Register Forgot login?

© 2002-2024
Encyclopaedia Metallum

Privacy Policy

Black Sabbath > Born Again
Black Sabbath - Born Again
Black Sabbath discography (main)
< Mob Rules
(1981)
Seventh Star
(1986)
>
Black Sabbath discography (all)
< The Best: The Ultimate in Heavy Metal
(1983)
Trashed
(1983)
>

Born Again

Black Sabbath

Type:
Full-length
Release date:
September 12th, 1983
Catalog ID:
814 271-1
Label:
Vertigo Records
Format:
12" vinyl (33⅓ RPM)
Reviews:
26 reviews (avg. 78%)
Side A
1. Trashed 04:16   Show lyrics
  (loading lyrics...)
2. Stonehenge 01:58   instrumental
  (loading lyrics...)
3. Disturbing the Priest 05:49   Show lyrics
  (loading lyrics...)
4. The Dark 00:45   instrumental
  (loading lyrics...)
5. Zero the Hero 07:35   Show lyrics
  (loading lyrics...)
Side B
6. Digital Bitch 03:39   Show lyrics
  (loading lyrics...)
7. Born Again 06:34   Show lyrics
  (loading lyrics...)
8. Hot Line 04:52   Show lyrics
  (loading lyrics...)
9. Keep It Warm 05:36   Show lyrics
  (loading lyrics...)
  41:04  
Band members
Ian Gillan Vocals
Tony Iommi Guitars, Flute
Bill Ward Drums, Percussion
Geezer Butler Bass
Guest/Session
Geoff Nicholls (R.I.P. 2017) Keyboards
Miscellaneous staff
Steve Barrett Artwork (assistant)
Ross Halfin Photography
Steve Joule Artwork, Design, Cover art
Robin Black Producer, Engineering
Steve Chase Engineering
Ian Gillan Vocals
Tony Iommi Guitars, Flute
Bill Ward Drums, Percussion
Geezer Butler Bass
Geoff Nicholls (R.I.P. 2017) Keyboards
Steve Barrett Artwork (assistant)
Ross Halfin Photography
Steve Joule Artwork, Design, Cover art
Robin Black Producer, Engineering
Steve Chase Engineering
Read Stand Out And Shout! 85% Sweetie October 7th, 2021
Read Ian Gillan Era Black Sabbath 60% Testament1990 December 31st, 2020
Read Needed a Bit More Time in... 65% TheHumanChair February 28th, 2020
Read Combining present and past... 75% kluseba February 24th, 2020
Read The Devil Jumps Out of His... 93% Tuvok April 19th, 2018
Read Ooh Mr. Miracle, You Saved... 65% CHAIRTHROWER August 5th, 2017
Read The Final Classic Album... 98% TheKilla June 30th, 2017
Read Purple Sabbath sure ain't bad 80% ViciousFriendlyFish December 12th, 2013
Read An underrated classic 95% calderabanuet August 2nd, 2013
Read Reborn Again 88% MEGANICK89 November 13th, 2012
Read Atmosphere does not make up... 40% ConorFynes June 5th, 2012
Read The Darkest Album? 90% Josef_K September 2nd, 2010
Read Excellent A-side, mediocre... 75% Miihkali123 August 22nd, 2009
Read The Black Purple Experience 75% Lade November 6th, 2008
Read Weekend at Gillan's 87% Acrobat June 24th, 2008
Read Underrated Masterpiece 92% Luvers June 26th, 2007
Read Deep Sabbath's one-hit wonder! 95% Satanwolf May 6th, 2007
Read Born Again Wicked. 88% hells_unicorn November 3rd, 2006
Read Underrated classic 95% BlackFuneral666 November 1st, 2006
Read Still Born 60% cronosmantas February 28th, 2006
Read It should be called "Born... 36% westknife August 14th, 2004
Read Wow...a lost classic! 90% Snxke July 3rd, 2004
Read The most maligned Sabbath... 85% desert_demon May 9th, 2004
Read Merde 35% OlympicSharpshooter January 10th, 2004
Read Amazing 95% SufferingOverdue June 27th, 2003
Read Oh yes, this is evil!! 77% UltraBoris August 26th, 2002

Music videos:
- Trashed
- Zero the Hero

All tracks by Gillan, Iommi, Butler, Ward.

Bill Ward left after the recording of this album to be replaced by Electric Light Orchestra's Bev Bevan.

According to legend, the infamous cover art for this album was done by an artist who was working for both Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, and the story goes that he made an intentionally poor job of it in the hope that Sabbath would reject it so that he could sever ties with them. As it turned out, Tony Iommi loved it (although Ian Gillan thought it was appalling).
The cover is based on a photo from a magazine called Mind Alive from 1968. This same cover was used by Depeche Mode two years earlier (1981) for the single "New Life".

In addition to its cover, the production of the album is also a highly criticized aspect. The band members have stated that the album sounded very good in the studio, but for some unknown factor (some believe it was due to pressing) it ended up sounding very different when it was released, something that upset the band.

The album's UK release date was long believed to be August 7. However, it was actually released on September 12, as albums at that time were never released on a Friday. However, the US release date is still unknown.

It is a common misconception that the "Stonehenge" scene in This Is Spinal Tap was inspired by Black Sabbath's stage set for this album's tour. Black Sabbath used a huge Stonehenge set that often didn't fit the venues they played in, whereas Spinal Tap's Stonehenge prop was too small, and "in danger of being crushed by a dwarf." In actuality the concept for this scene was developed in 1982, well before the Sabbath tour in question.

"Trashed" is about a moment that Ian Gillan lived through. While drunk, he drove Bill Ward's car around a go-kart track in the mansion where they were recording "Born Again" (the manager at the time, Don Arden, had bought each car from the band members). And in one lap, the tire was punctured, and at the moment of turning and taking the curve, the car overturned.
This song was re-recorded by Ian Gillan solo on the album "Gillan's Inn" (2006).

"Disturbing the Priest" is about an anecdote lived by the band. The place where they recorded the album, there was a church nearby. The priest of said church went to knock on the door of the mansion where the band was recording and asked them not to play on Tuesdays and Thursdays, because the church choir was rehearsing on those days.

It is believed that "Digital Bitch" is dedicated to Sharon Osbourne, but this has not been confirmed by the band.

"Keep It Warm", according to Tony Iommi, musically is based on some riffs that were left over from the time of the album "Mob Rules" (1981). While, lyrically, Ian Gillan dedicated it to his girlfriend (and later his wife), Bron Gillan.

No CD version of this album was ever released in the United States (although some imports can be found in some stores in that country).

An unmixed bootleg called "The Manor Tapes - Born Again Unmixed Demos" was distributed by a Japanese company in 2004, including an unreleased song called "The Fallen" that Black Sabbath would later officially release on the 2011 deluxe edition. This version It was recorded on June 26, 1983.

Recording information:

Recorded at The Manor Studio, Shipton on Cherwell, Oxfordshire. England.
Mastered on Amper Tapes.

Added by: (Unknown user) Modified by: Renatoletra
Added on: N/A Last modified on: 2024-02-09 21:36:25