Black Sabbath 4 (Dig) [Import, Original recording remastered]

Black Sabbath | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 17, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sanctuary UK
• ASIN: B002JIEYLW
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,647 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Digitally remastered edition of this 1972 album from the veteran Heavy Metal maniacs. By the time Black Sabbath began work on what was to be their fourth album in `72, they were very much in the ascendant. Musically, the band weren't prepared to superglue themselves back into a comfort zone and just do what was expected of them. They wanted to go beyond the darkness and gloom which seemed to surround so much of their music until that point. Here was an opportunity to open Sabbath out to unexplored worlds, to be the band who led, rather than one of the many who merely followed. And they succeeded, as there's an elegance about Volume 4 which underscores the way in which the band had matured and developed, both as songwriters and musicians. This remastered and sumptuous gatefold digipak edition of the album boasts comprehensive story of the album sleeve-notes by renowned Rock critic Malcolm Dome and a plethora of rare and previously unseen photographs and items of memorabilia. Sanctuary. 2009.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What happened at 4 minutes 52 seconds in "Wheels of Confusion"?, February 3, 2010

By 

R. Culloty (McLean, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Black Sabbath 4 (Dig) (Audio CD)

I haven't listened to the Black Box 2004 remaster of Vol 4, but I am familiar with the old Castle Communications CD release that was etched in the 1980's. This 2009 remaster has a noticable volume drop in the right channel at 4 minutes 52 seconds into "Wheels of Confusion". I'm quite surprised this "glitch" was allowed to slip past quality controls and it leaves me wondering if the original master tapes are simply getting too old and brittle.

I've pondered the notion of ripping the track to WAV and performing a decible boost to the right channel in the damaged area to correct this problem. If I do, I'll keep you posted on my findings and methods.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Un-masterful Re-master, March 24, 2011

By 

T. E. Jones (Gaithersburg, MD, US) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Sabbath 4 (Dig) (Audio CD)

This album has been a part of my Black Sabbath collection since 1975, when I was first introduced to and became a fan of their music. Having had to replace my albums numerous times during the years of transition from vinyl to mp3, I long hesitated to purchased a remastered edition. A remastered edition of Vol. 4 is definitely needed, but this is not that edition. The sound quality on the original recording of "Wheels of Confusion," "Supernaut," and "Snowblind" is actually superior to that which is offered on this remastered album. The only tract that I can confidently say is improved in sound is "Laguna Sunrise."

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The Current release from Sanctuary, February 15, 2010

By 

KritxKorner (Illinois-USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Sabbath 4 (Dig) (Audio CD)

I have to agree with the review about not wanting to give this album/cd a bad review. The album itself is one of the greatest of all time. It's the description that falls way short. I bought Vol.4 and the other four re-issues from another site because they were only ten dollars apiece. They are worth less than that. I was expecting as it said a DIGIPAK tri-fold like that of Past Lives or all The Beatles Remasters. Instead there is a booklet that has no new pics. A plastic holder for the cd and nothing new. At least if they were re-issuing they could have enhanced it even a little. Black Sabbath should request these be taken off the market or sell for something like $5.99.