Earlier this week, Rhino released a box set called “Black Sabbath: The Complete Albums 1970-1978” on CD. As I said earlier on this site, and on Twitter, this is effectively the audio from 2004’s “Black Box” just reprinted. After having it in my hands for a few days now, this is indeed what it is. A barebones reprint of the audio CD’s from 2004. However, I have a bit more to say about the package than THAT. Check it out:
Background
10 years ago (doesn’t seem like that long ago), Rhino (a subsidiary of Warner Bros) released a big box set called “Black Box”. It was released surrounding then then Ozzfest 2004 tour (with Judas Priest) in the United States. It was a box set that culled all the Ozzy era Black Sabbath albums from the 1970’s into a nice box, and included a booklet (that despite one major error) was quite nice, both in layout and content. The biggest draw for that booklet in the Black Box set were that all the albums had lyrics in them – and they were verified by Geezer Butler, who wrote almost all of them anyway. Plus, all the albums were remastered – which was the first time the US/North America got a domestic remaster of these albums since their original mastering for CD back in the late 80’s.
I should probably take a moment here and point out again the difference between various remasterings. This has to do with label issues. While I wrote about this in detail in another article, the short version is when Sabbath signed way back when in 1969, there were two record deals made. One for US/North America (Warner Bros), and one for everywhere else (Vertigo). Due to that, each deal had their own set of masters, and that is what they used to press albums, tapes, and later on CD’s. Due to territorial rights, neither Warner could sell outside of US/North America, and likewise Vertigo (later Castle/Universal) could not sell what they did in the US/North America. This is why the Deluxe edition series that Universal did from 2009-2011 was never sold domestically here in the US. Warner/Rhino has rights to release these albums here. The Black Box (and 2014’s Complete Albums) packages are culled from the remastering work done by Warner Bros, and released on their Rhino subsidiary. The 1996 Castle remaster series, and the 2009 Universal series come from the original Vertigo deal, and are completely different.
Remastering & Formats
Back when Black Box came out, I called it “the definitive version of these albums”, and for quite awhile I was correct. I’ve later grown to prefer the 2009 Universal remasters as slightly better. However, that’s not to say the Black Box/Complete Albums remaster is no longer valid. It is seriously well done work. I’m making a razor thin comparison here. You will enjoy the heck out of the Black Box/Complete Albums version if that is what you buy. I only bring this up at all due to my existing “definitive version” comment. I might have been a bit overzealous when I wrote that, because the word “Definitive” tends to pigeonhole you into a corner. The reality is they’re both awesome, and both will kick your ass when you listen to them. ;)
Now to the 2014 package. LET ME BE CLEAR: The remastering work done here in this box is exactly the same as it was in Black Box 10 years ago, and is TOTALLY DIFFERENT from the various deluxe editions released over the last 5 years or so from Universal. When looking at these things, it is VERY IMPORTANT to pay attention to what label is releasing this.
Black Box was discontinued in 2011, and because of that, the Ozzy era albums were also formally not available in the US/NA on compact disc until now because of that. This package was intended to rectify that situation. I don’t think they wanted to bring Black Box back into print, because it had a higher price point when originally released (I believe it was $99, but I’m not 100% sure of that). They wanted to go for a more accessible type of release, and that is what this is.
This was also a staggered released too, as you recall, earlier in the year, the Ozzy era albums were released on the US iTunes store (and also Amazon’s MP3 store amongst others) – which was a first. The Ozzy era studio albums had never been there before. Not domestically in the US in digital format.
I have since confirmed with my contact at Rhino that the US iTunes release of these albums (under the title Complete Studio Albums 1970-1978) is indeed the same remastering work done 10 years ago or so for Black Box.
I’ve gotten a few questions about whether they intend on releasing this on vinyl. I was told no. If you want vinyl, you’ll need to look at the 2012 vinyl box set (not released in US/North America, it’s Universal), which is now hideously expensive, as I believe it too is out of print now.
UPDATE 1: Someone on Twitter pointed out the old Castle box with (nearly) the same name. That has nothing to do with this, is a much older and different remastering work. Don’t see that and think “Ah, its close enough”. No it’s not.
What is in here?
So, OK, now that I’ve written almost 1,000 words as an intro, what actually is in here? Well, first off, make no mistake. This is an outstanding audio recording of the Ozzy era Black Sabbath albums. Anything I say about this does not diminish the music contained within. Given this is effectively a reprint, the only thing to really talk about is the packaging, which is where I’m spending almost all my time here. The music inside is second to none, and is seriously ass kicking stuff. But if you are reading this page, you already know that. I don’t need to tell you how awesome these tunes are.
All that is in here is:
- The 8 albums in cardboard sleeves that are in a box.
That’s it! There’s no extra booklet, no additional disc, no nothing. What you are buying here is the music on CD and that is what they give you. There is nothing else – no text, no piece of paper. In fact, the only reference to this even being a 2014 release is some text on the bottom of the box. There are no credits for the 2014 compilation. Even the inside of the box is totally black and has nothing printed on it. Check out these two pics of the inside and bottom of the box:
Basically, when you get this and take off the shrink wrap, you open the box, and there are eight cardboard sleeves, each with a disc in them. There is nothing else in here for you to read except a listing of the tracks which comprises 100% of the back of the box.
I will have more photos showing all this stuff in the gallery below. However, a few remarks about all this:
- The cardboard sleeves both have the front and back cover art for the eight albums.
- They are extremely thin, there is no room for anything to be printed on the spines of each of them.
- There is nothing on the interior of the cardboard sleeves. It is all blank in there. Same for the interior of the box.
- The CDs themselves have two different art styles. Why they are not all the same, or each have individual choices, I don’t know.
- Black Sabbath, Paranoid, Master of Reality, Volume 4, & Sabbath Bloody Sabbath have the same printing style on the CD. Sabotage, Technical Ecstasy, & Never Say Die! have a different art style on the CD than the first five.
- Why the first five have one, and the latter three have a different one I don’t know.
- Technically the remastering work done in 2002 (2001 maybe, not sure when the work was physically done) for these releases has appeared in a few places now. 2002’s “Symptom of the Universe: The Original Black Sabbath 1970-1978“, 2004’s “Black Box“, 2006’s “Greatest Hits: 1970-1978“, and 2014’s digital release, “Complete Studio Albums: 1970-1978“.
That’s all I can think of regarding the physical presentation of this.
Summary
Understand, I did not write this to slag off the piece. I wanted to accurately portray what is in this box, and let people know what they’re buying. Having said that if you’re looking for a relatively cheap way to buy the 70’s era Black Sabbath albums, then you should buy this. As of the writing of this article on April 19, 2014, the package is selling for $54.87 at Amazon.com. That works out to be $6.85 for each of these masterpieces. From just a music standpoint, it’s a hell of a deal.
If you need to replace an old, worn out copy of several of these albums, then you should go for this. If you want to gift someone these masterpieces from the 70’s, this is a great choice, too.
Understand though, that this is simply a reprint of the audio CDs that were in Black Box 10 years ago, but at a lesser price point, and reduced packaging. That’s not a bad thing, these albums needed to be in print on CD in the North American market. That they weren’t for so long was an odd choice, really. If you’re the kind of person that looks for extras, and booklets, and additional tracks, then you will likely not be happy with this, as that is not what this package is. This IS however, a great value for what you get music wise.
If you have any other questions about the box, let me know, and I’ll update as need be.
Photo Gallery
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- The front cover of the box – closed
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- The back side of the box – this is the only real printing anywhere in the package..
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- What the box looks like when you open it for the first time.
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- ..except for this which is the only indicator anywhere this was a new 2014 compilation.
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- The inside of the box after all the sleeves have been taken out. Shame they didn’t use this to print something.
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- The front sides of the individual CD sleeves.
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- The back sides of the individual CD sleeves.
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- A closer view of the front of the “Black Sabbath” sleeve.
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- A closer view of the back of the “Black Sabbath” sleeve.
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- The art style used for the first five albums.
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- The art style used for the last three albums.
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- A comparison showing Never Say Die from Black Box and from the Complete Albums package
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- A comparison showing the “sleeves’ for Never Say Die from “Black Box” & “Complete Albums”.
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- A size comparison between 2004’s Black Box, and 2014’s “Complete Albums” packages.
This is exactly the same as the Doors ‘A Collection’ box set, also from Rhino. It’s a good way to get all the albums for relatively cheap, but like I’m now doing with the Doors, you’ll quickly want to get some nicer versions if you like the music.
A little bit weird for me to see a palm tree on Sabbath’s CD (I’m talking about the art style used for the last three albums). Is there any story on why it is done that way? Any piece of history that I do not know?
… the palm trees appear to replicate the actual labels used on records produced by Warner Bros. during the mid-seventies.
Released in 2014 as the “complete albums”? Seems it should have contained 13 then as well since that just happened last year. It is incomplete without 13. But then again, I guess you could make the Bill Ward argument too.
Look at the full title. “complete albums 1970-1978”. Besides I think it is too soon to include 13 in a compilation box set anyway.
Great review! Over the past few months I’ve acquired all the Sanctuary/Universal remasters for all eras so I don’t need this, but your comment on there not being any domestic/us albums in print oa fhrowing me off. I’ve run across plenty of new copies of the Ozzyz albums im stores like Barnes and Noble and Best Buy. Would these be the original warner cd pressings? I haven’t checked the catalog #s since i have the universal versions but it does appear something is in print or at the very least old cds have been sitting on shelves for a long time.
I won’t be buying as I didn’t the Black box set since I have all of sabbath on CD’s. I don’t get suckered into that remastered bull. CD’s no matter what you do to them the sound quality is limited. Now if you are new to sabbath and want it this is the way to go. No if they had a vinyl version I might get it since most of my old vinyl records were destroyed in a flood.
Great review, thanks! Personally I prefer the Rhino remasters to the Universal / Sanctuary DELUXE editions (I have them all). Simply, the Rhino remasters sound much more punchy.
In my opinion, the Black Box remasters are brickwalled to death and don’t sound as good as even the original Warner CD releases. Very harsh and lacking dynamics. You know it’s bad when “Blowing the Jug” is as loud as the fadeout of “The Writ” on Sabotage. They just compressed the heck out of it.
The recent Universal remasters appear to be the way to go if you’re interested in the best sound quality.
While I agree with it being a good thing that you folks in the US have these available cheaply, to me it’s just another ho-hum flogging of the carcass.
If (insert record company name/s here) wanted to give us something that we could get excited about & were really inspired to go & buy, how about the entire Sabbath catalogue on blu ray audio. For those that don’t know, it’s the modern equivelant of dvd-audio – high quality sound where you CAN hear the difference!
The entire Sabbath catalogue missed out on the dvd-audio experience in the early noughties (as did most major hard rock bands other than the Deep Purple Machine Head dvd-audio release) so now’s the time to make up for it!
Gentlemen, you have the technology….
Cheers
Just noticed Deep Purple Made In Japan will be released on blu ray audio on May 19…
Go the Sabbs….
A brief rundown;
http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/hometech/new-audio-format-has-purists-singing-praises-20140212-32gfu.html
I can only imagine how good Spiral Architect might sound on this format.
I just have one little nit to pick about the design of the discs. The olive green and “palm tree” discs replicate the corresponding vinyl labels – EXCEPT for Sabbath Bloody Sabbath! That should have been on the palm tree label as well, to be accurate. It’s just one of those little things that makes me go ‘wtf’??? Who was in charge and how does something like that happen? However minute, it is still an error. Having said all that, I’m glad they decided to go with the vinyl label design as opposed to the black on black design of the black box. Although I have the Black Box, I’m seriously considering buying the new box set because, y’know, I’m a freak about these things. AND – give it about a couple years or so and they’ll probably quadruple in value. So if you don’t own the Black Box, buy 2 of these new sets and keep one sealed. Great investment, perhaps.
Hi,
more of those little things… I have 1971 Warner pressing of Master of reality with “palm tree” label. Also, there’s no color in the album name on front cover, just black “pressing” on black background.
I’ll pass on this I prefer Jewel cases and the artwork for some of the cds you posted is just cheap.
P.S. I agree though with the chap above, that the truly Complete Sabbath
albums all deserve a real, high-end, blu ray, hiDef release in the best
possible format imaginable with a fresh remastering, minus over compression,
and going back to the master tapes (or new masters struck thereof),
and if we can get them to sound as good as the latest Pink Floyd remasters,
we might really have something. In the meantime, I trust and hope this
collection will hold us.
P.S. Y’all, been delving into the actual physical copy of this box set
the past week, and it’s great, ok, no frills, but thus far, it all sounds
fantastic to me, the sound quality seems quite good. Would pristine
good or Mobile Fidelity level vinyl and a $50,000 sound system be better?
Yeah, to be sure, but otherwise, you can’t go wrong, I think, with this humble but way cool
Sabbath early albums set, and I’m sure the older Black Box is
well worth going back and picking up as well, I may indeed
myself go back a step and buy THAT as well, as I’d meant to
a good while ago. But for now, this portable Sabbath complete
is just great, and the price was right. A lovely birthday gift,
I cannot complain. Book would have been nice, extras,
but who cares, you get the original albums and the sound
is good, to my ears, and it’s totally portable!
Regarding the topic on the Technical Ecstasy album…
I won a lot of bets from so called “die hard Sabbath fans” who never heard of that album, and did not believe “It’s Alright” was original Sabbath tune that I always Loved.
I also know plenty of others who happen to buy it soon after.
(WE did not have google..lol)
Bill Ward has a great voice ( or had anyway) and wish there were more songs for him to lead.
I LOVE every song on that Album particularly “All Moving Parts Stand Still”.
I LOVE that the album stands out, to me it expresses their creative abililities which can be limitless.
I don’t see anything wrong with them experimenting with different sounds and/or having a ballad.
Ozzy did plenty of mellow tunes on his own.
Too bad not enough peep gave it a shot.
They don’t really know what they are missing.
Cheryl: I never even heard Tech. Ecstasy until perhaps the 1990s:
I recall being a kid going to my local Record World shop when it
was a brand new release, sitting on the outside display wall of
the vinyl releases that week, hot sellers, haha, and looking at that
spectacularly f’d up cover, and going…..what da heck is this?
And I barely knew Black Sabbath then, but knew enough to know
something was going very weird with them! I was perplexed.
That album cover really scared/disturbed me, that’s all I recall.
I’m sure I prob. bought a Blondie LP or whatever instead,
which is what I most likely was there for, anyway. Or a Monty
Python LP. Anyhoo….it’s an ok album, has some great tracks,
but it IS bizarre, right down to the cover art! It was a rough time
for them then, and a departure/experiment, but at least they weren’t
utterly repeating themselves! But how could I have known/cared
at age 9 or 10? Didn’t. Couldn’t. I played Sabotage last night
and hey that’s also a fine album!! I didn’t know it as well as the earlier
LPs.
In my opinion the recent Universal 2009 Black Sabbath Remasters sound much better than the Rhinos.
& they would sound even better on a Blu Ray Pure Audio disc.
Anyway, here’s a start;
http://store.universalmusic.com/udiscover/*/Blu-Ray-Audio/13-Blu-Ray-Audio/3H8T03SW000
Now we need the back catalogue!!
Good start, very good. However, not the whole story. I would like to see “Black Sabbath, the complete albums 1980-1987”. They did some great work after Ozzy left, namely “Heaven and Hell”, “Mob Rules”, and “The Eternal Idol”. These albums should not be ignored, and are essential to the Black Sabbath story. Besides, these albums were better than their last three with Ozzy. I know Tony Iommi would agree.
What do you about the 2012 deluxe reissues. Is the remaster quality the same as these black box. Should I bother to get deluxe issues?