The Eternal Idol
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| The Eternal Idol | |||||
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| Studio album by Black Sabbath | |||||
| Released | November 1, 1987  December 8, 1987  |
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| Recorded | 1986-1987 | ||||
| Genre | Heavy metal | ||||
| Length | 42:42 | ||||
| Label | Vertigo Warner Bros. (US/Canada) |
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| Producer | Jeff Glixman, Vic Coppersmith-Heaven, Chris Tsangarides | ||||
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| Black Sabbath chronology | |||||
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The Eternal Idol is the thirteenth studio album by Black Sabbath, released in 1987. It is the first of several Black Sabbath albums to feature longtime vocalist Tony Martin.
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[edit] Album information
The album was originally to be recorded with vocalist Ray Gillen, who quit the band shortly after the initial sessions on Montserrat with producer Jeff Glixman. Martin was hired and reconstructed the vocals shortly before production ended. Most tracks were written by Tony Iommi and bassist/lyricist Bob Daisley, although some lyrics were subsequently modified by Geoff Nicholls and Tony Martin after he joined the band.
The album cover was intended to feature a picture of an Auguste Rodin sculpture from 1889 also called "The Eternal Idol." However, the album cover actually features two naked models covered in paint and positioned to resemble the piece of art because, legend has it, permission to photograph the actual sculpture could not be secured.
Despite the sleeve credits all bass parts were completed by Bob Daisley, and Eric Singer completed all drum parts. The percussion credit to Bev Bevan relates to a few cymbal overdubs on "Scarlet Pimpernel".
[edit] Track listing
[edit] Side one
- "The Shining" – 5:59
- "Ancient Warrior" – 5:28
- "Hard Life to Love" – 5:00
- "Glory Ride" – 4:49
[edit] Side two
- "Born to Lose" – 3:43
- "Nightmare" – 5:19
- "Scarlet Pimpernel" – 2:05
- "Lost Forever" – 4:03
- "Eternal Idol" – 6:33
The album credit states 'All songs written by Tony Iommi' but the lyrics were not his, having been written in the main by Daisley, with some contributions from Nicholls. However, this apparent omission in the credits was known to Daisley, having been part of the agreement.
[edit] Credits
- Tony Martin - vocals
- Tony Iommi - guitars
- Geoff Nicholls – keyboard
- Dave Spitz - bass guitar (credited, but does not actually appear on the album)
- Bob Daisley - bass guitar
- Eric Singer - drums
- Bev Bevan - percussion (cymbal overdubs on "Scarlet Pimpernel" and "Eternal Idol")
[edit] Release history
| Region | Date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | November 1987 | Vertigo Records |
| United States | December 8, 1987 | Warner Bros. Records |
| Canada | 1987 | Warner Bros. Records |
| United Kingdom | April 1996 | Castle Communications |
| United Kingdom | October 25, 2004 | Sanctuary Records |
