Really looking forward to this- Headless Cross is an absolute banger and TYR isn’t far behind. Also hoping that the Japanese bonus track makes it onto the Cross Purposes re-release. Not sure I care about about Forbidden - but it’s getting a remix so who knows.

https://blabbermouth.net/news/tony-iommi-confirms-that-tony-martin-era-black-sabbath-albums-will-be-reissued-in-2023

Cool. Still missing Tyr and Cross Purposes. Getting at least those when they are out.

Some of Sabbath's best music is from this era. It's criminally underated even today. Martin in my view was Sabbath's best singer. There's a reason Iommi opted for a then completely unknown Martin instead of going for some bigger more recognised name at the time. Good to see this era getting some love and attention from Iommi again.

Tony Martin still has the vocal chops. He and Iommi need to get together and tour under the name Headless Cross, playing these classics, and maybe make a new album.

this was a big blind spot in my metal listening that i filled in last year. would happily grab the first two on vinyl if they get released at a sane price

I still need The Headless Cross, Cross Purposes, and Forbidden (and Cross Purposes Live if that ends up getting reissued too).

I'm not quite as optimistic as the article headline though. They've been talking about this for a long time, and the entire article is based on this quote:



Obviously that's what he said, but he probably made a similar quote about 2022.

I'd love to get those in vinyl.

YAY!

Wow, I just bought Cross Purposes on vinyl at the local record shop because it was cheaper than ordering the CD. Hopefully these come out soon!

More accurately, he said that the IRS Records albums are getting re-released. That's everything from Headless Cross through Forbidden, including Dehumanizer with Dio on vocals. That also does NOT include Eternal Idol, which was on Vertigo Records.

Actually, only Tony MARTIN said that about 2022. When Martin made that announcement, there was no announcement by Iommi or the label.

Excellent. I need 'Headless Cross' on vinyl but no 'Eternal Idol'? What a shame

Eh..you won’t be missing out on much.



I wouldn’t hold my breath. Tony Iommi seems to regard that era of Sabbath with much indifference ever since reuniting with the original lineup.



While there is some very good material from that era, much of it was rather AOR-ish. Tony Martin without a doubt had the pipes, but they were a much better band with Ronnie Dio as frontman. Mob Rules is far better than any of the TM-era albums.

I have been listening to the album for over 30 years. I might actually know what it sounds like.
And with an average of 80% based on 19 reviews I think I'm not the only one liking that album

Things might be different now that the original line-up is pretty much buried.

What is certain and fills me with joy, is that Iommi is going to make a new album, most likely a solo one. His eponymous album (2000) holds up so fucking well and the recent Scent of Dark single gives reason to anticipate that the maestro's riff pen is still sharp.

Have you heard "The 1996 Dep Sessions" and "Fused", both featuring Glenn Hughes on vocals?
If not, and you like the 2000 release, you should def check them out.

Some examples:

I'm pretty excited about this, I like a lot of these albums.

Headless Cross and Tyr are some of the best albums I still only have old illegal downloads of. I'll buy the albums for sure.

I'm quite partial to this rather good rocker:

I should revisit those, though I don't remember feeling strongly about them one way or the other.

Looking forward to getting 'Tyr' once its re-released. 'Forbidden' not so much but I might still get it for completist's sake.

Geez...I'd never heard this tune.
It kills! Such a great groove, enveloped in heavier-than-balls riffage. Amazing stuff.

"When Death Calls" is one of my favorite Sabbath tunes.....even though some of the lyrics are pretty dumb. Great atmosphere.

A deluxe edition of Headless Cross would be interesting. Assuming that would be happening with these reissues.

What a relief Iommi confirmed this would happen. You could tell Martin wanted it to happen but was a little skeptical. I think it is supposed to be a box set.

6 months down and not a word about this. Not a good sign.

He confirmed it's happening after he's finished with the Born Again re-release. I read himself talking about it somewhere in this past few days.

As for the albums, I like them, being listening a lot of TYR recently.

They've got another (limited) reissue collection of the Ozzy era albums to flog. Can't be distracting from that now can we?

I feel better now. Thanks.

Lordcatfish, I was irritated when I saw that new Ozzy years box set.

What new Ozzy years box set are you referring to?

It is called The Hand of Doom. It is picture disc lps from 70-78.

M-A should have organized a Sharon hit job years ago. Specifically, August 21, 2005