BLACK SABBATH
Supersonic Years – The Seventies Singles Box Set BMG Metal’s founding fathers get revved up to 45rpm
Black Sabbath were
never regarded as a singles band in the 70s; it was through those iconic albums that they built their incomparable reputation. however, that should never detract from the fact the band still released some fine singles during this halcyon period. This box set collects together all of Black Sabbath’s 10 seveninch singles put out during that decade, which come from seven of their eight albums (the band refused to have a single taken from Master Of Reality). Moreover, each record comes in a rare picture sleeve, and there are also liner notes giving insight into the songs. What makes it even more interesting for fans is that four of the singles have edits that are usually a little hard to find. And to ensure the best possible audio quality, all 20 tracks have been carefully remastered by Andy Pearce, who has worked on the band’s catalogue for a long time.
Of course, the songs here are very well known, but it’s intriguing to see the way in which the A-sides are nicely complemented by the choices on the B-side. Wicked World works impressively with Evil Woman (Don’t You Play Your Games With Me) – which was the first Sabbath single in 1970 – and The Wizard was a fine selection for Paranoid.
As for the edits, you’ll find them on Iron Man, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Am I Going Insane and Hard Road. The last one also features an edit on the B-side Symptom Of The Universe, and all help you appreciate that, while Sabbath may have invented metal, they also understood the power of a good tune.
FOR FANS OF: LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN, METALLICA
MALCOLM DOME