HEAVY MUSIC HISTORY: 13 – Black Sabbath
The fabled, if chequered, history of BLACK SABBATH is one that can’t possibly be matched. Few bands have gone through the triumphs, turbulence and turmoil as Birmingham’s godfathers of heavy metal. While band’s countless escapes could fill multiple volumes of encyclopaedic style books, BLACK SABBATH’s nineteenth studio album 13 would be the final chapter of their story (at least in terms of studio albums). Released on 7th June 2013 it was BLACK SABBATH’s first studio album in 18 years, which is the longest gap between albums throughout their career, following on from 1995’s Forbidden. This was also the first studio recording to feature original lead singer Ozzy Osbourne (who last appeared on Never Say Die! in 1978) and bassist Geezer Butler (who last appeared on Cross Purposes in 1994).
In true BLACK SABBATH fashion, 13 had its own host of problems and delays. After Forbidden received torrid reviews, work began on 13 back in 2001 with the original line up with legendary producer Rick Rubin at the helm. Even with this monumental firepower behind it, the album was delayed for ten years. Osbourne was focusing on his solo career and the rest of the band were focusing on GZR and HEAVEN & HELL with Ronnie James Dio. With all these distractions, BLACK SABBATH went on hiatus.
On 11th November 2011, BLACK SABBATH announced the end of their hiatus, and would once again begin work on the album that would become 13 and once again acquiring Rubin’s services. Sadly, it would be another new-ish look to BLACK SABBATH, as original drummer Bill Ward refused to take part in the reunion due to a contractual dispute, the band were left to commence without him but stated that; “our door is always open” for Ward to return. As a result of this the band would acquire the services of Brad Wilk (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and AUDIOSLAVE).
Recording was supposed to take place at Shangri-La in Malibu, California. However on 9th January 2012 it was announced that Tony Iommi (guitar) had been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma so recording was moved to Tone Hall, Lapworth, England, which is closer to Iommi’s home. Recording then commenced in August 2012, after BLACK SABBATH played a series of reunion shows. Sadly, Ward and the band continued to disagree and he didn’t participate in the reunion shows.
The album was unleashed upon the world on 7th June 2013 and musically it received positive reviews, with many hailing the album for proving that the band were still relevant in modern day music. However, the album was lambasted for being a product of the loudness wars, in which albums were mastered far too loudly sacrificing the sound quality. Rubin’s production was particularly criticised for his overly distorted and compressed approach, and that it caused significant ear fatigue.
With its production criticisms aside, 13 is arguably the strongest album BLACK SABBATH have put out since 1971’s Master Of Reality. It was clear that the magic was back between the band members on this album, creating something that was quintessentially BLACK SABBATH but the musicians behind it were older, wiser and more discipline. The modern production was always going to produce apocalyptic sounding results. In a way it was a chance to right the wrongs of 1978 and the end of the first Ozzy era. 13 captured a reignited, all guns blazing BLACK SABBATH, something the world hadn’t seen since 1971.
This is reflected in the album’s success. It reached number one in the UK album charts, BLACK SABBATH’s first since Paranoid in 1970 (a gap of 43 years). In another first for the band, 13 also reached number one on the on the US Billboard 200, Osbourne stated “There have been so many amazing highlights in our long career. To finally have our first #1 album in the U.S. is another incredible milestone for BLACK SABBATH.” Alongside another number one in Canadian Albums Chart. Alongside this chart success the band won a Metal Hammer Golden God Award for Best Album and a Classic Rock Roll of Honours Award for Album of the Year. With a grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2014 for lead single God Is Dead? and a Revolver Golden Gods Award for Album of the Year 2014.
Whilst there is an underlying sadness that Bill Ward was able to be part of this final success and conclude the final infamous chapter of the band’s history. It was a moment of jubilation knowing at the time that we were going to get one more BLACK SABBATH album with Ozzy, which for many fans is all they ever wanted.
Given BLACK SABBATH’s history, if their final album with the original line-up was to go without a hitch it wouldn’t have been a BLACK SABBATH album. With all the trials and tribulations going on behind the scenes, the fact that this album even came to fruition is a miracle. However, BLACK SABBATH are a band born out of adversity, so to produce their most successful album in 43 years was a significant milestone. It introduced the band to a new set of longer metal fans whilst bringing back some old ones. 13 will remain as a triumphant final send off for one of the world’s most chaotic bands and the father’s of heavy metal. Whilst there is currently nothing to mark the album’s 10th anniversary, it deserves a place in every metalhead’s home.
13 was originally released on June 7 via Vertigo Records
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