The Sabbath Stones cover

The Sabbath Stones

Black Sabbath · 1996

80 min · 16 tracks · hard rock · heavy metal · doom metal

A heavy, atmospheric journey through dark themes and powerful riffs, blending doom metal with traditional heavy rock.

Why this album works

The album was notable for its exploration of Norse mythology and dark themes, which resonated well with fans of the doom metal genre. It did not chart as high as earlier works but received positive reviews from critics, who praised its cohesive sound and lyrical depth, reinforcing Black Sabbath's enduring legacy in heavy metal.
Best for
dynamic journey with emotional peaks heavy atmosphere for deep listening dark themes with powerful riffs
Context
Released on April 29, 1996, 'The Sabbath Stones' is Black Sabbath's sixteenth studio album and showcases a lineup featuring Tony Iommi and Tony Martin. This period marked a resurgence in the band's creativity after years of fluctuating member changes and inconsistent releases, solidifying Martin's place as a key vocalist during this era.
Stylistic neighbors
Ozzy Osbourne· Queen· Aerosmith

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Headless Cross Standout 6:32
  • 2 When Death Calls Standout 6:57
  • 3 Devil & Daughter 4:43
  • 4 The Sabbath Stones 6:48
  • 5 The Battle of Tyr 1:08
  • 6 Odin's Court 2:42
  • 7 Valhalla Standout 4:41
  • 8 TV Crimes 4:01
  • 9 Virtual Death 5:46
  • 10 Evil Eye 5:57
  • 11 Kiss of Death 6:09
  • 12 Guilty as Hell 3:30
  • 13 Loser Gets It All 2:57
  • 14 Disturbing the Priest 5:49
  • 15 Heart Like a Wheel 6:37
  • 16 The Shining 5:55

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata