Black Sabbath, Vol. 4 (1972) (WARNER BROS. RECORDS) Black Sabbath
Album Description:
BLACK SABBATH, VOL. 4 (often shortened to VOLUME 4) is the fourth album by the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released in 1972. The album was originally to be titled SNOWBLIND, after one of several songs referring to cocaine use, and features several Sabbath classics, such as "Tomorrow's Dream," "Snowblind," "Supernaut" and "Changes."
In June 1972, Black Sabbath reconvened in Los Angeles, California to begin work on their fourth album at the Record Plant Studios. The recording process was plagued with problems, many due to substance abuse issues. While struggling to record the song "Cornucopia" after "sitting in the middle of the room, just doing drugs", Bill Ward feared that he was about to be fired from the band. "I hated the song, there were some patterns that were just horrible" Ward said. "I nailed it in the end, but the reaction I got was the cold shoulder from everybody. It was like 'Well, just go home, you're not being of any use right now.' I felt like I'd blown it, I was about to get fired". Despite the copious amounts of cocaine, the band produced another first-rate album that pushed the boundaries of heavy metal and would influence countless bands. However, the seeds were planted for what would eventually be the demise of the classic Sabbath lineup. As Butler told Guitar World in 2001, "Yeah, the cocaine had set in. We went out to L.A. and got into a totally different lifestyle. Half the budget went on the coke and the other half went to seeing how long we could stay in the studio... We rented a house in Bel-Air and the debauchery up there was just unbelievable." In the same interview Ward opined, "Yes, VOL. 4 is a great album but listening to it now, I can see it as a turning point for me, where the alcohol and drugs stopped being fun."
A pair of long and winding epics open and close VOL. 4.: "Wheels of Confusion/The Straightener" and "Under the Sun/Everything Comes and Goes," each consisting of two separate sections. The reflective, love-lost ballad "Changes" remains one of Sabbath's best, while Tony Iommi's gorgeous acoustic instrumental "Laguna Sunrise" is another low-key standout. But plodding, mega-decibel heavy metal is what Sabbath is known for, and VOL. 4 delivers with such dark rockers as "Tomorrow's Dream," "Supernaut," and "Snowblind," a track warning against the dangers of cocaine. VOL. 4 is a consistent, complete album that contains many of Sabbath's often-overlooked compositions. Based on the inspired performances throughout the album, you'd never know that the band has considered the writing/recording of VOL. 4 to be its most out-of-control and drug-heavy period. VOL. 4 is one of Black Sabbath's most underrated albums, despite its exceptional quality.
Black Sabbath: Ozzy Osbourne (vocals); Tony Iommi (guitar); Geezer Butler (bass instrument); Bill Ward (drums).
Produced by Black Sabbath & Patrick Meehan.
Track Listing:
1. Wheels of Confusion/The Straightener - 8:14 2. Tomorrow's Dream - 3:12 3. Changes - 4:46 4. FX - 1:43 5. Supernaut - 4:45 6. Snowblind - 5:31 7. Cornucopia - 3:54 8. Laguna Sunrise - 2:52 9. St. Vitus Dance - 2:29 10. Under the Sun/Every Day Comes and Goes - 5:50
Black Sabbath, Vol. 4 (1972) (WARNER BROS. RECORDS)
ReplyDeleteBlack Sabbath
Album Description:
BLACK SABBATH, VOL. 4 (often shortened to VOLUME 4) is the fourth album by the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released in 1972. The album was originally to be titled SNOWBLIND, after one of several songs referring to cocaine use, and features several Sabbath classics, such as "Tomorrow's Dream," "Snowblind," "Supernaut" and "Changes."
In June 1972, Black Sabbath reconvened in Los Angeles, California to begin work on their fourth album at the Record Plant Studios. The recording process was plagued with problems, many due to substance abuse issues. While struggling to record the song "Cornucopia" after "sitting in the middle of the room, just doing drugs", Bill Ward feared that he was about to be fired from the band. "I hated the song, there were some patterns that were just horrible" Ward said. "I nailed it in the end, but the reaction I got was the cold shoulder from everybody. It was like 'Well, just go home, you're not being of any use right now.' I felt like I'd blown it, I was about to get fired". Despite the copious amounts of cocaine, the band produced another first-rate album that pushed the boundaries of heavy metal and would influence countless bands. However, the seeds were planted for what would eventually be the demise of the classic Sabbath lineup. As Butler told Guitar World in 2001, "Yeah, the cocaine had set in. We went out to L.A. and got into a totally different lifestyle. Half the budget went on the coke and the other half went to seeing how long we could stay in the studio... We rented a house in Bel-Air and the debauchery up there was just unbelievable." In the same interview Ward opined, "Yes, VOL. 4 is a great album but listening to it now, I can see it as a turning point for me, where the alcohol and drugs stopped being fun."
A pair of long and winding epics open and close VOL. 4.: "Wheels of Confusion/The Straightener" and "Under the Sun/Everything Comes and Goes," each consisting of two separate sections. The reflective, love-lost ballad "Changes" remains one of Sabbath's best, while Tony Iommi's gorgeous acoustic instrumental "Laguna Sunrise" is another low-key standout. But plodding, mega-decibel heavy metal is what Sabbath is known for, and VOL. 4 delivers with such dark rockers as "Tomorrow's Dream," "Supernaut," and "Snowblind," a track warning against the dangers of cocaine. VOL. 4 is a consistent, complete album that contains many of Sabbath's often-overlooked compositions. Based on the inspired performances throughout the album, you'd never know that the band has considered the writing/recording of VOL. 4 to be its most out-of-control and drug-heavy period.
VOL. 4 is one of Black Sabbath's most underrated albums, despite its exceptional quality.
Black Sabbath: Ozzy Osbourne (vocals); Tony Iommi (guitar); Geezer Butler (bass instrument); Bill Ward (drums).
Produced by Black Sabbath & Patrick Meehan.
Track Listing:
1. Wheels of Confusion/The Straightener - 8:14
2. Tomorrow's Dream - 3:12
3. Changes - 4:46
4. FX - 1:43
5. Supernaut - 4:45
6. Snowblind - 5:31
7. Cornucopia - 3:54
8. Laguna Sunrise - 2:52
9. St. Vitus Dance - 2:29
10. Under the Sun/Every Day Comes and Goes - 5:50