Customer Reviews

Forbidden

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

After A disappointing offering of Cross Purposes Iommi,Martin,and Powell come back to give a very enjoyable music experience in Forbidden. With bassist Neil Murray and long time Sab keyboard Geoff Nicholls adding to the mix. Track 1 : Illusion of Power, Features Ice T In the middle during a thundering rhythem. Slick production and awesome sound are featured on this CD.Tracks 2 and 3: Get a Grip and Can't Get Close Enough are album staples. Track 4: Shaking off the Chains sounds like Sabbath of old. Starting with an eerie upbeat rythem and heading into a dynamic Iommi guitar feast. Track 5: I Wont Cry for You is an excellent ballad.This song has alot of heart and should have been a mega hit, If not for all the "it doesn't sound like Ozzy" naysayers. Iommis Guitar solo in this song goes right into the pit of your stomach. Tasty chops. Tracks 6,7,8:Guilty as Hell, Sick and Tired, Rusty Angels are good heavy metal songs. Track 9: Forbidden, I was waiting for the title song to break out, but it just didnt deliver the jams. Although still decent with interesting lyrics. Track 10: Kiss of Death. Finally Cozy starts pounding those skins he's so famous for. The best song of the cd Kiss of Death delivers and then some! With enchanted slow guitars turning into evil thundering riffs and mega drums this song should please any Heavy metal enthusiest. Martins vocals are at his best with Kiss of Death. Play it loud and over and over. Overall this is an excellent heavy metal album with the Godfather of heavy metal/doom/goth In Tony Iommi and legendary drummer Cozy Powell.

Sure this album is a bit hard to swallow at first. Rather than using mythological lyrics and a polished sound, they go for the raw and straight forward approach. To be honest, Im still getting used to some of the lyrics and even the music, but that at least keeps this album fresh. Moreso than on the last few albums you get a sense of tradition, even though at first glance this is a pretty atypical Black Sabbath record. Throughout the CD you can hear shades of various styles throughout the years. At times it captures the exact feel of such albums as Master of Reality, Sabotage, and even Eternal Idol.

In conclusion, DON'T WRITE THIS CD OFF!!!! Tony Iommi is a guitar god and one of the fathers of heavy metal. Tony Martin is by far a worthy singer of the band, and the rythm section may not be as original as Bill and Geezer always were, but Cozy and Neil get the job done, and do it well! Sabbath still lives....hell, they won't ever die. NEVER!

I love Sabbath and I like Tony Martin. In fact some of my favorire Sabbath cd's feature Tony Martin on Vocals. Headless Cross and Cross Purposes are great cd's. However Forbidden falls short here. Sure it has some pretty good tracks, but most of them just don't stick out. It reminds me a lot of the new Judas Priest cd as in it's very bland sounding. I will say it's better than the latest Priest offering, but that's not saying very much. If you like Sabbath or Tony Martin, it's probably worth adding to your collection. If your just a casual fan, I wouldn't recomend it.

If you don't remember me, look back at Black Sabbath review, it's one of the recent ones. I'd pick up this cd at a Music Recyclery for seven dollars, I came home with a Claude Monet of a record when I got home. This record is Iommi's last stand, and a last stand it was. Ice-T showed up out of nowhere for a little vocal job with Tony Martin (The other Tony), I really don't like that track that much, but it's only the first track. The rest, what a blast. Sure Tony Iommi's Headless Cross/Tyr lineup hated this album, but I really don't think that. Why? Two words: "Rusty Angels". Simplicity, but refined. This underrated track is what is blasting in my stereo when I'm driving. Neil Murray and Cozy Powell are really strong in this album, and Geoff Nicholls though overshadowed, appears every now and then. Another notable tune is "Sick and Tired", which would probably explain what they were going through when recording the last stand. Late Cozy Powell is pounding his heart out on this one. It's probably a great bar tune when you drinking or should be played when repairing a car late at night. Last track I'd recommend listening is "Get a Grip". I'd think Ozzy or any other singer before Martin could of sing this with ease if they wanted to, Glen Hughes preferably. Overall, this cd is worth a listening. You may not like it, but over time it could grow on you. It's Iommi's last stand, give it a chance.

This is the last album with Tony Martin. He was the best singer Black Sabbath has ever had. When I first heard this, I didn't care much about it. If you buy this, you may not like it at first, but it will grow on you if you give it a chance. Buy it, and give it a chance, it has some really great tracks. "Get A Grip", "I Won't Cry For You", "Forbidden", and "Kiss Of Death" are awesome.

Black sabbath with tony martin on vocals and it couldn't get any better than this !
Why the hate ? Stop living in the past and give it a listen.
This album deserves to be re-released.
Everytime you shout forbidden makes me wonder what you'll see.

I bought this in 95 when it came out, and have loved it ever since, it only getting better with age and every time I listen to it. I remember reading the review of it in "Rolling Stone" magazine, and they trashed it (the only other review I had read of a Black Sabbath album in RS was a review of "Mob Rules", and they ripped that one to shreds), and I remember laughing at the review as I listened to it. Now I see on Amazon (surprisingly) that a LOT of people are p*ssing on this. WHY???

Sure, at the time there seemed to be a bit of Tony Martin 'overkill', with "Cross Purposes", "Cross Purposes-Live", and this coming out all a year apart, kind of creating a Tony Martin cluster f**k, making Black Sabbath fans feel like it was maybe now time to find a new singer (which I feel Iommi did with Glenn Hughes on the awesome "Eighth Star", what I feel should have been the next Black Sabbath cd after this one, and then "Reunion").

This cd is a very great, very refreshing throwback to EARLY Sabbath. Dark, moody, bluesy, and even going back to 'rapping'. Yes, Black Sabbath were rapping from their very first albums with songs like "Wicked World", "Sleeping Village", "Electric Funeral", "War Pigs", "Into The Void", et al. So bringing in one of the coolest rap artists in the history of rap (Ice-T) to guest on the opening sinister track, "The Illusion of Power" was pure genius. Pure raw, electric/eclectic rock/rap power just like only Sabbath could do it, sounding like the dinosaur creeping out of the boneyard at midnight to take a bite. Wicked and sinister, displaying everything you could want in a Black Sabbath song right from the beginning.

Then the blistering "Get A Grip" takes off, ripping like "Zero the Hero" (another 'rap/rock' number by BS in 83)) and "Buried Alive" (yet another 'rap/rock' song from BS in 92), riffing fast and mean, with balls to the wall power.

Tracks like "Shaking Off the Chains", "Rusty Angels", "Guilty As Hell", "Sick and Tired", and the title track are pure blistering blues hard rock gems from Sabbath at a time when the latest trend was to have a vocalist that sounded like Cookie Monster on acid. The epic "Kiss of Death" is possibly the strongest song from Sabbath during the 90's. And, the 'ballads' "I Won't Cry for You" and "Can't Get Close Enough To You" are very akin to stuff from early albums like "Sabotage" and "Technical Ecstasy".

As much as I love "Cross Purposes" (and "Cross Purposes-Live"), I have a LOT of trouble with Bobby Rondinelli, who just so happened to step back into Sabbath when Cozy left on the "Forbidden" tour (which I recommend you seek out "Black Angels", a great DVD from this tour). He's a great drummer, but there's just something too generic about the way he is microphoned (he had the same problem in Rainbow, another band where he was hired to replace Cozy Powell). Cozy Powell could NEVER be replaced! He played the double-bass drum kit like Geezer Butler played bass guitar (one of a kind!).

Cozy had quit Sabbath mid-way through the "Forbidden" tour due to the fact they all knew it was the last Black Sabbath album to fullfill a contract with IRS before the original line-up reunited, and he was rightfully disgusted with all that. Really, the whole band was. But the way they just went into the studio and free-jammed was SO cool! And raw!

But, either way, this is a sizzling rocking cd! Black Sabbath fans make a huge mistake I see by comparing Black Sabbath cd's to other Black Sabbath cd's, instead of comparing them to OTHER music that was coming out at that particular time. I even made the same mistake in the mid to late 80's during what was called the 'Tony Sabbath' era. But, I now realize what a mistake that was, for the Sabbath sound is there, and awesome at that; possibly some of the best they ever made. Ozzy was a very distant memory to me and a lot of fans by this point, Dio and Gillen (Ray Gillen, not Ian Gillan) were the vocalists to compete with by then.

I find it really hard to critique Sabbath's studio cd's now that I have their entire touring catalog on cd and/or DVD (I prefer bands live), but this is a real mean Sabbath studio cd, and it really pains me to see so many people hating it with such passion, when, ironically, there is such passion in the recording of this cd.

And the cover art is the biz! The British humor that is Sabbath's trademark is so cool, and possibly the best cover art since "Born Again".

'Old Death' waits by the fire until He can claim his 'souls', but the message is he'll just have to wait for eternity because Sabbath are having way too much fun rocking by the fire.

This cd features the same line-up from "Tyr" (Tony Martin, Tony Iommi, Neil Murray, and Cozy Powell), and the only thing bad about that is that they lost 4 years between that and this cd (they broke up to reunite with Dio in 92 for the "Dehumanizer" cd).

Hopefully time will be kind to this cd, and it will eventually find the right fan base to appreciate its greatness.

I know it's no "Mob Rules" (there will NEVER be another "Mob Rules", for that was the BEST rock album EVER in my opinion), but I sure hope that someday people will hear what I hear in "Forbidden".
Thank you. :>)

As most hard & heavy rock fans already know, the so-called "newer material" long time bands write never really surpass the classic trend setting albums. It may be better than some of the past albums that were not classified the most recognizable that define the band, but all in all, the new stuff carry's on what was and attempts to keep the fire going. Some critics say give up the ghost and what's the point of carrying on? But when it come to Sabbath, Tony Iommi's desire to carry the torch for Sabbath has shown ultimate dedication to keep the legend of the band's history alive(& it's still around)!

Forbidden was not the band's final bow, but an admirable exit for Tony Martin who did offer some great moments as Sabbath vocalist! After a only few listens, Forbidden definitely had some classic elements along with some interesting raw twists and the controversial give or take rap & rock Ice-T moment.

Illusion of Power - Delivers a rising straight edge hard & heavy raw vibe mixed with only a brief Ice T/Body count rap & rock verse in the middle of the track. IMOP., not so intolerable/no big deal/and not so off the beat & track of rap & hard/heavy rock joining forces(let's not forget an example...Anthrax & the Boyz From Da Hood/etc.). Descent track to start the album. 4 out of 5!

Get A Grip - Another straight edge, hard & heavy rocker/enjoy the riffs & effort here/5 out 5 on this one!

Can't Get Close Enough - Slowed intro./interesting echoing on the vocals to start then kicks out & jams with much energy! Another decent track/4 out 5 on this!

Shaking Of The Chains - A definite classic, raw sounding, hard & heavy rocker all the way through. Nice riffs/excellent bass/& great drumming by the late Cozy P. 5 out 5!

I Won't Cry For You - My least favorite on this album. The intro. reminded me of a similar sound from Cross Purposes (' 94)/the start of " When The Hand Rocks The Cradle". Overall, a descent ballad/hard & heavy style track with some excellent Tony Iommi soling in the middle of the song! For me, 3 & 1/2 out of 5.

Guilty As Hell - Excellent raw heavy riffs here/really enjoy Iommi's creative vibe on this one/5 out of 5!

Sick & Tired - Fantastic drum intro./great bluesy heavy rocker with some nice keyboards mixed in by Geoff Nichols here. Another 5 out of 5!
Rusty Angels - More basic hard & heavy rocker/moving straight ahead & never rusty throughout except spoken in the lyrics. The song says it all (We may be older & grow tiresome, but we can still go/never say die)! Great track/5 out of 5!

Forbidden - The title track delivers a powerful punch/great heavy rocker straight ahead/5 out of 5!

Kiss Of Death - Like several others who like Forbidden/IMOP., best track on the album. The song has an awesome slow start/rising with passion/then offers a rollercoaster of tempos that make it an epic ride from start to finish! Tony Iommi's moving/dramatic riffs & solos kick ass on this one/just wish the majority of guitar sound had more heavy vibrato to it/still an excellent change up of hard & heavy rock!Tony Martin's vocals are great throughout this song and stellar
performing by bassist Neil Murray & Cozy Powell(fantastic drumming up & down the set here)! Also, Geoff Nichols key sounds add greatly to the awesome sounds delivered here/5 out 5!

Forbidden may of been overlooked & underappreciated by some, but overall is an excellent effort by all involved with Black Sabbath during 1995 era! Worth listening to many times/hard & heavy fans of the Sabbath legacy/get this one!

This is a good if not great Sabbath record. But it depends on who you are. There is no in between with this one. You either love this cd or you hate it. Some point out the fact that the music seems stale and old and a poor attempt at trying to recapture some of the heavy styles like on Vol. 4 or Born Again or Dehumanizer. But if you compare it to another album such as Cross Purposes you see that the music is fresh. Martin's singing is the most agressive we've seen and Iommi seems to turn to the old Ozzy days with his guitar playing. And of course the drumming of Cozy is solid as always. However I think this could have gotten 5 stars if Geezer had played bass. It would have fit in perfect with this whole album. I would recomend this album to anyone, especialy anyone who enjoyed Mob Rules, Born Again and Dehumanizer. Standout tracks are The title track, Get A Grip and Guilty As Hell. The overlooked song is the gothic sounding Illusion Of Power featuring rapper Ice T, the first ever guest Sabbath vocalist.

I cant understand why so many people didn't like this album, i mean people should be greatful that Black Sabbath still continude after Ozzy leaft. To be honest no one enver replaced the true king of rock himself, but that does not mean that all of Sabbaths other albums were going to be (...) [bad]. Black Sabbath have still produced great albums since Ozzy leaft and to be honest,Tony Iommi done the right thing continuing to carry the sabbath flag flying high. The album itself is a (...) good efferot, even if ICE T sings in the first song so what it sounds cool and is a very good song to start things, the momentume continues with other great songs such as ,get a grip,Shaking off the chains,and my fav I whant Cry for you a truly beaultiful song,not as top as dying for love from cross purrposes which I think has been sabbaths most wounderful song so far, and who could forget the powerful kiss of death this song rocks and is the best of the bunch. Whith songs like these and other good eferots whats wrong with you people. Reguarding Sabbaths new album I think Ozzy does not what to do it because tony Iommi continude on after he leaft which must have upset him, whith respect Ozzy all this stuff about it not feeling the same about writing songs is nonsese.