Born Again
Black Sabbath · 1983
41 min · 9 tracks · hard rock
A chaotic fusion of heavy metal and experimental sounds, marked by a raw intensity that reflects the band's turbulent era.
Top tracks — play these first
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Trashed Start here — Opening with a high-energy riff and chaotic lyrics about intoxication, this track sets the frenetic tone for the album while showcasing Gillan's powerful vocals.
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Zero the Hero — With its driving rhythm and intricate guitar work, this song exemplifies the album's blend of heaviness and complexity, earning recognition as one of its standout tracks.
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Born Again — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of rebirth and existential dread, featuring sultry guitar solos that highlight both despair and hope.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases a mix of heavy riffs and dynamic shifts but lacks overall cohesion and polish.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track, 'Trashed', followed by a significant tempo drop in 'Stonehenge', which features spoken word elements.
- Several tracks, like 'Disturbing the Priest' and 'Zero the Hero', incorporate abrupt shifts in dynamics, alternating between heavy riffs and quieter sections.
- The closing track, 'Keep It Warm', features a slower tempo and a more melodic approach, contrasting with the aggressive sound of earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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5/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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4/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with peaks
- chaotic energy and heavy riffs
- intense moments of dark themes
- short tracks for quick bursts
Maybe skip if you
- prefer smooth, consistent pacing
- seek straightforward, catchy tunes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Represents a departure in sound with a new vocalist and mixed reviews.
- Themes
- excessive hedonism· chaotic energy· brooding darkness
- Career context
- Released on August 7, 1983, 'Born Again' was Black Sabbath's first album featuring vocalist Ian Gillan after the departure of Ronnie James Dio. This album came during a challenging period for the band, as they sought to reinvent their sound while grappling with lineup changes and shifting public perceptions of heavy metal.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Candlemass· Electric Wizard· Pentagram
Tracklist
- 1 Trashed Start here 4:16
- 2 Stonehenge 1:58
- 3 Disturbing the Priest 5:49
- 4 The Dark 0:45
- 5 Zero the Hero 7:35
- 6 Digital Bitch 3:39
- 7 Born Again 6:34
- 8 Hot Line 4:52
- 9 Keep It Warm 5:35
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Made in Japan
Deep Purple
Shares chaotic energy and heavy riffs, showcasing a similar blend of hard rock and dark themes.
Screaming for Vengeance
Judas Priest
Features potent riffs and a raw energy, aligning with the darker, hedonistic themes of 'Born Again'.
Overkill
Motörhead
Embodies the chaotic spirit and heavy sound, merging punk energy with metal's darker motifs.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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