Black Sabbath - Master Of Reality (1971) (2CD Deluxe Edit)

Black Sabbath - Master Of Reality (1971) (2CD Deluxe Edit 2009)

Remastered By: Andy Pearce @ Masterpiece

Digitally remastered and expanded two CD edition of this 1971 album from the British Heavy Metal band including a bonus disc containing nine previously unreleased tracks. . Master of Reality was the third album by Black Sabbath. The album's "darker" or "sludgier" sound was a significant influence on the Heavy Metal genres known as Doom Metal and Stoner Rock.Master of Reality was recorded at Island Studios in London, UK between February and April 1971. The album was produced by Rodger Bain, who had also produced their previous two albums. Contains new liner notes by David Wells and a booklet full of rare photos and memorabilia. Sanctuary. 2009.

With Paranoid, Black Sabbath perfected the formula for their lumbering heavy metal. On its follow-up, Master of Reality, the group merely repeated the formula, setting the stage for a career of recycling the same sounds and riffs. But on Master of Reality Sabbath still were fresh and had a seemingly endless supply of crushingly heavy riffs to bludgeon their audiences into sweet, willing oblivion. If the album is a showcase for anyone, it is Tony Iommi, who keeps the album afloat with a series of slow, loud riffs, the best of which -- "Sweet Leaf" and "Children of the Grave" among them -- rank among his finest playing. Taken in tandem with the more consistent Paranoid, Master of Reality forms the core of Sabbath's canon. There are a few stray necessary tracks scattered throughout the group's other early-'70s albums, but Master of Reality is the last time they delivered a consistent album and its influence can be heard throughout the generations of heavy metal bands that followed...S. T. Erlewine

This two CD version of Master Of Reality is a must have for Black Sabbath fans mainly for the second disc, which contains previously unreleased versions of all but one song from M.O.R. and the rarest of creatures, a previously unreleased song, yes, a bona-fide song!! As far as I know, this is the first official release on CD of any previously unreleased Black Sabbath song. The name of the song is 'Weevil Woman 71', supposedly (at least that's what they say in the liner notes) in reference to 'Evil Woman', which it also kind of borrows the riff from. I agree with what they say in the liner notes...it's a shame the Black Sabbath didn't work on this song more and try to include it on one of their albums, for even in this slightly unfinished and rough state, it is a killer of a song!! The main riff is very heavy and I like the way the tempo picks up in places. I think this tune would have sounded more at home on Volume 4 than on Master Of Reality. It is not the greatest song Black Sabbath have ever done, but hey, it's 'previously unreleased', man, and is definitely going to be played on the my next radio show on the 25th of July. Also on the second disc, we are treated to instrumental studio outtakes of After Forever, Solitude, Orchid and Children Of The Grave, along with alternate lyric versions of Sweet Leaf, Into The Void and Children Of The Grave and an alternate mix of Lord Of This World. Aside from Weevil Woman 71,the version of Lord Of This World is the most interesting thing here, as it has Ozzy's vocal double tracked and most importantly, piano and...in a few places...SLIDE GUITAR! While I can see why they ultimately didn't include this mix on the original album, in some ways I actually prefer it! As for the alternate lyrical versions, I am happy that these lyrics didn't eventually get used and am even more grateful for the lyrics that Geezer would later write for them. Still, it is very cool and interesting to hear.
As for the original album, it is actually my least favorite of the first three Black Sabbath albums, though I still absolutely love it and consider a classic album and easily give it five stars. After Forever is in my top ten of favorite Black Sabbath songs. I have always loved Solitude, which showed off a more mellow and laid back side of the group. Production-wise, it is the heaviest and loudest Black Sabbath album ever, with Iommi getting his best guitar sound. A classic album. This two CD version is another reason to buy it again...R. Recchia

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Tracklist:

CD 1

01. Sweet Leaf (5:06)
02. After Forever (5:27)
03. Embryo (0:28)
04. Children Of The Grave (5:16)
05. Orchid (1:31)
06. Lord Of This World (5:26)
07. Solitude (5:02)
08. Into The Void (6:11)

CD 2

01. Weevil Woman '71 (3:00)
02. Sweet Leaf (Studio Outtake feat Alt. Lyrics) (5:04)
03. After Forever (Studio Outtake - Instrumental) (5:20)
04. Children Of The Grave (Studio Outtake feat Alt. Lyrics) (4:36)
05. Children Of The Grave (Studio Outtake - Instrumental) (6:01)
06. Orchid (Studio Outtake with Tony count-in) (1:40)
07. Lord Of This World (Studio Outtake feat piano & slide guitar) (5:37)
08. Solitude (Studio Outtake - intro with Alt. guitar tuning) (3:45)
09. Into The Void "Spanish Sid" (Studio Outtake - Alt. Version) (6:24)