Lively Sabbath album

Press, 25 February 1988, Page 22

Lively Sabbath album

BLACK SABBATH “The Eternal Idol” (Vertigo 832 708-1) When. Tony lommi, Black Sabbath’s guitarist and leading light, appeared with his fellow founder members at the Live Aid concert in Philadephia 2i/ 2 years ago, he looked like the Prince of Darkness.

Clad in black leather, small silver crucifixes dangling from his jacket and wearing a pair of extremely dark glasses, he embodied the image the heavy metal pioneers have had since their formation in the late ’6os.

Black Sabbath have become a less readily identifiable outfit since their peak in popularity in the

19705. Only lommi remains of the original foursome, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward having departed, and the former frontman and vocalist, Ozzy Osbourne, having gone on to launch a highly successful solo career.

Replacements, including Ronnie James Dio, have also come and gone. Not surprisingly then, the 1986 release, “Seventh Star,” was by “Black Sabbath, featuring Tony lommi.”

“The Eternal Idol” introduces a new singer, Tony Martin, like those in the first line-up from Birmingham. Martin sounds like a cross between Dio and Whitesnake’s David Coverdale.

“The Eternal Idol” is very similar to “Seventh. Star.” With the exception of the title track, lommi, who wrote all nine songs, relies less on the sometimes plodding rhythms of old, opting instead to continue in a livelier, hardrock mode. The usual references to death and evil can be found in the lyrics, but over all, the music seems to have a more optimistic feel.

“The Shining,” a call to “live long, live now,” is a cracking, memorable opening number and from there, Black Sabbath seldom slip out of the groove. Other highlights include the rollicking “Hard Life to Love” and “Lost Forever.” —ALISTAIR ARMSTRONG