Tag: Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath to release live Blu-ray on which Ozzy’s vocals might not suck

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 3, 2013 By Steve Newton As anyone who went to see Black Sabbath in Vancouver six weeks ago knows, Ozzy Osbourne's vocals were hurtin' pretty bad. It really helped if you focused on the wicked performances of the other three players in the band, especially legendary riffmasterTony Iommi. But just today Sabbath posted … Continue reading Black Sabbath to release live Blu-ray on which Ozzy’s vocals might not suck

Black Sabbath’s new box set isn’t quite as wicked as its Black Box

By Steve Newton The hard-rock/metal world is all a-buzz with today's news that the mighty Black Sabbath will release a CD boxed set containing the band's first eight albums—the ones it recorded before Ozzy Osbourne got the boot and was replaced by Ronnie James Dio in 1979. That's all well and good. The more masterful Tony Iommi riffs … Continue reading Black Sabbath’s new box set isn’t quite as wicked as its Black Box

Rush debut gets vinyl reissue; John Rutsey gets vindicated

By Steve Newton Universal Music Canada announced today that the mighty Rush will reissue its self-titled 1974 debut album on vinyl to mark its 40-year recording career. Here's the promotional bumph: As part of Universal’s reDISCovered vinyl series, the original 1974 analogue stereo masters were cut to copper plates using the Direct Metal Mastering (DMM) … Continue reading Rush debut gets vinyl reissue; John Rutsey gets vindicated

Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1971

All in all, 1971 wasn't one of the greatest years for rock in the seventies. But it was a pretty great one for Alice Cooper, Rory Gallagher, and Yes, who each had two albums on my Top 30. As before, I’ve listed the LPs alphabetically by title, and included three choice tracks from each disc … Continue reading Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1971

Black Sabbath cancels Born Again show in Vancouver, Tony Iommi says “If I go deaf I go deaf”

By Steve Newton On January 19, 1984, Black Sabbath was scheduled to play the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver. The British metal legends were touring behind their new album Born Again, their first and last one to feature Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan. Also in the lineup–though not on the album–was former Electric Light Orchestra drummer Bev Bevan. The show … Continue reading Black Sabbath cancels Born Again show in Vancouver, Tony Iommi says “If I go deaf I go deaf”

Seger, Sabbath, Satch & the Mule: Vancouver’s top concerts of 2013

JOE SATRIANI PHOTO BY THE NEWT As far as huge events go, 2013 didn't boast the killer Roger Waters and Paul McCartney concerts that made 2012 such a memorable year for stadium shows in Vancouver. But in terms of club and theatre gigs there wasn't much to beef about during the last 12 months. Especially if you like the … Continue reading Seger, Sabbath, Satch & the Mule: Vancouver’s top concerts of 2013

The Newt’s top 10 albums of 2013

Gov't Mule Shout! Mule fans got a double dose of their favourite southern-flavoured blues/jam-rock outfit this time around, as all 11 tracks on Shout! were rerecorded on a second disc with a stellar cast of guest singers, including Ben Harper, Dr. John, Steve Winwood, Grace Potter, and West Van resident Elvis Costello. Black Sabbath 13 It was definitely a … Continue reading The Newt’s top 10 albums of 2013

Black Sabbath minus Bill Ward equals Bill Sabbath t-shirt

When word first went out in November of 2011 that Black Sabbath was getting back together for its first studio album since 1978--and a worldwide tour to boot--hard-rock fans far and wide rejoiced. I was among them. But the shine came off the project later on when it was revealed that, due to financial squabbles, … Continue reading Black Sabbath minus Bill Ward equals Bill Sabbath t-shirt

Vista Chino’s Brant Bjork still likes rock ‘n’ reef, says “it’s always cool to smoke pot.”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 4, 2013 By Steve Newton When stoner-rock legend Brant Bjork picks up the phone at his desert home in Joshua Tree, California, it’s just like old times. Eight years ago—when he was recording and touring with his band Brant Bjork and the Bros—Bjork called me from the same location and expounded … Continue reading Vista Chino’s Brant Bjork still likes rock ‘n’ reef, says “it’s always cool to smoke pot.”

Black Sabbath’s Vancouver show ruled by monster riffs

photo by rebecca blissett ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 23, 2013 By Steve Newton Talk about a study in contrasts. Strolling past Science World on the way to see Black Sabbath last night, we happened upon quite an unusual sight. Hundreds of well-to-do-looking folk dressed all in white were converging on an area beside the … Continue reading Black Sabbath’s Vancouver show ruled by monster riffs

The Sabbath Time Machine

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 18, 2013 By Steve Newton Black Sabbath (without Bill Ward) isn't giving any interviews in advance of its show at Rogers Arena this Thursday (Aug. 22), but that's okay with me. It just gives me an excuse to crawl back into my '70s time machine and reminisce, home movie-style, about what … Continue reading The Sabbath Time Machine

Ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted says that, with his new band, you work twice as hard for half as much

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 25, 2013 By Steve Newton When a veteran rocker calls in the midst of doing a major North American tour, it’s pretty common for him to use terms like amazing and awesome in response to the journalist’s tried-and-true icebreaker: “So, how’s the tour going?” But when Jason Newsted rings in from … Continue reading Ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted says that, with his new band, you work twice as hard for half as much