The long-awaited remastered albums are due out in May
After years of lobbying, Black Sabbath fans are finally getting the Tony Martin-era box set they’ve been dying for. The band has confirmed Anno Domini: 1989-1995, an all-new 4-CD and 4-LP box set that contains Black Sabbath albums featuring lead singer Tony Martin. The release includes remastered versions of Headless Cross (1989), Tyr (1990), and Cross Purposes (1994), plus a new version of Forbidden (1995) remixed by guitarist Tony Iommi. Also included are a 1989 Headless Cross replica tour program, a 40-Page Book with photos, artwork & new liner notes, and a replica color tour poster.
Check out the cover art, packaging, and tracklisting below.
The set is slated for release on May 31 through BMG, with distribution thought Rhino.
“I am really thrilled that the Anno Domini collection is finally being released,” an elated Tony Martin exclaims. “The guys have worked really hard to get it to this point. Thanks to BMG and everyone involved. I am assured there are further plans to extend the collection, and I am not privy to the details, but I was presented with the set at Tony lommi’s house and it really is a cool thing. A long time ago, I gave away all my copies thinking at the time I would be able to get some more and it turned out that didn’t happen so it’s the first time in many years I have had these things in my hands. I truly hope you enjoy this collection, it is re-worked and re-cared for, and lifted into a much more Sabbath sound. As we say here in Brum – it’s bostin!”
Several albums make their vinyl debut in the LP version of Anno Domini, while the CD version contains three exclusive bonus tracks: the B-side “Cloak & Dagger” and the Japan-only releases “What’s The Use” and “Loser Gets It All.” A booklet comes with the set featuring photos, artwork, and liner notes by Hugh Gilmour. The collection also contains a Headless Cross poster and a replica concert book from the band’s Headless Cross Tour.
The forthcoming Anno Domini picks up Black Sabbath’s story in 1989, two decades and multiple lineup changes into the band’s groundbreaking career as metal originators. At the time, membership had solidified around riffmaster and founding member Tony Iommi, legendary drummer Cozy Powell (Jeff Beck, Rainbow, Whitesnake), singer Tony Martin, and longtime Black Sabbath collaborator and keyboardist Geoff Nicholls (Quartz, Bandy Legs).
The group originally released Headless Cross in 1989 on I.R.S. Records, the first of four albums Sabbath recorded for the label. Praised by fans and critics alike, the band’s 14th studio release produced three singles: “Devil And Daughter,” “Call Of The Wild,” and the title track. Bassist Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Gary Moore) joined for the “Headless Cross Tour” and stayed to record Sabbath’s next album, 1990’s Tyr. Named for the Norse god of war, the album explores similar mythological themes in songs like “The Battle of Tyr” and “Valhalla.” On “The Sabbath Stones,” the band channels Old Testament fire and brimstone into a classic bruiser.
In 1992, following a successful world tour, this incarnation of Black Sabbath was put on hold when the band reunited temporarily with Ronnie James Dio. Two years later, Martin and Nicholls were back in the studio with Iommi to record 1994’s Cross Purposes. The band was completed with the addition of founding Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bobby Rondinelli of Rainbow.
The Tyr-era Black Sabbath lineup reunited in 1995 when Powell and Murray returned to record, Forbidden. It was the band’s 18th studio album, and its last for nearly 20 years. (In 2013, Iommi, Osbourne and Butler released Black Sabbath’s final studio album, 13.) Forbidden, produced by Ernie C of Body Count, the hard rock band fronted by rapper/actor/Sabbath fan Ice-T, who appears on the song “Illusion of Power.” Since its release, sonically improving the album has been one of Iommi’s pet projects.
He explains, “I was never happy with the guitar sound, and Cozy was definitely never happy with the drum sound… So, I thought it would be nice to do it for him in a way.” He adds, “I just felt that, without changing any of the songs, there was an opportunity to go back and bring out some of the sounds and make it more what people would expect Sabbath to sound like.”
In 2022, Tony Martin released his third solo album, Thorns. The album features Venom drummer Danny Needham, ex-HammerFall bassist Magnus Rosén, ex-Ted Nugent bassist Greg Smith, singer Pamela Moore, and guitarist Scott McClellan, who co-wrote the album with Martin. Also appearing on the album are guitarists Joe Hardford and Dario Mollo. Mollo previously worked with Martin on his three-album series Cage, and has also played guitar for former Black Sabbath and Deep Purple member, Glenn Hughes.
Last summer, Black Sabbath released a vinyl box set, Hand of Doom. The release features eight of the band’s classic albums, released from 1970 to 1978. Limited to just 4,000 copies, the release was comprised of the complete, original Black Sabbath collection on picture disc for the first time including the band’s debut album Black Sabbath (1970), as well as the multi-platinum Paranoid (1970), the platinum albums Master of Reality(1971), Vol. 4 (1972), and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973), the gold-certified Sabotage (1975), alongside Technical Ecstasy (1976) and Never Say Die! (1978).
With all these new releases, one can’t help but wonder if we’ve seen the last of Black Sabbath on stage. Last year, classic Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne was booked to headline the inaugural at Power Trip in California alongside Metallica, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Tool, and Guns N’ Roses. Unfortunately, Ozzy canceled his performance due to ongoing health issues. Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi would reveal that Power Trip organizers initially approached Sabbath about performing at the festival with the original lineup. The band declined the offer, citing Ozzy’s health as the main reason for not taking the gig. There’s also the issue of the fractured relationship between Ozzy, Iommi, and bassist Geezer Butler with dummer Bill Ward. Ward did not appear on the band’s final album or take part in their final tour due to contractual issues.
“It’s hard, because Ozzy’s been going through a lot of stuff lately,” Iommi told SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation host Eddie Trunk. “He’s in hospital and out of hospital, and he’s really been fighting it; he really wants to get out there. But in my mind, it’s very difficult to sort of say yes. I’ve gotta think of the people in the band as well. I’ve gotta think of Ozzy, if he’s gonna be all right to do a show and whatever. So I wasn’t that comfortable with it, but I didn’t know Ozzy would be doing it on his own. But it’s great. I hope he can do it and that it’ll be really good. He really wants to do it. And he’s really trying to pull to get himself back. He’s had to go through such a lot of hard stuff lately. It’s such a shame, really. But he’s still fighting there.”
Despite turning down Power Trip, Iommi hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a one-off Black Sabbath reunion.
“I’ve certainly done the Commonwealth Games with Ozzy, and that sort of happened, but to do a full show, you’ve gotta make sure everybody’s in good shape because people are gonna remember you by that show. And I don’t want our reputation to go downhill all of a sudden. If something goes wrong or somebody can’t make it and we have to cancel… ‘Cause I don’t know everybody’s health; I don’t know how Bill [Ward’s] feeling these days. You just don’t know. So I’d like to be sure. If you’re gonna do anything, it’s gotta be good or not bother.”
Contrary to Iommi’s recent comments, Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler seemingly ruled out any sort of Black Sabbath reunion in the future.
In his new memoir Into the Void: From Birth to Black Sabbath – and Beyond, Butler opens up about his disconnect with Ozzy, and the band’s issues with Ward. Last week in an interview with Rolling Stone, Geezer put the cherry on top, saying of a reunion, “I don’t think Ozzy’s up for it, anyway.”
Black Sabbath – Anno Domini: 1989-1995 [BMG, 2024]
Vinyl Tracklisting
Headless Cross (1989)
Side One
1. “The Gates of Hell”
2. “Headless Cross”
3. “Devil & Daughter”
Side Two
1. “Kill In the Spirit World”
2. “Call of the Wild”
3. “Black Moon”
4. “Nightwing”
Tyr (1990)
Side One
1. “Anno Mundi”
2. “The Law Maker”
3. “Jerusalem”
4. “The Sabbath Stones”
Side Two
1. “The Battle of Tyr”
2. “Odin’s Court”
3. “Valhalla”
4. “Feels Good to Me”
5. “Heaven In Black”
Cross Purposes (1994)
Side One
1. “I Witness”
2. “Cross of Thorns”
3. “Psychophobia”
4. “Virtual Death”
5. “Immaculate Deception”
Side Two
1. “Dying for Love”
2. “Back to Eden”
3. “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle”
4. “Cardinal Sin”
5. “Evil Eye”
Forbidden (1995)
Side One
1. “The Illusion of Power” – featuring Ice-T
2. “Get a Grip”
3. “Can’t Get Close Enough”
4. “Shaking Off the Chains”
5. “I Won’t Cry For You”
Side Two
1. “Guilty as Hell”
2. “Sick and Tired”
3. “Rusty Angels”
4. “Forbidden”
5. “Kiss of Death”
CD Tracklisting
Headless Cross (1989)
1. “The Gates of Hell”
2. “Headless Cross”
3. “Devil & Daughter”
4. “Kill In the Spirit World”
5. “Call 0f the Wild”
6. “Black Moon”
7. “Nightwing”
8. “Cloak and Dagger” [Bonus Track]
Tyr (1990)
1. “Anno Mundi”
2. “The Law Maker”
3. “Jerusalem”
4. “The Sabbath Stones”
5. “The Battle Of Tyr”
6. “Odin’s Court”
7. “Valhalla”
8. “Feels Good to Me”
9. “Heaven In Black”
Cross Purposes (1994)
1. “I Witness”
2. “Cross of Thorns”
3. “Psychophobia”
4. “Virtual Death”
5. “Immaculate Deception”
6. “Dying For Love”
7. “Back To Eden”
8. “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle”
9. “Cardinal Sin”
10. “Evil Eye”
11. “What’s the Use” [Bonus Track]
Forbidden (1995)
1. “The Illusion of Power” – featuring Ice-T
2. “Get a Grip”
3. “Can’t Get Close Enough”
4. “Shaking Off the Chains”
5. “I Won’t Cry For You”
6. “Guilty As Hell”
7. “Sick and Tired”
8. “Rusty Angels”
9. “Forbidden”
10. “Kiss of Death”
11. “Loser Gets It All” [Bonus Track]
Fans can pre-order now HERE