The influence of early Sabbath has become so omnipresent that it's come back to influence its very creators 40 years later, but the results are unexpectedly brilliant, apocalyptic, and essential for any die-hard metal fan.
43 years after the release of that monumental first record, I believe Black Sabbath is very much alive.
13 does what you’d expect it to, no more, no less. It doesn’t break new ground, it doesn’t have the impact of Sabbath’s early work (how could it?), but nor does it tarnish the band’s legacy.
That 13 isn't an out-of-touch embarrassment is a surprise. That it's cohesive, engaging, and even fun is a near-shock.
This is Sabbath of the melodramatic ‘Iron Man’ variety, and Ozzy is in shockingly decent voice, amping up the drama with couplets worthy of Noel Gallagher.
Given all the distractions surrounding the record’s release, it’s shocking how well everything fits together. For a record 13 years in the making, 13 is worth the wait.
There isn’t an ounce of reinvention on the album. Or an ounce of inspiration.
There are moments on the album where Sabbath’s past glory emerges, but in the main, Iommi, Butler and Osbourne are going through the motions rather than quarrying for any inventiveness here.
All they had to do was wait 18 years and have Ozzy rejoin the group to make a good record. Well, I'm not complaining. This thing is a sort of soundtrack for death and apocalypse, and just a consistent ass project from a band which is less than that. It has 2 big-balls-bangers, God Is Dead? and Zeitgeist, and a slew of good to great songs in-between. The compression on the drums, and occasionally Ozzy's voice is a bit weird, but I'm just happy this is good. 😃
Discography Diaries #5: Black Sabbath
Album #19: 13
Genre: Heavy Metal, Metal
Date: 03/09/2020
Time: 3:55 PM
Finally, it's time to wrap up my dive through Black Sabbaths discography with their 19th and final album, 13. So I wasn't very optimistic going into this album, as Sabbaths work has just been really bad in their back catalogue, with so many albums that are just mediocre, forgettable and non-descript. All I wanted for 13 was a good enough send off for them, I didn't care if it was great ... read more
I was wondering why the drums sounded a bit out of wack and lo and behold the producer is Rick Rubin. ngl i think that rubin's production can be very hit or miss and this time it has been more miss.
all things considered tho, this is a very good farewell album from a legacy band. All around solid, even if nothing is that great. glad that ozzy came back for this one as it seems to have revitalised the band.
Black Sabbath's '13' is a triumphant end to the legendary heavy metal band's run, taking a more sludge-doom metal approach, while tackling some of the same themes of evil, misery and darkness they've always explored. Some might not like the Rubin mix, but if you can look past that, you're in for a hell of a time.
Derivative of themselves with full blown loud and heavily compressed modern metal production, an over bloated runtime, and a vital disconnect bringing this together as the swan song album. Still, I didn’t hate this. There’s some enjoyment to be had, and it’s mostly because there’s moments that feel like Sabbath are recapturing that early 70’s magic one more time. Most of the time, the drums are so flat and buried in the mix, and the guitar is insanely loud (ending ... read more
1 | End of the Beginning 8:05 | 83 |
2 | God Is Dead? 8:52 | 83 |
3 | Loner 4:59 | 76 |
4 | Zeitgeist 4:37 | 77 |
5 | Age of Reason 7:01 | 73 |
6 | Live Forever 4:46 | 72 |
7 | Damaged Soul 7:51 | 76 |
8 | Dear Father 7:20 | 82 |
#40 | / | MOJO |
#100 | / | Crack Magazine |