Released 28 years ago this October
Reunion
Black Sabbath · 1998
108 min · 18 tracks · hard rock
A thunderous return of heavy riffs and haunting melodies, resurrecting the raw power of classic doom metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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War Pigs Start here — This track embodies the band's anti-war message with its epic structure and powerful instrumentation, remaining one of their signature songs that defines heavy metal's lyrical depth.
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N.I.B. — A fan favorite, this performance highlights the band's unique blend of melodic bass lines and dark themes, showcasing their ability to balance heaviness with musical sophistication.
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Paranoid — As one of Black Sabbath’s most recognizable songs, its inclusion demonstrates the band's impact on rock music and resonates with audiences through its relatable themes and infectious riffs.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album revitalizes classic hits while introducing new material, showcasing their enduring sound.
What we noticed
- The live recordings capture the raw energy of the performances, with crowd interactions enhancing the atmosphere throughout.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- 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 progression with peaks
- thunderous riffs for intense moments
- dark storytelling in every track
- wave-like pacing for engagement
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marked the band's successful return with the original lineup, reviving their reputation.
- Themes
- war-time critique· heavy metal resurgence· dark storytelling
- Career context
- Released in 1998, 'Reunion' marked Black Sabbath's first live album after the original lineup reunited for a highly publicized tour. This period followed their artistic decline in the late 1980s, showcasing their enduring legacy as pioneers of heavy metal and re-establishing their influence on the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Candlemass· Electric Wizard· Pentagram
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 War Pigs Start here 8:32
- 2 Behind the Wall of Sleep 4:10
- 3 N.I.B. 6:48
- 4 Fairies Wear Boots 6:23
- 5 Electric Funeral 5:05
- 6 Sweet Leaf 5:11
- 7 Spiral Architect 5:44
- 8 Into the Void 6:35
- 9 Snowblind 6:07
Disc 2
- 1 Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 4:40
- 2 Orchid / Lord of This World 7:11
- 3 Dirty Women 6:33
- 4 Black Sabbath 7:33
- 5 Iron Man 8:24
- 6 Children of the Grave 6:34
- 7 Paranoid 4:31
- 8 Psycho Man 5:21
- 9 Selling My Soul 3:09
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Painkiller
Judas Priest
Shares the same thunderous riffs and dark themes of redemption and struggle in a heavy metal context.
Load
Metallica
Explores similar themes of personal turmoil and societal critique with a blend of heavy riffs and melodic elements.
Brave New World
Iron Maiden
Combines metal sound with intricate storytelling, reflecting on darker aspects of humanity.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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