewhat lacked its focus.

Sound:	8.8
Lyrics:	9.3
Impression:	8.5
Overall rating:	8.9
Users rating:	9.4
Comments:	3

overall: 10

Featured review by: Drewfedorka, on march 04, 2006

Sound: Well, I couldn't begin to tell you how many times I've heard a person say that Black Sabbath's last good record was Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. Well I gotta tell you that Sabotage is probably my second favorite Sabbath record (behind Masters Of Reality which is just unbeatable). First of all Tony Iommi's riffs are as good as ever. They are just as heavy if not heavier than some of his previous work. "Hole In The Sky" is one of Sabbath's strongest songs with one of Tony's catchiest riffs. "Symptom Of The Universe" is completely amazing and in a league of its own. The riff is one of the heaviest riffs I've ever heard and considering that the song is over 30 years old, for it to still sound heavy compared to todays music. Tony must have been doing something right. Then theres the solo of "Symptom" which is without a doubt Tony's best solo work, it's so fast sounding compared to his older more bluesy and "sludgy" sounding solos. "Megalomania" follows "Symptom" and is truely an epic. It is just astounding how that song unfolds as it goes along, gets my attention every time I hear it. Then a few songs later comes "Superstar" which is definelty something else. It's pretty much instrumental except for a choir like chant in the background. Its a really cool song. The there is "Am I Going Insane" which doesn't have any trademark Tony riffs and is alittle to pop for my taste but it still is a really catchy song. The last song of the album is "The Writ" which is also an epic, it's really a great album ender and unfolds as it goes along similar to "Megalomania." I don't know why so many people dislike this album, it has some amazing songs, and finds Sabbath trying new things. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Its Ozzy Osbourne, how can you not like it? The most recognizable voice in rock and roll history. His singing is definelty stronger than some of their earlier albums, you can definelty hear him really giving it his all. On "Symptom Of The Universe" Ozzy singing is so strong that you actually believe every word he says. Naturally Geezer's lyrics are as good as ever, and include some really thought provking topics. I still wonder to this day how he comes up with some of the stuff that he does. // 10

Impression: Like I said before this is one of Sabbath's best albums. They are anything but past their prime on this record and they show new colors that nobody knew they had. Of course there are a few short instrumentals like on many of the Sabbath records which is really an interesting change from the heavy stuff. I can't say I hate anything on the album, "Am I Going Insane" is probably the weakest song on the album just because they tried to make a song that would be popluar to the mainstream public, in that song there is no cool riffs and no specific solo. They tried too hard to get a song on the radio. The only other thing that misses the mark slightly is the album cover, its just so weird looking. Other than that though it is a great cd. If this cd was stolen I would go out and buy a new one first chance I got. // 10

overall: 6

Reviewed by: smb, on march 09, 2005

Sound: The album opens with one of Sabbath's heaviest tracks - Hole In The Sky. This one will stick in the heads of anyone accustomed to metal. It ends abruptly, but listening to the ends of songs on Paranoid it's evident that genius he may be, Iommi can't come up with a good song ending. Next is the accoustic interlude Don't Start (Too Late) which is short and sweet, leading into Symptom of the Universe, in my opinion Sabbath's best song. From there on, however, the album can't recover its earlier pace. Megalomania and Thrill of it All make no impact, and Am I Going Insane is simply terrible. It suffers from too many effects, synth overkill and just plain irritating. The Writ is not bad, but is far removed from anything from the first few records. So, 5/5 for the forst three tracks, 2/5 for the next few, 1/5 for Insane and 3/5 for the last song. // 6

Lyrics and Singing: It's Ozzy. I'd rather hear less efects on his voice, but it's typical Ozzy vocals. He hasn't got the most variation, or the best range but that somehow doesn't stop Hole in the Sky sounding simply amazing. You already know if you'll like or hate the vocals. Geezer Butler wrote most of the lyrics. It isn't exactly Homer, but they're grat to sing along to, memorable and suit the mood of the music. // 8

Impression: This record simply does not compare to Sabbath at their best. Hole in the Sky and Symptom of the Universe rule, so download them or get a copy of the Best Of. Buy any of their earlier albums instead of this one, (or better still some Kyuss) because they are in a different league. There's no classic singles like Paranoid, no epic jams like Warning and no chill-out tracks like Planet Caravan. // 4

overall: 10

Reviewed by: Xinlitik, on february 19, 2005

Sound: Sabotage is quite possibly the best Sabbath album produced. It contains Iommi's trademark heavy sound, but introduces a lot more fast playing than in some of the previous albums. It really shows the band's progression into its true calling. If you actually pay attention to the songs, you'll find that each one tells a very intricate and interesting story. For instance, The Writ is about the band's managers who completely ripped them off. I'll leave the rest for you to figure out. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: I can sum up the singing in two words: Ozzy Osbourne. Of course, this wouldn't be much of a review if I did. Anyway, Geezer did a beautiful job with the lyrics, as usual. The song Thr Thrill of It All still gives me a rush every time I listen to it. Lyrical genius, I say. I can't see any possible way for the lyrics to fit the music any more. Simply perfection. // 10

Impression: Keep in mind that this is Black Sabbath that we're dealing with the single greatest metal band of all time. This is, in my opinion, their crowning achievement. A simply amazing list of songs. There is even some strange (but still quite interesting) music on the album, namely the song Supertzar, an instrumental. I've heard that this was Iommi experimenting with his style. The album ranges from the sweetly heavy Symptoms of the Universe, which completely turns around with a jazzy ending, to the epic Megalomania and the strange (that's the best word) Am I Going Insane. I highly suggest purchasing this album if you have not already. The magic of Black Sabbath will flow out of your speakers! // 10

overall: 9.3

Reviewed by: unregistered, on march 02, 2006

Sound: By the mid '70s we all know that Black Sabbath was only a shell of their selves, at least in comparison to the original three albums, but this does not mean that Sabbath did not kick ass. They may sound distant a really, really depressed (at least more than usual), this again does not diminish their talent. It's very distant and abstract with no real focus, once the first few tracks are over, it begins to sound the same and turns more into ambiance than the heavy metal we're all used to. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: Ozzy, at this point, still had moderate use of his vocal range and Geezer is still pumping out very intelligent and witty lyrics but, Tony Iommi's more progressive influence, the begins of which are heard on Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath, truly come to a head and overshadow all else; it's still Sabbath but something seems to be missing. // 9

Impression: Despite being what some people refer to as the last true Black Sabbath album, it still shines compared to their contemporaries works at the time; i.e. Presence - Led Zeppelin and Come Taste The Band - Deep Purple. Iommi, Geezer, and Bill Ward's virtuosity is very evident and at its high point in this album. I rather disliked their attempt at a dance hit; which did pretty well, but thats about all I didn't like. If this album were stolen (alright, I'll conform) I'd probably go and get a new copy, use a large caliber assault rifle to hunt the theif down and well, you know. // 10

Comments

[Razor71]

I think that most pple keep saying this album and the two to follow it sucks because they expect them to keep doing heavy stuff and just be a "FANS BAND" when they just write music that makes them feel good in alot of ways METALLICA has the same problem with fans

[savatage5150]

this album is amazing esspecialy meglomania,hole in the sky smptom of the univers

[Sanitarium91]

Wasn't symptom of the universes main riff pretty much the first thrash riff ever recorded?