UPDATE 5/22: The compilation is now available for pre-order. See links below.
UPDATE 6/7: A TV commercial video is available. It’s embedded below.
The promotional run up to the Download festival gig has begun, despite the fact we still don’t know who is drumming. We have the May 19th warmup gig at the O2, and this morning we also get the word that Black Sabbath will release a new Greatest Hits compilation (in Europe only). Well, it’s sort of new. If you remember, there was a Greatest Hits disc released in 2009, titled simply “Greatest Hits“. That’s mostly what this “new” release is. A reissue of that release under a new title with new artwork. The new title is “Iron Man: The Best of Black Sabbath”.
The track listing is:
- Paranoid
- Iron Man
- Changes
- Fairies Wear Boots
- War Pigs
- Never Say Die
- Children of the Grave
- The Wizard
- Snowblind
- Sweet Leaf
- Evil Woman
- Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
- Black Sabbath
- N.I.B.
This compilation is being released by Universal, which is why it will not be released domestically in the US/North America (remember, that territory is held by Warner Bros/Rhino, and they have their own single disc Greatest Hits album available). The 2009 release is being withdrawn from distribution, to be replaced by this new disc.
The majority of Black Sabbath fans will already own these tunes, but if you do not, or are you are looking for a single disc Greatest Hits album to toss in the car to have available to play, then this is a good choice. The Ozzy era is well represented with the traditional hits, as much as can be with the limitations of a single disc. This goes on sale June 4th. As of today, it’s not yet available for pre-order, when it is, I will revise this story with pre-order links.
Here is some artwork for the release, including the cover art. Also included below is the official press release from Universal.
Order Links:
- Amazon UK CD
- Amazon UK MP3
- Amazon US CD (via Import)
Album: “Iron Man: The Best of Black Sabbath”
Release Date: 4th June 2012
Download Festival Headline – 10th June 2012
Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward,– four names that resonate throughout Rock’s recorded history as clear and sublime as the bell that tolls the opening to the bands eponymous debut album from 1970.
Collectively, they formed Black Sabbath and forged the most haunting and hypnotic rock sound of all time. From humble beginnings, the Birmingham quartet enslaved the minds and souls of millions of rock fans around the world and continue to do so into the new millennium. The musical genre they created inspired countless musicians and spawned countless bands. Such has been their influence; they have been inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and were included among Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
“Iron Man: The Best of Black Sabbath” is a 14 track collection of classic tracks from across the bands first eight albums – including tracks from 1970’s debut “Black Sabbath” and follow up “Paranoid”, 1971’s “Master Of Reality”, 1972’s “Volume 4”, 1973’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” and 1978’s “Never Say Die”. The album brings some of the best loved and most influential rock songs of all time together on one album – including such classics as “Paranoid”, “Iron Man”, “Black Sabbath”, “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”, “War Pigs” and “Changes”. The release is a must have for any self respecting music fan…
Full Tracklisting (including original albums):
1 – Paranoid (Paranoid)
2 – Iron Man (Paranoid)
3 – Changes (Volume 4)
4 – Fairies Wear Boots (Paranoid)
5 – War Pigs (Paranoid)
6 – Never Say Die (Never Say Die)
7 – Children Of the Grave (Master Of Reality)
8 – The Wizard (Black Sabbath)
9 – Snowblind (Volume 4)
10 – Sweet Leaf (Master Of Reality)
11 – Evil Woman (Don’t Play Your Games) (Black Sabbath)
12 – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath)
13 – Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath)
14 – N.I.B. (Black Sabbath)
Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler recently announced they are reuniting as Black Sabbath and recording a new album. They are scheduled to perform a headlining slot at the Download Festival on Sunday 10th JuneFor more information and tickets please see www.downloadfestival.com. The band are also playing a warm up show at the Birmingham 02 Academy on 19th May (Sold Out).
“Iron Man: The Best of Black Sabbath” is released through Sanctuary on the 4th June 2012
Didn’t expect another one of these. If I saw it at a shop in the States in my price range I would probably get it but otherwise I already have two editions of the 1977 compilation as well as a 2 CD collection from Japan. I might even go for an import of We Sold Our Soul.
The Best Of…. but nothing from Sabotage? Nothing to see here folks.
Nothing from Sabotage?! What a shitty collection.
Since a band has to rehearse (even material they all played on) after years of not being together, I think one can assume Joe, that if you don’t know who is drumming, and Bill has not been rehearsing with them, that in ALL likehood Bill won’t be drumming with Sabbath. I know you don’t like speculation here, but I would think it is unfortunately getting to be the elephant in the room so to speak. I hope I’m wrong. Though I suppose they still do have over a week, and he could theoretically be rehearsing on his own. But that all sounds pretty far fetched. :\
Nothing off of Sabotage but it has Changes and Evil Woman? Lol! I don’t think so. GARBAGE.
I agree, what a silly record!……quite pointless really…..even Hard Road and Never Say Die were minor hits….but then Sabbath were never supposed to be a HIT band so why include Evil Woman?
I have been listening to Warning on a Vertigo Records Compilation cassette from 1970 as I only have a tape player in the car. It sounds really good all 9 minutes of it. Shame it ain’t here – as Aynsley Dunbars Retaliation are all pensioners now!
Re-hash, rip off!!!
Over and over and over again…
Love the cover , has all their best songs – though I’d probably swap ‘Changes’ for ‘Into The Void’ but it’s nice to show Sabbath’s softer side – a great compilation album
Sabbath have been my favourite band since 1980 when I first heard Paranoid, and my love of their first 9 albums is still almost as great as when I first heard them, but my respect for the 3 guys is rapidly disappearing. After all the “4 members” talk and the staged reunion it is shameful that they are allowing management to lead them down a path without Bill involved. I’ll watch them at Download as I’m there anyway but if Bill is not there it’s meaningless to me. This new Greatest Hits is pointless as it contains the same songs as on so many other releases – but I guess if people want to buy it that’s their choice.
I just hope it’s not a prelude of the forthcoming setlist!!! Sabotage has to be represented and more stuff from Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath.
Hey, for fun (and maybe prizes if there are any to give out ;), we could all give it a go in creating our own single-Disc greatest hits disc. Rules would go something like this:
1) All songs must fit within the 80-minute CD limit (no overburning or taking of other technical liberties to squeeze in more than the “typical” 80-minute max amount of time space)
2) No track-editing to make things fit! Each track should stand on its own if you were to shuffle your track list. Combining two songs (i.e., “Stonehenge” + “Disturbing the Priest”) into one track would be OK (in my mind anyway; I hate it when I put a stock copy of Born Again on Shuffle…)
3) Once a pre-determined end-of-contest date (or number of submissions) has been reached, the list of entries gets passed around for forum vote, Dupes would get credited to the first entered submission of a given track list & running order.
4) Winners get announced after all votes are in, and the winning submission earns the (original) track-list compiler a prize or two (if available by those who have such things to give away; and I say this knowing that I have nothing I can officially/legally offer to give away). At any rate, the winner would get acknowledgement from all his peers that he/she knows Sabbath, which Sabbath tracks “click” well together, which underrated tracks deserve more exposure to non-initiated ears (versus obvious choices like “Iron Man” and “Paranoid”), and basically, the winner would make it apparent that he knows how to make a great road-trip Sabbath CD, for those who are both familiar and unfamiliar with the band.
Ah, just something to kick around while we await more summer news. And who among us isn’t making mix tapes/CDs to this day, anyway, ay?
Nothing from Technical Ecstasy or Sabotage? Outrageous!!
Cool, but where is holy in the sky!!!
Cool,but where is holy in the sky!!!
Not one only song from SABOTAGE!?! What a shame! For me SABOTAGE is the greatest Black Sabbath-Album. Listen to MEGALOMANIA, a song which is ÜBERDIMENSIONAL (not from this world)!
This may sound like a shock to some but If I went to see Black Sabbath with Ozzy I’d be fine if they didn’t play “Iron Man” or “Paranoid” I’d much rather hear “Johnny Blade” or something from “Sabatage” or “Technical Ecstasy”. I mean I love Sabbath but “Iron Man” for the 1,000,000 time can get a little boring. I know I can’t be the only one who feels like this.
Agreed. “Iron Man” and “Paranoid” both suffer the “Stairway-to-Heaven Syndrome”. Great songs, but waaaaaaay too much overplay, ruining them in my brain ’til way after forever. I’d love to see a good counter-balance of tracks from “Sabotage” and beyond. Or even replacement tracks from already-represented albums (e.g., “Supernaut” instead of “Changes”)
I myself wouldn’t mind seeing “Symptom” appear one track before “Air Dance”, to not only jump that leap between albums, but also give people pause to appreciate Iommi’s jazzier side of guitar-playing which he snuck into Sabbath.
I think this new album will be the set-list!
Evil Woman, come-on-man!
Hey look, it’s my Unearthed collection custom Cover design!! What an honor? lol Too Funny :) At least I know they saw it n liked it.
Go ahead guys, airbrush Bill out of this one too, you know you want to.
The golden age of package design is well and truly behind us with this current artwork from Universal. First album great, 2nd album..suffered because Paranoid became a hit and bloke with m/cycle helmet and tights hastily found, 3rd album, an embossed masterpiece from Bloomsbury design studio 4th album super, 5th album superduper but would have been more wonderful on Vertigo, next album .. more tights.. next two T.E by Hipgnosis and George Hardie – 2 futuristic creatures communicating with each other using lubricating oil ( see 1978 publ Walk Away René by S.Thorgerson) Last album iconography currently in use in Hollywood and in BIrmingham 19th May. There were some real abortions with Castle Communications inc the Live album in 79, but someone really needs to tell whoever the runs BS productions all the good work laid down between 1969 – 1978 is being undone with no world class idea’s. I sold my mint copy of Master of Reality for £350 and am regretting it.
Wow :)
It’s getting ridiculous listening to you people complain about the same stuff over and over. This collection is for the casual fan, thus the “Best of…” title. Of course we know much of their best material on SBS, Sabotage and even NSD is not represented properly. Everyone knows that. They just did a triumphant warmup gig, TONY played GREAT which is a great sign he is recovering- and this is what you chose to complain about ? And there is obviously more to Bill’s situation than he let on. Read Geezers statement. There are two sides to every story. Its clear a whole lot of you “Sabbath fans” are looking for anything to complain about, and are in fact only detracting from their momentum and legacy. It’s sad frankly. And childish.
Jeff, most of the people that post on this site ARE children.
The only thing detracting from Black Sabbath’s momentum and legacy is- Black Sabbath. Erroneous IN THE EXTREME to try blaming the fans for this mess.Unfortunately, this pissing match could end up BEING their legacy.And the blame,if there must be some,certainly can’t be laid at our doorstep- Black Sabbath need only look in the mirror.
Never Say Die – you got to be kidding….
Wow.. Bill’s face is on the cover and his name mentioned in the release…
There’s also nothing from Technical Ecstasy.
Why dont they make a real greatest hits album that covers ALL of the sabbath eras? Im sure im not the only fan who likes The other members
i hate Sabbath Greatest Hits Albums. if you want greatest hits buy all their records and listen to ALL THE SABBATH SONGS
Hello,
Suggestions for lineup and setlist for Download, Lollapalooza and 2013 shows.
Lineup below is in the way of the Ozzy and Friends Shows, Ozzy Fuck SARS Show in Canada, Elton John, the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Santana, Etc,Etc.
Tony Iommi / lead guitar, guitar, acoustic guitar, flute, piano, harmony vocals
Ozzy Osbourne / vocals, harmonica
Geezer Butler / bass, harmony vocals
Bill Ward / drums/percussion, vocals, harmony vocals
Geoff Nichols / rhythm guitar, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Adam Wakeman / rhythm guitar, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Tommy Clufetus / drums
Slash / guitar, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar
Gus G / guitar, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar
Setlist as follows below, (32 Songs) (3 hour show) Record in Hi Def / Blu Ray / DTS.
The Writ
The Thrill Of It All
Megalomania (band Jam)
Never Say Die
Johnny Blade
Juniors Eyes
It’s Alright ( Bill Ward vocals)
Air Dance (keyboards solos)
Hard Road
Changes ( Tony Iommi on piano)
Sabbra Cadabra ( Adam Wakeman keyboard solo/band Jam)
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Under the Sun ( Full Studio Version)
Symptom of the Universe ( Full Studio Version)
Wheels of Confusion ( Full Studio Version)
She’s Gone ( Tony Iommi on acoustic guitar) ( Tony, Slash, Gus acoustic Jam including Orchid)
Black Sabbath ( Tony Iommi Guitar solo/ band Jam)
The Wizard
NIB ( Geezer Butler extended bass solo) (studio version)
War Pigs (studio version) plus ( Extended Version) (drum solos)
Solitude ( Tony Iommi on the Flute)
Farries Wear Boots (studio version)
Snowblind
Embryo/Children of the Grave/The Haunting
Sweet Leaf (drum solo)
Iron Man (band Jam)
You Won’t Change Me ( guitar solos)
Encore:
Dirty Women (guitar solos)
Into the Void
Killing Yourself to Live
Warning (guitar solos)
Paranoid (band Jam)
They don’t need another Greatest Hits record. They put out a remastered 1970 to 1978 collection about 10 years ago through Rhino. Also, if you are going to do a new Greatest Hits CD, you need Supernaut, Hole in the Sky, Symptom of the Universe, and Into the Void. Evil Woman? How about some rarities and demos?
What a joke. Do they really need to do this?
This on top of No Bill on new album makes me want to puke
I dont care what the reason is.
You dont come out with this big announcement about new album and not deliver.
Sorry to beat a dead horse Joe
I hope they realize how dissapointing this is to us
.
Does any one else notice that Geezer never looks happy anymore? He was always smiling and joking.
Watch the clip where they announced reunion. He looks pissed or bored to me.
I know this is off topic.
I was just wondering if anyone else has noticed this
Yeah! Gimme more! I haven’t heard it before. Unbelievable good music. Why is it that cheap? I would love to spend much more money on it. :-)
Don’t know if I’m the only one, but I think the name “Iron Man” was a very very bad choice. When I first saw the title of this post I thought that we’ll finally get a compilation album that wouldn’t neglect any part of Sabbath’s history. Reason being that “Iron Man” is also Tony’s more or less new nickname (to me at least) and so I thought that someone finally realized that it’s high time to celebrate his entire achievement and not just the first (and in my opinion not the best) years of his career. But apparently not so…
As for the band, I don’t think that they really have anything to do with this reissue – it looks more like a record company only thing.
10 years ago they should have named this “Greatest Hits I: The Ozzy Years”. After that it could have been followed by “Greatest Hits II: The Dio Years” and “Greatest Hits III: The Martin Years” (for example). And as there only are 2 Sabbath albums left which wouldn’t have been enough for a compilation, they could have filled the fourth CD with stuff from “Born Again”, “Seventh Star” and Tony’s solo albums + (if still within the 80 minute range) demos and other rarities.
And I too have noticed that Geezer no longer looks happy. Who knows… Maybe we can’t even imagine what’s going on behind the scenes.
nothing from SABOTAGE,one of the best LPs, one of the most underratted BS’s productions.
Having been a fan for years I was devastated of the news of you not playing with the band. To me its not sabbath and never will be without all four members. BUT Having gone to Download festival I see that this problem will never be fixed. Ozzys drummer is now the new Sabbath drummer. It was so obvious the way they presented him. He got a drum solo, he was in the band introduction. It breaks my heart that Sabbath has done this. Whatever the reasons. Whether it is Bills fault or the others fault. I cant believe the others have gone around being Sabbath without all the members. The Sabbath name is now tainted. I will ALWAYS love the music but I now have little or no respect for the band. This was a slap in the face to the fans. The real fans. Im sure people are loving it and saying get over it or whatever. Tommy’s drumming was incredible but it wasnt sabbath. It was some metal drummer in bills place. Not sabbath drumming. It didnt sit right with me. A shame but for me its over now. Bill wont be on the album or tour with them. I think if you saw them you would agree. What a complete shambles and shame…