Review by Rick Eaglestone for MPM
I will fully admit that when this set announced I was completely overjoyed and well did even more so once I had got to opportunity to hear the set in all its glory as I feel that it is a part of sabbath’s past that has been woefully overlooked and now as an adult I look back almost aghast that I had picked up a copy of Headless Cross in my teenage years and practically cast is aside as it didn’t have the Osbourne named attached to it.
I have for years felt that hugely unfair on behalf I do honestly regret that it is no longer in my LP collection but now it would appear that the stars have aligned in the form of the 2024 remaster collection ANNO DOMINIis the First Boxed Set Celebrating the Tony Martin Era with Remastered Versions Of Headless Cross, Tyr, And Cross Purposes, Plus A New Mix Of Forbidden By Tony Iommi specifically for this collection.
The collection begins the aforementioned Headless Cross – this for me was the one that I had really been looking forward and well quite frankly younger me needs a stern talking to as how can anybody not the enjoy the combination of The Gates Of Hell and mighty title track Headless Cross and I think the benefit of age has made me appreciate just how much of a masterpiece When Death Calls is
The bonus track for this album is Cloak and Dagger which originally appeared on the picture LP of the album.
Out of all the releases on this set I feel this is the one that benefits the most with a cleaner, crisper sound with some nice dominating bass parts that were not necessarily highlighted before.
Up next is TYR which remains unchanged with no bonus items. For me I tended to stay away from this as I always looked at it a kind of concept album when in reality it has some wonderfully delicate compositions such as Odin’s Court which really highlights Martin’s range which then expertly weaves into Valhalla telling a great narrative, overall, as a collective body of work I found myself pleasantly surprised by it.
Now as we are stepping into the mid 90’s Cross Purposes is one I do remember is the change of personal with Geezer Butler returning for bass duties and Bobby Rondinelli on drums this just has the 90’s stamp all over it and has a real wave of tempo’s and sounds that a very reminiscent of the times and listening for the first time in well over 20 years feels like a complete throwback with something to fit any particular mood. Virtual Death is still the absolute highlight for me even with the bonus inclusion of What’s The Use which is virtually unknown so is a great inclusion.
Concluding this boxset is Forbidden which again has aged well, the inclusion of Ice T is never a bad thing right? Hearing him again on Illusion Of Power was a real treat and honestly, I cannot fault this inclusion at all, I Wont Cry For You is still an absolute emotion evoking track as too is Kiss Of Death – They were my favourite tracks back then and well, nothing has changed.
This is easily one of the most well-constructed and frankly well-deserved boxsets I have come across in some time and I am genuinely happy that in now exists for lifelong fans, former cynics and for a generation that this maybe a gateway into the heavier side of the coin.
ANNO DOMINI 1989-1995
CD Track Listing
Headless Cross (1989)
- “The Gates Of Hell”
- “Headless Cross”
- “Devil & Daughter”
- “When Death Calls”
- “Kill In The Spirit World”
- “Call Of The Wild”
- “Black Moon”
- “Nightwing”
Bonus Track - “Cloak And Dagger”
Tyr (1990)
- “Anno Mundi”
- “The Law Maker”
- “Jerusalem”
- “The Sabbath Stones”
- “The Battle Of Tyr”
- “Odin’s Court”
- “Valhalla”
- “Feels Good To Me”
- “Heaven In Black”
Cross Purposes (1994)
- “I Witness”
- “Cross Of Thorns”
- “Psychophobia”
- “Virtual Death”
- “Immaculate Deception”
- “Dying For Love”
- “Back To Eden”
- “The Hand That Rocks The Cradle”
- “Cardinal Sin”
- “Evil Eye”
Bonus Track - “What’s The Use”
Forbidden (1995)
- “The Illusion Of Power” – featuring Ice-T
- “Get A Grip”
- “Can’t Get Close Enough”
- “Shaking Off The Chains”
- “I Won’t Cry For You”
- “Guilty As Hell”
- “Sick And Tired”
- “Rusty Angels”
- “Forbidden”
- “Kiss Of Death”
Bonus Track - “Loser Gets It All”
preorder here: https://BlackSabbath.lnk.to/annodominiPR
Line-up:
Tony Iommi – guitars, production
Tony Martin – vocals
Geoff Nicholls − keyboards
Cozy Powell – drums, production
Bobby Rondinelli – drums (Cross Purposes)
Laurence Cottle – bass (Headless Cross)
Neil Murray – bass (Tyr & Forbidden)
Geezer Butler – bass (Cross Purposes)
Line-up:
Tony Iommi – guitars, production
Tony Martin – vocals
Geoff Nicholls − keyboards
Cozy Powell – drums, production
Bobby Rondinelli – drums (Cross Purposes)
Laurence Cottle – bass (Headless Cross)
Neil Murray – bass (Tyr & Forbidden)
Geezer Butler – bass (Cross Purposes)
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10/10
