Dogmatic

Whilst perusing the music section of Borders last night, my attention was immediately drawn to this black box that looked both menacing and ominous in between the usual pap that music stores stock these days.

Let me start from the outset and say - this is one of the most beautifully packaged box-sets I have ever seen. Granted the entire packaging is as black as black can be, visually, it is as gloomy and sinister as the band’s true legacy… its music!

Featuring the first eight Sabbath albums (Black Sabbath, Paranoid, Master of Reality, Vol. 4, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Sabotage, Technical Ecstacy, Never Say Die) - the set also includes a four track DVD of Sabbath performing ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Paranoid’, a live cover of Carl Perkins’ ‘Blues Suede Shoes’, and a rare promotional clip for the song ‘Black Sabbath’ live at The Beat Club).

An 80-page gorgeous hardback book is also included and features rare archival photos, two-part liner notes, complete lyrics, and an extensive timeline. The book also features two new historical essays by writers Chris Welch (”1970-1972: Lords of This World”) and Brian Ives (”1973-1978: A Hard Road”) and snippets from current stars who have been influenced by the Sabbath legacy. (Henry Rollins, Metallica, Rob Zombie, Nirvana, Rob Halford, Beck, Zakk Wylde, Melissa Auf Der Maur, Slash among many others).

Each classic album features newly remastered sound - which has to be heard to be believed! Never has the Sabbath catalogue sounded so dynamic and if you have ever considered yourself a fan - the Black Box editions are an essential purchase. Each CD comes packaged in an individual digipak recreating the original album art from the Seventies.

The original Sabbath lineup (along with executive producer Sharon Osbourne) supervised the box set with bassist Geezer Butler personally labouring over the lyrics of each album to ensure they were correct.

Simply mind-blowing and if that wasn’t enough… a spokesperson at the management company of Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has confirmed that the remaining Black Sabbath catalog is slated for similar treatment in 2005.