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Reviews: Black Sabbath

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Reviews: 3
Review by analogue August 5, 2012 (6 of 6 found this review helpful)
Performance:  Sonics:
I just love to be surprised by sacd titles. I hoped for the best when I ordered this shm sacd of Black Sabbath's first titled album. The sound
quality regarding these Black Sabbath discs are all over the place. Paranoid was amazing as was Heaven and Hell. But the other sacd releases left something to be desired. Consistency IN SOUND QUALITY is not one of their virtues Im aFRAID.
This new shm sacd is simply astounding in every way. From the sound effects that open up the first track to the vocals that accompany it.............I was totally blown away. The jamming and the particular mood that these guys create is captured perfectly. In fact they really are very good musicians regardless of their genre.

If you own the Paranoid shm sacd this disc competes with that one in sound quality. I simply cannot believe a 42 year old recording sounds this good. Obviously the original masters are in great CONDITION and the original recording is tremendously good for a rock album. And lets give the mastering tech some credit here too. The sound on this sacd is magnificent.

I wont over indulge in the review department but will simply describe what I am hearing.
The vocals, the instruments and the soundstage............the sheer presence of real musicians occupy every second of this disc. The title song Black Sabbath sound so frighteningly powerful and full of doom....with Ozzie's voice simply pleading for release....wow. It actually cracks. Amazing sound quality. Every track sounds fantastic and musical.

This disc embodies all of the individual characteristics that we music lovers want in our purchases. Especially when we pay serious coin for our sacd's. It has great low end with bass and drums and a luscious mid range that has great 3 dimensional power.

Thankfully tape hiss is present and is always a great thing. The upper treble regions are full of life and sparkle. The bottom end..bass and drums are gorgeous. The guitar playing and sound is particularly impressive and tonally accurate. Ozzie's vocals are simply life like and realistic. this is Sabbath's first album and it sound incredible on Shm Sacd.

This is a fantastic shm sacd release of a great classic rock album. If you love Sabbath get this disc. Its worth every penny I paid for sound quality this great.

Highly recommended and a great mastering job.

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Review by Espen R October 18, 2012 (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
Performance:  Sonics:
@analogue has said it all. This SHM-SACD sounds incredible. It now sounds as good as you ever could hope for. It's an amazing transfer from the absolute stereo masters.

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Review by katabatic February 23, 2013 (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
Performance:  Sonics:
This is the third SHM SACD I have bought. It arrived from Japan this morning. My regular postman Eric handed it to me.

It is now 9:30 pm GMT, and I have just played the disc for the first time. My heart is pounding and I need another drink after listening to all fourteen minutes plus of ‘Sleeping Village/Warning’ (sorry, neighbours!). Hard to reconcile the fact that this was originally released here in the UK forty three years ago……….

Like the other SHM SACDs I have (Caravan – Land of Grey and Pink, and 10cc – Original Soundtrack) it may be a little ‘hot’, bright even, for some: there is a hell of a lot of treble energy here (and bass to match)! Some will baulk at the price, but like a genuine antique or quality single malt it is worth the expense if you want the ultimate formulation of something dear to your heart.

In short, a record that changed music for ever. Enjoy.

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