As we edge closer to the “final shows” by Black Sabbath, one not unexpected thing has happened. We have an announcement of a new compilation from Universal. This will be released on October 28th, and the shows start up again in early November. The compilation is called “Black Sabbath: The Ultimate Collection”. Details below:
This is a two CD compilation from Sanctuary/BMG. I’ve written about this in the past on the site, but this means that it won’t be released domestically, as this is based off the European record contract that covers from 1970-1987, whereas the Warner/Rhino contract covers US/North America. The two territories can’t sell in each other’s area unless something special has been worked out license wise.
Anyway, this is a good cross section of the 70’s Ozzy era material. It’s not the usual Iron Man / Paranoid / War Pigs we get on things like this. Spans 31 songs, and includes the Bill Ward sung “It’s Alright”, so that alone is worth the price of admission given all the bullshit that’s gone on with Bill and the band. Check out the track listing:
The collection will come in a few versions:
- 2 CD
- 2 CD with Card Wallet Insert, Amazon UK Exclusive
- Digital
- Vinyl, 4 disc
The vinyl version will be released on November 18th. All the other versions are coming out October 28th. The vinyl version will be interesting packaging, as it will be (pre the press release) “produced in the shape of the cross”.
I did check into it, the remastering work for this is the same that was done by Andy Pearce for the Universal remaster series in 2009. So if you have those versions, you don’t really NEED this compilation, unless you’re a completist and just want it. Or, better yet, you can buy a copy, and give it to that sad friend of yours that isn’t into Black Sabbath. That works, too. :)
In the last several years, Universal/Sanctuary has released a couple of other compilations.
- 2009’s “Greatest Hits”
- 2012’s “Iron Man: The Best of Black Sabbath”
In 2012, I was told that the “Iron Man” compilation replaced the 2009 “Greatest Hits”, which was discontinued then. I was told now that the 2016 compilation won’t replace the 2012 version, so that will still be available as a single disc “Greatest Hits” compilation. Then there is of course the single disc 2006 compilation “Greatest Hits”, but that was from Warner/Rhino and is a US/North American product. Gah – I hate all these licensing oddities.
Anyway, here are some images, an ordering links (click the blue image) and whatnot for you if you want to check this out.
[ Click here for the Amazon UK Exclusive ]
Formal Press Release
BLACK SABBATH THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION
CAREER SPANNING SET RE-MASTERED and AVAILABLE on CD, DOWNLOAD and on LIMITED EDITION CRUCIFOLD (4-LP HEAVYWEIGHT VINYL)
THE MOST INFLUENTIAL METAL BAND OF ALL TIME
CD / DOWNLOAD RELEASED 28Th OCTOBER (CRUCIFOLD VINYL RELEASED 18TH NOVEMBER) ON BMG
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.
CD Disc One Tracklist
BMGCAT2CD83
1. Paranoid
2. Never Say Die
3. Iron Man
4. Black Sabbath
5. Children Of The Grave
6. Fairies Wear Boots
7. Changes
8. Rat Salad
9. Sweet Leaf
10. War Pigs
11. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
12. Hole In The Sky
13. Symptom Of The Universe
14. Spiral Architect
15. Rock ‘N’ Roll Doctor
CD Disc Two Tracklist
1. Dirty Women
2. Evil Woman, Don’t Play Your Games With Me
3. A Hard Road
4. Lord Of This World
5. Into The Void
6. Behind The Wall Of Sleep
7. Snowblind
8. Tomorrow’s Dream
9. The Wizard
10. N.I.B.
11. Electric Funeral
12. Embryo
13. Killing Yourself To Live
14. Am I Going Insane
15. Wicked World
16. It’s Alright
Vinyl Tracklist
BMGCAT4LP83
Side 1
1. Paranoid
2. Never Say Die
3. Iron Man
4. Black Sabbath
Side 2
5. Children Of The Grave
6. Fairies Wear Boots
7. Changes
8. Rat Salad
Side 3
9. Sweet Leaf
10. War Pigs
11. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Side 4
12. Hole In The Sky
13. Symptom Of The Universe
14. Spiral Architect
15. Rock ‘N’ Roll Doctor
Side 5
16. Dirty Women
17. Evil Woman, Don’t Play Your Games With Me
18. A Hard Road
Side 6
19. Lord Of This World
20. Into The Void
21. Behind The Wall Of Sleep
22. Snowblind
Side 7
23. Tomorrow’s Dream
24. The Wizard
25. N.I.B.
26. Electric Funeral
Side 8
27. Embryo
28. Killing Yourself To Live
29. Am I Going Insane
30. Wicked World
31. It’s Alright
Digital Tracklists
(Standard BMGCATDIG83 / MFiT BMGCATIDIG83 / HD BMGCATHDIG83 )
1. Paranoid
2. Never Say Die
3. Iron Man
4. Black Sabbath
5. Children Of The Grave
6. Fairies Wear Boots
7. Changes
8. Rat Salad
9. Sweet Leaf
10. War Pigs
11. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
12. Hole In The Sky
13. Symptom Of The Universe
14. Spiral Architect
15. Rock ‘N’ Roll Doctor
16. Dirty Women
17. Evil Woman, Don’t Play Your Games With Me
18. A Hard Road
19. Lord Of This World
20. Into The Void
21. Behind The Wall Of Sleep
22. Snowblind
23. Tomorrow’s Dream
24. The Wizard
25. N.I.B.
26. Electric Funeral
27. Embryo
28. Killing Yourself To Live
29. Am I Going Insane
30. Wicked World
31. It’s Alright
THE END – UK TOUR DATES:
Black Sabbath who are currently on their global ‘The End’ arena tour (billed as the final tour by the greatest metal band of all time) arrive in the UK this January.
Jan 20th 3Arena, Dublin – Ireland
Jan 22nd Manchester Arena, Manchester – UK
Jan 24th The SSE Hydro, Glasgow – UK
Jan 26th First Direct Arena, Leeds – UK
Jan 29th The o2, London – UK
Jan 31st The o2, London – UK
Feb 2nd Genting Arena, Birmingham – UK
Feb 4th Genting Arena, Birmingham – UK
