Customer Reviews

Seventh Star

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

All is well with the ongoing reissue program except for the fact that the live disc included here is of HORRENDOUS sound quality and prospective buyers should've been told so in the advertising and packaging. It's no more than an audience bootleg and that's a real shame.

Seventh Star is an excellent 80's style Tony Iommi solo metal album. Calling it Black Sabbath backfired as a sales incentive, angering many Black Sabbath fans who would have been more open minded to the records different styles if it had been labeled ONLY as a Tony Iommi solo project. And it would still be long forgotten without the excellent soulful vocals of Glenn Hughes, "The Voice Of Rock". He makes the average songs good, and the good ones incredible! Heart Like A Wheel, Danger Zone, Angry Heart and In Memory are standout tracks because they DON"T sound like Black Sabbath. A unique record in the 'Sabbath timeline.
It's the bonus live tracks that dissapointed me so badly. Glenn was sick/in a fight and got his nose broken/having drug issues (or all of the above) just before the Seventh Star tour, and was in no shape vocally to perform. Glenn stuck it out anyway and sang on March 21, 1986 in Cleveland. It was rough in parts, but the show went over well. After that, Glen fell apart more each performance, and was replaced by Ray Gillen within days.
The live bonus tracks feature Ray instead of Glenn on vocals, and that's where things go wrong. Whether you're a Ray Gillen fan or not,these live versions are nothing like the Seventh Star studio tracks! The first (and best) live show that Glenn Hughes performed with Black Sabbath (Cleveland 3/21/86) should have been remastered and added as the bonus tracks... they are the only ones that compliment the Seventh Star release and would have truly let you hear and judge this unique "Black Sabbath" lineup live before it's brief time was up.

Seventh Star is a real anomaly in the Black Sabbath album catalogue. The first thing that makes this album stand out as odd is the long title. The name "Black Sabbath featuring Tony Iommi" made more than a few Sabbath fans raise an eyebrow. The cover itself is less than extraordinary with a very blah photo of Tony in a leather jacket. At first glace, this album looks like it's going to be bad...but thankfully it isn't.

Apparently after the disappointing release of 1983's Born Again the band went their separate ways and began to work on solo projects. Iommi got a new group together (including ex-Deep Purple vocalist Glen Hughes) and began working on a solo project. Sadly due to studio pressure, Iommi was force to release his solo album under the Black Sabbath name. I guess he got back at the studio by adding the moniker "featuring Tony Iommi" under the Sabbath name. This could also be a way to warn fans that this isn't a true Sabbath album.

Because this technically is Tony Iommi's first solo album it shouldn't come as a surprise that this does not sound exactly like Black Sabbath. So it doesn't sound like Sabbath...but does that make it bad? Oh hell no as this album is actually quit good. The music is far from the doomy style Sabbath material and is more upbeat straight ahead 80's heavy metal.

The album opens with the fast paced rocker In for the Kill. I will admit I am not familiar with Glenn Hughes's vocals when he sang for Deep Purple but he fits the music well. A dang fine voice if you ask me. No Stranger to Love is a power ballad and the albums one single. For a ballad this isn't bad and I actually like it quit a bit. Turn to Stone is another power rocker that has a wonderful 80's style metal ring to it.

Sphinx is one of those passable "atmospheric" intros into a song and the Song Seventh Star is a slower, more melodic song. Danger Zone isn't bad, but don't worry it's not a cover of the popular Kenny Loggin's song from the movie Top Gun. The last three songs are rather passable but the first half is top rate.

Some people frown on this release because it doesn't sound like Sabbath but it again it was never meant to. If you go into this album knowing it was supposed to be a Tony Iommi solo album I think more people will find it to their liking.

Though I like this album, I am glad Iommi would reform the Sabbath band for the next album The Eternal Idol and return to more of a doomy (with 80's style flavor) Sabbath musical mold.

Don't let the 'Ozzy is Sabbath' drones fool you- many people would actually prefer this to the Ozzy stuff if they actually gave it a listen. Glen Hughes is a far superior singer and musician to that drugged out laughing-stock, and he and Iommi created a very classy album of melodic, bluesy hard rock here. This is actually the best album Iommi and Hughes made together; the songs are strong with good hooks and production is chunky and powerful, with crunching guitars and some nice mystical, atmospheric keyboards courtesy of Geoff Nicholls. Also, Hughes was singing his arse off on this one- his vocals are incredibly powerful and soulful. Whatever health problems he had on the tour certainly did not affect his performance on the album. A classic of old school melodic hard rock. 5 stars!

After the "Born Again" tour ended, Ian Gillan and Bev Bevan took off, leaving Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler yet again in a bad spot, needing to rebuild their band, Black Sabbath. An attemp was made in 84 with the return of Bill Ward, and new-comer vocalist David Donato, but that lasted only for a few photo shoots, and maybe a couple of rehearsals before falling apart. Then in 85 the original Black Sabbath reunited for "Live Aid", and there were rumors of them reuniting for good. Thank God that didn't happen!
Iommi and Butler branched off (or one could say that Butler left Sabbath, and that's the way I see it) to do solo projects. However, Sabbath still owed WB Records a 'Black Sabbath' record, plus WB execs, after hearing what Iommi had recorded with bassist Dave "The Beast" Spitz, drummer Eric Singer, and vocalist Glenn Hughes (one-time bassist/vocalist for Deep Purple), they urged Iommi to release it under the Black Sabbath name. Something that he would have been a fool not to have done! I've just always hated the 'featuring Tony Iommi' part under the Sabbath name. I really wish that could be blackened out. Plus, the cover could have been a LOT better by simply showing the desert and taking Iommi out of the cover photo. It was (and still is) a 'catch-22' situation: If it would have been released as a Tony Iommi solo album, critics and fans alike would have bashed it, calling it a Sabbath knock-off, and released as a Sabbath album, it was bashed as a solo album.
However, the album did pretty well, and Sabbath were born again yet again! Opeing with the fierce and heavy and fast "In For the Kill", they let you know from the get go they are back with a vengeance. The ballad "No Stranger To Love" reminds me a LOT of earlier Sabbath 'ballads' like "You Won't Change Me", "Changes", "Solitude", et al. Drummer Eric Singer should not only be credited for being one of the greatest drummers in rock (then unknown, stolen from the Lita Ford band, but to go on to working with the likes of Alice Cooper and KISS), but for introducing Sabbath fans to the double bass drum kit sound in the confines of Sabbath. Yes, Bill Ward had a double bass kit, but he was (and still is) a King of the Single Bass, as is Vinnie Appice. The already mentioned IFTK and "Turn To Stone" are solid rockers that are furthered along with Eric's mean kick a** drumming.
But, the real treat on this album (if those weren't good enough) are the very bluesy numbers "Heart Like A Wheel", "Angry Heart", "Danger Zone", and "In Memory" (and the already mentioned NSTL). This is the blues like only Iommi and Sabbath could play it (and remember, BS were a blues group from the outset). Very haunting riffs blended with Hughes' unique soulful blues voice just brings this album to life like never before.
And, if that's all NOT good enough, there is a real great mystic treat track on here! An instrumental called "Sphinx (The Guardian)" blends into the title track for the best Black Sabbath song since H&H and/or "Lonely Is the Word" from "Heaven And Hell".
Personally, I am SO glad that this was released as a Black Sabbath cd instead of an Iommi solo project, for if it had been released back then as an Iommi solo project, not only would it have been slammed for already said reasons, but it would have ended up in the same cut-out bins with Jimmy Page's "Outrider". Does anyone remember that one??? It was actually pretty good. Page should have taken a cue from Iommi and tried calling that a Zep record, and maybe it would still be talked about to this day like "Seventh Star" is...Then again, maybe not, because this has withstood the test of time because it is great music from a great band. And, this set live was phenominal! Even though Glenn was fired after only 5 days on the road and the AWESOME Ray Gillen was brought in to replace him, it was a great year for Sabbath live! So, if for only that, I am so glad this was released as a Sabbath album, for it helped keep them going on through the 90's. Thank you.

I bought this album on vinyl when it first came out and have always liked it, though it is pretty short (only about 35 minutes or so). It's a Tony Iommi solo album that the record company stupidly insisted on releasing as a Sabbath album. Forget the name on the cover. It's a VERY GOOD Iommi solo album, with great hard rock songs and a killer vocal performance by Glenn Hughes. On this deluxe edition, the bonus track on the first CD is the alternate mix of "No Stranger To Love" that was released as a single--it has more keyboards and was probably intended to be more 'radio-friendly'. Not a major inclusion, but nice to have.

It would have been nice to have some demos with a few of the other singers that were tried before Glenn Hughes was brought in, including the infamous Jeff Fenholt. Maybe Iommi doesn't feel comfortable sharing that material or no longer has access to it.

The second disc in the deluxe edition is really why I'm writing this review. It's a live recording from the very last gig of the Seventh Star tour in London in 1986, several months after Ray Gillen had replaced Glenn Hughes on vocals. The performance is good but the sound isn't so great. I don't mind so much, since it's nice to have this recording available. However, the record label should have sought out an excellent recording that exists of an earlier gig in San Antonio, Texas featuring the same lineup. I have it on cassette somewhere, and the sound quality (it was a radio broadcast) is fantastic. Plus, it's a longer show.

Oh well, at least we have this release.

From start to finish this effort delivers the goods and then some!
Although many fans during this period figured the real Black Sabbath was pretty much done/I guess again!

In For The Kill - Drives right @ you with ultimate fury & power/great intro. rocker/though not sure if it was ever played live during Sabbath's 7th Star tour? If it was actually never played live, it should of been a main staple in the set/great heavy/fast rocker!

No Stranger To Love - A more serious/slight departure from well-known Black Sab. style song elements/war/drugs/paranoia/etc...Great vocals on the recording by Glenn Hughes who unfortunately had to turn in
his mike duties due to vocal problems on tour to Ray Gillen. Also, awesome guitar/moving solos offered by Tony Iommi on this track!

Turn To Stone - Fast, furious, a Clash of The Titans rocker/was done
live and kicks major ass!

Sphinx(The Guardian) - Another short, but fantastic Sabbath soundscape from Geoff Nichols here! Ranks up there with E5150 (Mob Rules), Stonehenge & The Dark (both from Born Again). Also, the keys heard on this one INMOP./slightly resemble a bit of Whitesnake's intro. for Slow An Easy and The Gambler from Slide It In (1983-84).
Lastly, nice intro./used live/going into the Title track.

Seventh Star - Excellent/slower/mid-tempo rocker here! Nicely paced and definitely delivers a consistent driving rhythm!

Danger Zone - Another driving force 10 rocker by Iommi & co, that nevers stops rocking from beginning to the end!

Heart Like A Wheel - Absolutely, one of my favorites! A rock 'n' basic/heavy blues track right in your face! Love the rise of the blues....gaining sound/then pounding the ground all the way to the edge big time!(You say you don't love me, you say you don't care,
but don't leave me standing there!)

Angry Heart - Another cool rocker/shorter, slower paced track that stays firm and keeps the drive going.

In Memory... - A descent ballad/rock track that delivers a short & decisive ending for this LP!

Seventh Star also had some brief chart success on the Billboard's fifty I believe! Back in 1986, I remember seeing it listed and good ole Jim McMahon/Chicago Bear star superbowl winning QB. was one the front cover that particular spring issue.

Overall, SEVENTH STAR's continuing fury of the Sab. legacy speaks for itself! A great album that I recommend for all rock fans especially to those who truly appreciate Black Sabbath's history with or without Ozzy or RJD. Tony Iommi (guitar icon/the riff master), Glenn Hughes (vocals), Eric Singer (now KISS drummer), Dave "The Beast" Spitz (Bass), & Geoff Nichols Keys)all did a great job on this one! A definite 5 or should I say 7 star album in my book! Check it out/it's well worth getting!

We bought this album in the 80's and quickly figured it was a Tony Iommi solo album. In fact, it never should have been strapped with the Black Sabbath title, because I think that unfairly biased many people against what is a very good album.

After two decades, I burned it to CD so I could listen to it on my long commute to work. After giving it a fair listen, I must say I like it a lot better than when I first heard it. Back then, I was also expecting something in the vein of Black Sabbath and was likely disappointed and shelved it. Now I'm glad I have given it another go.

I had no idea Tony Iommy was such a good guitarist! I mean, he would do a bit of soloing here and there among the drudgy riffing of Sabbath, but I was surprised he could really cut it with more standard metal. The songs here are full of his riffs and lots of jamming. This is a guitar player's album and I now have a much greater appreciation for his guitar and songwriting skills.

After listening to it several times, I have no specific favorite cut as they all have their merits. This was quite a pleasant surprise. Highly recommended.

I waited several years before breaking down and finally purchasing SEVENTH STAR, which is really a Tony Iommi solo release. The record company insisted that the BLACK SABBATH name be attached to this album, in the hopes of generating more sales. Well, this album didn't need much help, and for those who like hard rock/metal of the mid-eighties, then this one's for you. Not only do the songs pack a punch, but the sound is awesome, and it deserves praise. Glenn Hughes is on vocals, and does a stellar job. The songs, "No Stranger to Love" and Danger Zone are the standouts. Danger Zone is my favorite from the album, with its catchy riffs. The songs transition well, and it's a quality release overall. This album sounds NOTHING like Black Sabbath, but it still rocks. I recommend this album for purchase--you won't be disappointed. 8/10

This CD should not be called Black Sabbath, but rather a Immoi original. Don't get me wrong, it is a good rocking CD, but it is not what Sabbath fans are used to. All the music has the Tony Iommi influence and distinctive sound and the chemistry with Glen Hughes is great. The songs like Seventh Star and In for the Kill will rock your socks off, but songs like No Stranger to love are too Journey like, thus not making the grade. As with other ventures between Iommi and Huges, it has its good and bad, but still a keeper if you are an Iommi fan after the true Black Sabbath of Ozzy and Dio era.