Black Sabbath Vol 4 opens up with “Wheels of Confusion” its here you can see the band have progressed a little, thankfully not too much though. I thought they were perfect the way they were on previous albums. You also have to remember these first few Black Sabbath Albums came out in quick succession by todays standards. Only really three years after their first album which means there would be little time to practice or do anything between recording, partying and touring. I often wonder how the band managed to pump out so many life changing albums so quickly. Regardless I really like the melodic passage at the end of the first song.
Tomorrow’s Dream is pretty much an old school Sabbath banger through and through. No major surprises here, just Iommi’s glorious riffing and a band in fine creative form. There’s the obligatory ballad that follows with “Changes”. Not sure what the deal with the song “FX” was but it seem to be just there to fill up some space.
“Supernaut” follows up next and we’re back into the Sabbath groove we all know and love. This song has a great little drum solo half way through it which really gives Bill Ward a chance to shine though. And probably a great chance to extend that one out live. “Snowblind” is another classic show case of riffage. Cornucopia keeps it moving along well, By now I feel like I’ve really gotten to hear a great album from these legends. After this another interlude with “Laguna Sunrise” and lastly “St. Vitus Dance” and “Under the Sun” rounding off one of the greatest metal albums of all time.
It amazes me how a band that put out this many records so close together and toured and partied the way they did kept this standard of songwriting up in their releases. I guess that’s why are are revered as the god fathers of Heavy Metal.
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