Master of Reality by Black Sabbath (CD, Jun-1990, Warner Bros. Records Record Label)

SABBATH rolls on with their incredible third LP, and now CD, MASTER OF REALITY. Back in the day you could walk down a certain street in this city where literally hundreds of hippies and Rockers held court; and hear this recording blasting from their cars and vans, which were parked right by the road for probably.... oh, two miles or so. It was a surreal scene.

Ozzy Osbourne's wailing vocals fit perfectly with the bludgeoning riffs of Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler while the great Bill Ward throws down the beats which bring it all together. It all adds up to music which is sometimes disturbing, but often strangely beautiful.

The MASTER OF REALITY of the title is none other than the Lord Himself(!)
Needless to say, you can't get any heavier than that.

Some of the lyrics are rebellious and antisocial. Two of the songs are written from an (apparently) Catholic perspective. In their boneheaded, hippieish way, the boys from Birmingham, England attempt to address the weighty subjects of God, the Evil One, the last Judgement, and eternity. They are somewhat awkward in doing so, but manage to make some incisive observations. As was usual with Sabbath in their early work, the music and words do go together very well. For example, when Ozzy, referring to Satan, howls "Lord of this world, evil possessor. Lord of this world, he's your confessor now", the point is driven home with great effectiveness.

The seventh song, SOLITUDE, is gentle, lovely, and soothing, and a welcome change of pace. It might be seen as the hidden jewel of the album.

I grew up with this music; so it's deeply embedded in my soul, and of course seems logical and natural. Sabbath are in many ways the culmination of the British Blues Scene; and also the successors to the throne of the mighty Cream!
To someone who's never listened to them before however- especially if that person isn't already familiar with Hard Rock music, and came from a purely Folk or Jazz or Classical background, the cultural world of Black Sabbath must seem truly bizarre.

Whether you love them or hate them, no one beats Sabbath at their own game- and no one ever will. They created this style of music, and they own it. And as far as Tony and Geezer's musical ideas are concerned.... well, only GOD can write better riffs !