Entitled 'The Rape Of Christ', the artwork for the Sab's '73 platter has to be some of the finest. The cover, showing a man, struggling in his bed, plagued by demonic visions, seductive women and all manner of devilish temptations, is mirrored by the back, showing him serenely lying in a similar bed, peacefully guarded by lions and being cared for. It's this kind of emotion that Sabbath so gracefully yet ominously paint in their unique brand of doom rock.The poetry of Sabbath is one of shear maniacal genius, bordering on lost love, drug fuelled craziness and satanic hysteria. The title cut is a leadweight classic, scythed by an almost tranquil, smouldering mid-section where Ozzy tranquilly sighs, "Nobody will ever let you know, when you ask the reasons why, they just tell you that you're on your own, fill your head all full of lies", which is then distorted by a sudden doomy stomp. Class.
'Sabbath...' is another megalithic classic featuring cuts such as 'Killing Yourself To Live' leaving several critics arguing that it's the bands last true classic album, yet for me 'Sabotage' rocks far more.
'Sabra Cadabra' and 'A National Acrobat' have the Iommi riff masterclass, and 'Who Are You?' is genuinely creepy. Although I love the album, it's just a notch away from its predecessors.
9/10
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