I previewed a few of songs on iTunes. Sounds like they've just release a genuine Black Sabbath record, dry and to the point. Nothing groundbreaking but at first sight, a solid bunch of songs. I'm just not sure how much of the nods to the past I can take, as there are some very obvious references to specific songs. We'll see...
 
Wouldn't be the first time in recent years that Iommi and friends release a great collection of heavy numbers. Heaven and Hell's The Devil You Know was a very pleasant surprise, certainly one of my favorite albums of 2009.

I recently watched an episode of CSI (the original one based in Las Vegas) and the opening scene had Sabbath playing a song from the album.  A reporter talked with Ozzy afterwards and said that Ozzy was his first interview back in 1986.  Ozzy's said that he didn't remember to which the reporter asked "You don't remember me, or the interview?" and Ozzy replied "I don't remember 1986!"
 
Pretty funny.

LOL Good one.

 
Not yet, but I'll be getting it for sure. I've listened through most of it on Grooveshark and liked what they've come up with. I see some commentators have said that it's too 'retro', and trying too hard to sound like their very early stuff. What a load of tosh! It sounds to me like 'Sabbath'... period. I wonder what were they expecting it to sound like ffs
 
Good call on The Devil You Know Krist, that's a great album. And have you listened to Fused, the album Iommi did with Glenn Hughes? Some excellent riffage on that one for sure.
 
Incidentally, my favourite Sabbath album is Heaven & Hell. Not only is it a great selection of tunes (IMHO, Neon Knights is one of the finest metal tracks ever recorded), but I reckon Ronnie's singing on there is some of his best ever. Sadly missed, he left us far too soon.
 
 
 

LOVE Neon Knights!
 
(Or should that be Kneon Nights???)

 
I tried.
 
The 4th line of the 1st song pretty much covered it for me.
 
I think they have a genius for understanding what they do, but there's not enough going on to keep my attention. It's all so slow, formalized and seemingly predictable. Comfort food? It is certainly well produced and it sounds great on my laptop... it just doesn't tickle anything in my noggin.
 
I'm gonna have to listen to some Sun Ra to get back to normal.
 
:-)
 
all the best,
mike 
 

My other half got it on release day.  He's a big Ronnie fan.
 
Andy - "Once you get used to the monotonous droning of Ozzies voice it's not that bad actually..."
 
 
That'll be a thumbs up then

Interesting....  Ozzie and the boys were one of my early influences.... (Yeah I know, that's hard to believe ).... One of the first concerts I ever attended was Sabbath..... cost $3 to get in. I had all the early LP's,,,, learned the songs.... loved the group.

craigb
LOVE Neon Knights!
 
(Or should that be Kneon Nights???)

+1  on Neon Knights.  might be my favorite along with 'Children of the Sea'.
Unconventional but I think that is what I like about them.
On topic though, I heard one of the new songs yesterday on the drive home from work.
Had I not known it was new I would have thought it was old. Very retro sounding.
At first I was disappointed, then I thought, why not?
It's Sabbath and THIS is what they sounded like.
It was fun for what it was.
From what you guys are saying the album is in this vein then eh?
Ozzy can't freakin talk but he can still sing.  Wonder how many takes? ha
Master Of Reality was one of the first albums I ever purchased.
That should have been a sign to my Mom...
She did however buy me my 1st guitar shortly after that.  Thanks Mom.
Look at how much money you have cost me over the years.... 

Got to hear it a night or two ago (been too busy lately to realize what day it is).  I'm kind of taking it as an old album that I missed and I like that.  I'm not always a fan of groups I like staying up with the times, sometimes I just want more of what I liked in the first place.