Glad to see that there are other Black Sabbath fans that love the extremely underrated Tony Martin era. I love all five studio albums that Tony Martin did with Black Sabbath, especially The Eternal Idol, Headless Cross, and TYR. These albums in my opinion are just as amazing as Heaven And Hell, The Mob Rules, Paranoid, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath , and other Legendary Black Sabbath albums. One of my all time favorite Black Sabbath songs ever is When Death Calls. It is a MASTERPIECE in my eyes. Off the top of my head and in no particular order my top ten Tony Martin era songs would have to be.
Also I can not wait for the Tony Martin era albums to finally get remastered and rereleased. I have all the original releases, but they need to be remastered big time. Hopefully all five albums get the Deluxe edition treatment with bonus live songs and unreleased songs.
I just love it when this era gets love. The thing about this era, at least for me, every album has a sort of different musical direction or idea. Eternal Idol kind of embodies everything that Sabbath did till then, their last record with WB/ Vertigo and is like an updated 70s Sabbath album. Tony’s playing has more speed. Born to lose what a solo it’s got! Then Headless is like a sort of Heaven and he’ll direction but darker. TYR is kind of power-metal ish. Again Tony is getting out of his comfort zone and playing some faster killer riffs. Great drumming. It’s so transportive, Odin’s court has these lovely bluesy fills. And with Cross Purposes with Geezer back it’s got a classic Sabbath vibe in parts but also interestingly Tony is now inspired by the people who he perhaps inspired, with songs like Psychophobia. And the live DVD is awesome, featuring the only full version of Sabbath Bloody Sabbath! Forbidden I am not a huge fan of but it has its moments with Kiss of death and I won’t cry for you. Didn’t like the production on that. Recently I did a Tony Martin Sabbath Vs Ozzy album wise at home. And I realised these Sabbath albums have aged really well. It’s like there was fine Scotch or Bourbon lying in the bar. But folks were hooked on bourbon cola mixes 😂. As someone said, I’ve been saying it for years since the heaven and hell live tours 2006-9 that they should do something under the Headless Cross banner. Iommi must be missing playing those tunes. Get both the Tonys Geezer and maybe Vinnie back together. I just love his drumming ( wish they’d toured with him instead of Brad or the other drummer RATM I guess, even though I bought 13, and the 2 live DVDs. That drumming was a let down IMHO)
Tony Martin, the only singer Black Sabbath ever had that could sing the Ozzy and Dio era as well as his own. Great singer! Maybe a little less confident as a front man but still I enjoyed seeing them with Tony very much.
Absolutely love Tony Martin's work with Black Sabbath. Excellent list, but there are so many to choose from. All respect to Ozzy, but Dio and Martin lifted Sabbath to a different place. I find myself listening to the Tony Martin albums a lot more though. I just wish you could still find them in print.
Been a huge Black Sabbath Legacy Fan for many years and always enjoyed all the top Singers officially involved in the band! Here's a "Tough As Hell To Pick 5 Top Tracks List" from all the Albums featuring Tony Martin as Vocalist:
I love this era of Black Sabbath. Finally, the Tony Martin era box set is being released May 31, 2024.
Great singer Tony Martin🎤🎸
Tony Martin era is all I listen to recently. They should get back together and tour under the name Headless Cross.
Eternal Idol (the song) and Virtual Death are tops in my book -- those are the ones that, to me, have that special Sabbath flavor.
Cross Of Thorns is my favourite Black Sabbath song.
Glad to see that there are other Black Sabbath fans that love the extremely underrated Tony Martin era. I love all five studio albums that Tony Martin did with Black Sabbath, especially The Eternal Idol, Headless Cross, and TYR. These albums in my opinion are just as amazing as Heaven And Hell, The Mob Rules, Paranoid, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath , and other Legendary Black Sabbath albums. One of my all time favorite Black Sabbath songs ever is When Death Calls. It is a MASTERPIECE in my eyes. Off the top of my head and in no particular order my top ten Tony Martin era songs would have to be.
My top 5: Eternal Idol, Headless Cross, Anno Mundi, Dying For Love, I Won't Cry For You
1. When Death Calls
Also I can not wait for the Tony Martin era albums to finally get remastered and rereleased. I have all the original releases, but they need to be remastered big time. Hopefully all five albums get the Deluxe edition treatment with bonus live songs and unreleased songs.
Agree with all your thoughts and good list!
I just love it when this era gets love. The thing about this era, at least for me, every album has a sort of different musical direction or idea. Eternal Idol kind of embodies everything that Sabbath did till then, their last record with WB/ Vertigo and is like an updated 70s Sabbath album. Tony’s playing has more speed. Born to lose what a solo it’s got! Then Headless is like a sort of Heaven and he’ll direction but darker. TYR is kind of power-metal ish. Again Tony is getting out of his comfort zone and playing some faster killer riffs. Great drumming. It’s so transportive, Odin’s court has these lovely bluesy fills. And with Cross Purposes with Geezer back it’s got a classic Sabbath vibe in parts but also interestingly Tony is now inspired by the people who he perhaps inspired, with songs like Psychophobia. And the live DVD is awesome, featuring the only full version of Sabbath Bloody Sabbath! Forbidden I am not a huge fan of but it has its moments with Kiss of death and I won’t cry for you. Didn’t like the production on that. Recently I did a Tony Martin Sabbath Vs Ozzy album wise at home. And I realised these Sabbath albums have aged really well. It’s like there was fine Scotch or Bourbon lying in the bar. But folks were hooked on bourbon cola mixes 😂. As someone said, I’ve been saying it for years since the heaven and hell live tours 2006-9 that they should do something under the Headless Cross banner. Iommi must be missing playing those tunes. Get both the Tonys Geezer and maybe Vinnie back together. I just love his drumming ( wish they’d toured with him instead of Brad or the other drummer RATM I guess, even though I bought 13, and the 2 live DVDs. That drumming was a let down IMHO)
Tony is very overlooked but the Sabbath albums with him on are just awesome, Headless Cross, Eternal Idol,and Tyr.🤘🎸⚡
Love all the TM era albums, also his albums with Dario Mollo & Giuntini Project are well worth checking out.
Tony Martin, the only singer Black Sabbath ever had that could sing the Ozzy and Dio era as well as his own. Great singer! Maybe a little less confident as a front man but still I enjoyed seeing them with Tony very much.
Great list, I love all of these songs and most everything from Headless Cross, TYR, and Cross Purposes.
Absolutely love Tony Martin's work with Black Sabbath. Excellent list, but there are so many to choose from. All respect to Ozzy, but Dio and Martin lifted Sabbath to a different place. I find myself listening to the Tony Martin albums a lot more though. I just wish you could still find them in print.
My personal top 5 from each album:
Been a huge Black Sabbath Legacy Fan for many years and always enjoyed all the top Singers officially involved in the band! Here's a "Tough As Hell To Pick 5 Top Tracks List" from all the Albums featuring Tony Martin as Vocalist:
Who's 'Ray Gillan'?! Ha ha ha...lovely stuff, matey! PT x
So hard to pick only 5, but....