13

So I finally got my hands on Black Sabbath's new album, honestly I am fairly impressed. I was a little upset about Bill Ward not contributing, but Brad Wilk fits in here fairly well. I figured I would review it. Now first off, I am in love with the packaging. It had the default cover, but when you move it/ look at it from a different angle, the fire on the 13 moves and grows. I thought this was a cool little addition. The casing comes with three pockets. The left has CD 1, with the eight tracks on 13. The middle one has the lyric book. The right pocket has CD 2, which came with 4 bonus tracks. The artwork is actually pretty cool looking all around, including the black and white photos of the band inside the lyric book.Some of what I say may sound a little strange about these tracks on how I compare it to early Sabbath, but it is on the quality level in which it deserves to be compared to those early albums.Track 1: End Of The Beginning. This sounds like the very first sabbath track. At a total of 8 minutes. It changes speed several times, to the point you think it's five different tracks. It's such a good track, not a second is wasted. The solos remind me of the early days of sabbath 10/10Track 2: God is Dead. I will say these are some smart lyrics, but the idea is not original at all( bonus points if you know who said "God is dead" originally and most famously) it is another longer track, which makes it a bit strange. Two eight minute tracks side by side. Anywho, it doesn't change up as much as track 1, but it's still a good listen. It reminds me of my poetry and rhyme schemes somewhat. 9/10Track 3: Loner. This really reminds me N.i.b. By black sabbath And lonely boy by the black keys. I really enjoy it. It's something I can imagine listen to while driving. Very nice track, not much to say here. 10/10Track 4: Zeitgeist. The title can possibly show that the band is thinking about earlier bands. It is basically Planet Caravan, only BETTER. In my opinion, I enjoy the lyrics better. The instruments are obviously much clearer and I find it more relaxing than the original. It has a beautiful solo towards the end of the song. Truly a perfect song. I could play this to my grandparents and they would enjoy it. It feels short at only 4 and a half minutes, I wish it was a bit longer. Then again, I had this problem with the original. 9.8/10Track 5: Age of the reason: instrumentally, this is one of the best things Sabbath has ever done. With a kick ass mid tempo riff, and thundering drums. The bass mixes only add to the mix. Ozzy's lyrics seem to speak of the coming apocalypse. Probably the best song of the bunch, I would rate it higher than ten if I could. And again it has quite a memorable solo. 11/10Track 6: Live Forever: the Chorus of this song and the riff, Add some lyrics from rockers that are nearly in their 70s about being a mortal. This song is gold in every way possible. Enough said. 10/10Track 7: Damaged Soul: good god. The lyrics of this take me back to the first sabbath album. It is extremely conceptual. The drums seem to be most important in this song. Another eight minute track. Ozzy's vocal effects and riffing sound like someone is getting towards the end of their life. I think of the album cover when I think of this song. the first decent solo sadly., is nowhere near as impressive as how amazing the rest of the solos are. The second solo, is one of the best of Tony Iommi's career. 9/10Track 8: Dear Father: the darkest track here. Lyrically it's another masterpiece. It probably is my least favorite only because it reminds me way too much of the first track. It runs a little too long, but the choruses make up for it. It ends with the same sound that started the bands career, a bell ringing. Perhaps it was pulled from the very same track. 8/10Bonus tracks:Methademic: basically a homepage to the band's drug use. It sounds like Sabbath in the dio era, with ozzy on vocals. Nice soloing again. 10/10Peace Of Mind: Pretty good song. Probably the worst bonus track. I just do not find much interest in it. It would be better on an Ozzy Solo Album. 6/10Pariah: this song all blends together. I love the chorus. It also has one of the better riffs. It still isn't as interesting as the first track or the other 8 on the album. 8/10Naïveté in black: another fast song. I can see why these songs were left off the original album. They just don't have the "kick" the other eight have. Honestly this is another boring one in contrast. It's alright, but again, it doesn't fit in with the faster temp. I can see why it was left off. 8/10

The return of Ozzy and Sabbath. This album i thinm i reviewed the original already but here is the review for the special edition of the Bestbuy version. That comes in a tri-fold paper case with the album and a second disc with 4 songs(Merhademic,Peace of Mind,Pariah & Naivete in Black) There are 3 versions,the first is 8song album then theres a second version with a second disc with 3 songs(Methademic,Peace of Mind,Pariah) and the deluxe 3rd version with 1 extra song on the second disc(Naievete in Black) that deluxe version is the best that 1 extra song is worth it. The 3 version idea i just think blowsit is an exploit to make you rebuy an album if you already got it(like me withScream,altho i got the 2disc i prefer the black flag original cover as to the american flag i just think ozzy & black go i have both so i switched the artwork. Go het it it is Ozzy Geezer Bill & Rage Against the Machine drummer Tommy Clufentos. There is so many excellent songs.Metgademic is awesome Damaged Soul is hauntigly accurate for me as well as Loner. My top 4 are Loner,Methademic,Zietgeist & Naievete in Black. These.songs are ALL great these are just MY personal favorites. The album in whole kills. It tells a story. I love Ozzy and his voice is always on point.The bass is chunky and heavy Tony Iommi has the best riffs in years. I think were lucky to have 1 more album from the best metallers in the game that got the wheel spinning. This is a classic album that is as good as Sabotage,Paranoid,Master of Reality Vol. 4 and the classic first album. It wont disappoint.

I was so happy Black Sabbath, the creators of the true, heavy metal music genre, put out a new, modern album with Ozzy on vocals before they retire! This album is incredible! It blends the raw, heavy originality of the early stuff with the later sounds they evolved to over the decades. Their jazz and blues roots are represented in this latest offering too! It is a perfect sonic illustration of their hugely long career condensed into one release! My one, true regret is that the band once again was unable to overcome differences and play together as an intact, original lineup (with Bill Ward on drums). Such a shame!I'm not happy that they made three, different releases of 13 music either! There's one release with only eight songs, another with eight plus three additional songs and even one Best Buy special addition with a 12th bonus song! Why the confusion??? I'm sure there are many Sabbath fans listening to 13 and not even knowing that they are missing out on three or four more songs! I ended up buying two versions so I could have all of the released songs! That's a waste.Don't miss an opportunity to grab another release from this iconic, heavy metal band!

I remember 1971 like it was yesterday, I was really into Black Sabbath. Back then we called their music hard rock and I had never Heard of the term Heavy Metal at that time. So I get this Black Sabbath 13 álbum strictly out of curiousity nothing more. I have not Heard the whole álbum. I was listening to the 1st song, The End Of The Beginning, I will say this: No one and I mean no one plays this music like Black Sabbath. I hate Ozzy's public persona, but he was meant to sing for and with this band.. Tommi Iommi isn't the fastest guitarist, he may not be the heaviest guitarist, but he always comes up with some great riffs as evidenced by the song. These guys should stay together til the end of time. oh yeah, miss Bill Ward, I hope he is in good health, but the guy who fills in for him does a great job. If you're into this type of music, buy it you can't lose.

Once its in the player, it just can be replayed, effortlessly ; so the lyrics become familiarizing ...just leaves one wanting evermore ; obviously, we will almost certainly be getting it ; and then there will hopefully be a re-edited version of the video-disc of 'The Last Supper' to accompany it : Now that would be Mega !!

not bad for old guysproper gloomy riffs and oddball vocalist with decent solid clever bass with Iommi enjoying himself againthis is worth annoying the neighbours withhave the extra tracks on this one and got a special offer so very happy

Not the great Black Sabbath of my youth, but a pretty powerful package for this team of youngsters!!

The top band, sounds on stage like dvd, cd etc.

Fabulous album. Back to roots. Iommi is trully master of riffs, and Geezer is remarkable bass player.Ozzy is crazy as always. The band I started with, and the band I shall die with. At least in this life. And seeing them live made my wish came true. Energy to die for. Long live BS.......