Album Review
Black Sabbath - Paranoid Deluxe EditionBlack Sabbath – Paranoid Deluxe Edition

Lets rewind back to the early days of the 1970’s when Black Sabbath just came on the scene and caused a storm with their hectic stage shows and dark brand of heavy rock and roll, then released their debut self titled album and very shortly after they released their second studio album ‘Paranoid’, the album had just eight tracks but went on to become a major success with many people claiming it to be one of the best albums of the 70’s and others claiming it to be the best album that Black Sabbath have ever made, either way you want to see it this is a part of rock history and you can’t change that and it’s so good that they have now decided to re-release it.

So ‘Paranoid’ is being re-released on the 6th April, it is the first of the Black Sabbath deluxe expanded editions, where each album gets remastered and includes an additional disc of previously unheard outtakes, demos and instrumental tracks taken from the original studio sessions, now these extras are really only going to please the hardcore fans and the collectors out there who have been collecting the bands merchandise since day one, as for the new generation of metal fans I can see a lot of people picking up the album just for the fact that it’s a classic and they are yet to own it, but I can’t see them making much use of the bonus discs.

For people that have heard ‘Paranoid’ is its 39 years of existence then you will already know that the album is a work of art and a 5 star release, so with all these extras bundled on then the release is that little bit better, it’s just a shame that we don’t go up to 6 stars here at Alternative Vision as this release would get it without a doubt.

You must remember those meaty guitar riffs and power chords from Tony Iommi, if you don’t just listen to the opening track ‘War Pigs’ all the way through, it’s a masterpiece the song runs for 8minutes, well minus a couple of seconds, anyway the opening of the track is huge with the guitar riffs, Ozzy’s unique stand out vocals and the rock solid drumming, but what really brings the song to life is the power chords and guitar solo towards the middle of the song, it is proper mouth watering stuff and guitar playing of the highest standard.

The title track ‘Paranoid’ is one of the most known Black Sabbath songs, it is also one of the shortest running tracks by the band running for just under 3 minutes, however the song has a real special feel about it, Ozzy’s vocals sound perfect the way they just flow along really smooth and fast and everything about the song just fits together all so well.

The Deluxe version of the album does come with 3 CD’s, the first one being the original album, the second CD being the (1974 Quadrophonic Mix) of the album which features a few instrumental versions of songs on the album and versions with slightly different lyrics and the third CD features 8 previously unreleased bonus tracks. With the press copy of the album we received we only had CD’s 1 and 2 so can’t comment about the last CD but the second CD is quite a solid listen, it’s not something you are going to listen to again and again, well unless you want to learn some classic Black Sabbath riffs by ear, but the CD is really good to listen to every now and again just as a reminder of what amazing musicians Black Sabbath are.

Overall ‘Paranoid’ the deluxe expanded edition is a classic album made even better, if you are a hardcore fan or still not got into Black Sabbath then rush out now and purchase this as you won’t be disappointed.

5/5

Review by Trigger
 Band Members
Black Sabbath - Band
Ozzy Osbourne
Tony Iommi
Geezer Butler
Bill Ward
 Track Listing
Disc 1 - Remastered Original Album
1. War Pigs
2. Paranoid
3. Planet Caravan
4. Iron Man
5. Electric Funeral
6. Hand Of Doom
7. Rat Salad
8. Fairies Wear Boots

Disc 2 - Bonus Tracks: Previously Unreleased Tracks Recorded at Regent Sound Studios, 16 & 17/ 6 / 70
1. War Pigs (instrumental)
2. Paranoid (alternative lyrical version)
3. Planet Caravan (alternative lyrical version)
4. Iron Man (instrumental)
5. Electric Funeral (instrumental)
6. Hand Of Doom (instrumental)
7. Rat Salad (instrumental)
8. Fairies Wear Boots (instrumental)
 Band Related Links
Black Sabbath Myspace
 Review Score Code
- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
- What Was That?