I've never been a huge fan of Ozzy's voice, much preferring other Sabbath vocalists Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan and Tony Martin. However, on this album Ozzy really shines and hearing him sing above Tony's killer riffs is indeed a nostalgic treat.
The album starts off with the unpromising dirge "End Of The Beginning" with Ozzy crooning some of Geezer's most banal lyrics. Tony's riffing diverts attention from this, and he is ably supported by Geezer's fluid bass and guest drummer Brad Wilks. The lyrics are total dross though - what the hell is a 'cybersonic soul'?
The really good stuff starts with the powerful second track "God Is Dead" which has been used as a trailer to publicise the album.
Riff-heavy "Loner" follows and Ozzy cackles just before the acoustic intro to unusual ballad "Zeitgeist" kicks in.
"Age Of Reason" is another great title for a Sabbath track, or even a Killing Joke one! Ozzy sounds world-weary and Brad's intro and contribution here are solid in a way Bill Ward may not have been able to match. "Live Forever" follows, and no, it's not the Oasis song! Tony lets rip on this one. A highlight, for sure. On "Damaged Soul", Tony goes further and sounds a lot like Jimi Hendrix in places. An unexpected treat! "Dear Father" closes the main album with the sound of a thunderstorm.
So, we have eight tracks which have captured the public's imagination so well that it's entered the album charts at Number One. The eight song version is available as CD, double vinyl LP and download formats. There is a deluxe edition with with three more tracks "Methademic", "Peace Of Mind" (not the Boston song) and "Pariah." These are all worth paying the extra for either as a double CD or an expanded download. However, the real news is that there is a twelfth track available only in certain territories and outlets. "Naievete In Black" is a fast rocker in the "Time Machine" style. It's available in the USA from Best Buy stores on a special 2CD set featuring an 8-song CD and a 4-song CD. Lately, it has been announced as available in Germany and Japan too. Perversely, the German version tacks the extra track onto the main album rather than the second CD. So you get a 9-track main CD and a bonus 3-tracker.
You can probably find the extra track as a legal download, but I know a lot of fans have been hacked off by this tacky piece of marketing, which almost encourages illegal downloading. The extra track isn't even included in special edition box set pictured above, which costs the princely sum of £69.99/US$74.98! It's pretty shabby to think that this track is not available in the band's home country. No doubt it will appear at some stage, perhaps on a "Tour Edition" CD release? One last point - all twelve tracks would fit on one CD!
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