Past Lives cover

Past Lives

Black Sabbath · 2002

117 min · 18 tracks · hard rock · heavy metal · doom metal

A raw, heavy collection of classic tracks that encapsulates Black Sabbath's defining sound and dark lyrical themes.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic progression with peaks
  • heavy riffs for headbanging
  • late-night cathartic release
  • wave-like pacing for immersion
  • dark themes for introspection

Maybe skip if you want

  • seekers of instant gratification
  • prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

Themes
political unrest· youth rebellion· heavy metal legacy
Career context
Released in 2002, 'Past Lives' marks a significant moment for Black Sabbath as it is a live compilation featuring tracks from their early years. This album comes after the band's reunion period and subsequent tours, showcasing timeless classics performed with a renewed vigor. It serves as a reminder of their influence in the heavy metal genre during a time when they were re-establishing themselves.
Stylistic neighbors
Candlemass· Electric Wizard· Pentagram
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Unleashed in the East by Judas Priest — Captures a similar raw energy and heavy metal sound with themes of rebellion.
Overkill by Motörhead — Shares the same aggressive attitude and heavy riffs, embodying a spirit of youthful defiance.
Live After Death by Iron Maiden — Features live tracks that resonate with dark themes and a powerful metal legacy akin to Sabbath's.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Tomorrow’s Dream 3:04
  • 2 Sweet Leaf 5:26
  • 3 Killing Yourself to Live 5:29
  • 4 Cornucopia 3:57
  • 5 Snowblind 4:47
  • 6 Children of the Grave 4:33
  • 7 War Pigs 7:36
  • 8 Wicked World 18:55
  • 9 Paranoid 3:14

Disc 2

  • 1 Hand of Doom 8:26
  • 2 Hole in the Sky 4:46
  • 3 Symptom of the Universe 4:52
  • 4 Megalomania 9:53
  • 5 Iron Man 6:25
  • 6 Black Sabbath 8:23
  • 7 N.I.B. 5:32
  • 8 Behind the Wall of Sleep 5:03
  • 9 Fairies Wear Boots 6:39

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata