Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iomma and Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath photographed with gold discs in 1973.
© Michael Putland / Retna UK.
Credit all uses
To continue celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Fathers of Heavy Metal Black Sabbath, the band has announced the release of the Super Deluxe Edition of their classic Volume 4 album (Mercury/Vertigo).It includes the newly remastered original album, plus 20 previously unreleased studio and live recordings. It will be available on 4-CD And 5-LP formats through BMG on February 12th 2021.
Pre- order link here: https://blacksabbathband.lnk.to/Vol4PR
Press Shot 1, credit will need to be: Photo Duffy © Duffy Archive (band wearing black, arms round each other)
Press Shot 2, credit will need to be: Avalon.Red (the pic with the presentation discs)
Bolstered by a fresh remastering, Vol 4’s ambitious arrangements and complex grooves have never sounded more inspired and menacing. Originally released in September 1972, the album marked two major changes for the members of Sabbath: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. While their previous albums – Black Sabbath, Paranoid, and Master of Reality – were produced by Rodger Bain and recorded in England, they instead chose to produce Vol 4 themselves and record it at the Record Plant in Los Angeles.
The generous addition of bonus material on VOL 4: SUPER DELUXE EDITION begins with six previously unreleased studio outtakes from the original sessions for the album. Each one has been newly mixed by Steven Wilson using the analog multi-tracks. Highlights include outtakes for “Supernaut” and “Changes,” as well an instrumental version of “Under The Sun.”
The set also features 11 additional studio recordings (also newly mixed by Wilson from the analog multi-tracks) that spotlight alternative takes, false starts and snippets of studio dialogue. These tracks transport listeners into the studio with the band and offer some insight into the making of the album. Along with several alternative takes for “Wheels Of Confusion,” these recordings also include outtakes for “The Straightener” and “Snowblind.”
The collection concludes with a searing collection of live performances that re-create a typical setlist from Black Sabbath’s tour for Vol 4. Recorded in March 1973 at various stops along the band’s U.K. tour. The recordings were originally slated for a live album that was ultimately shelved. Although some of these performances have been previously available in various states, the release marks the first time that a full 1973 live Sabbath show has been recreated. The live audio has been newly mixed by Richard Digby Smith using the original 16-track analog tapes to achieve a level of fidelity not heard on any previous incarnations. Included here are thrilling live versions of Vol 4 tracks (“Tomorrow’s Dream” and “Cornucopia”) and fan favorites (“Paranoid” and “War Pigs.”)
VOL 4: SUPER DELUXE EDITION
CD Track Listing
Disc One: Original Album Remastered
- “Wheels Of Confusion / The Straightener”
- “Tomorrow’s Dream”
- “Changes”
- “FX”
- “Supernaut”
- “Snowblind”
- “Cornucopia”
- “Laguna Sunrise”
- “St. Vitus Dance”
- “Under The Sun / Every Day Comes And Goes”
Disc Two: Outtakes – New Mixes
- “Wheels Of Confusion / The Straightener” *
- “Changes” *
- “Supernaut” *
- “Snowblind” *
- “Laguna Sunrise” *
- “Under The Sun” (Instrumental) *
Disc Three: Alternative Takes, False Starts & Studio Dialogue
- “Wheels Of Confusion” (False Start with Studio Dialogue) *
- “Wheels Of Confusion” (Alternative Take 1) *
- “Wheels Of Confusion” (Alternative Take 2) *
- “Wheels Of Confusion” (Alternative Take 3) *
- “Wheels Of Confusion” (Alternative Take 4) *
- “The Straightener” (Outtake) *
- “Supernaut” (Outtake) *
- “Supernaut” (Alternative Takes with False Starts) *
- “Snowblind” (Alternative Take 1 – Incomplete) *
- “Under The Sun” (False Start with Studio Dialogue) *
- “Under The Sun” (Alternative Take with Guide Vocal) *
Disc Four: Live In The UK 1973
- “Tomorrow’s Dream” *
- “Sweet Leaf” *
- “War Pigs”
- “Snowblind” *
- “Killing Yourself To Live”
- “Cornucopia”
- “Wicked World” (Includes Excerpts of:)
- Guitar Solo
- “Orchid”
iii. “Into The Void”
- “Sometimes I’m Happy”
- “Supernaut” / Drum Solo
- “Wicked World” (Reprise)
- “Embryo”
- “Children Of The Grave”
- “Paranoid”
LP Track Listing
LP One: Original Album Remastered
Side One
- “Wheels Of Confusion / The Straightener”
- “Tomorrow’s Dream”
- “Changes”
- “FX”
- “Supernaut”
Side Two
- “Snowblind”
- “Cornucopia”
- “Laguna Sunrise”
- “St. Vitus Dance”
- “Under The Sun / Every Day Comes And Goes”
LP Two: Outtakes – New Mixes
Side Three
- “Wheels Of Confusion / The Straightener” *
- “Changes” *
- “Supernaut” *
- “Snowblind” *
Side Four
- “Laguna Sunrise” *
- “Under The Sun” (Instrumental) *
Alternative Takes, False Starts & Studio Dialogue
- “Wheels Of Confusion” (False Start with Studio Dialogue) *
- “Wheels Of Confusion” (Alternative Take 1) *
- “Wheels Of Confusion” (Alternative Take 2) *
- “Wheels Of Confusion” (Alternative Take 3) *
LP Three: Alternative Takes, False Starts & Studio Dialogue
Side Five
- “Wheels Of Confusion” (Alternative Take 4) *
- “The Straightener” (Outtake) *
- “Snowblind” (Alternative Take 1 – Incomplete) *
- “Supernaut” (Outtake) *
Side Six
- “Supernaut” (Alternative Takes with False Starts) *
- “Under The Sun” (False Start with Studio Dialogue) *
- “Under The Sun” (Alternative Take with Guide Vocal) *
LP Four: Live in the UK 1973
Side Seven
- “Tomorrow’s Dream” *
- “Sweet Leaf” *
- “War Pigs”
Side Eight
- “Snowblind” *
- “Killing Yourself To Live”
- “Cornucopia”
LP Five: Live in the UK 1973
Side Nine
- “Wicked World” (Includes Excerpts of:)
- Guitar Solo
- “Orchid”
iii. “Into The Void”
- “Sometimes I’m Happy”
Side Ten
- “Supernaut” / Drum Solo
- “Wicked World” (Reprise)
- “Embryo”
- “Children Of The Grave”
- “Paranoid”
* previously unreleased