Deep Cuts: Tony Iommi with Billy Corgan- Black Oblivion

Tony Iommi is the riff master. That’s undeniable. Back in 2000 (There’s that damn year again), Tony released his first “solo” album featuring many guest vocalists like Phil Anselmo, Dave Grohl, Henry Rollins, Peter Steele, Ozzy, Billy Idol, Billy Corgan and a few others. There were a couple songs on the album that always stood out to me, the one with Phil and the one with Billy Corgan. The latter of which “Black Oblivion” is one of the coolest songs on the record and it’s pretty epic too. It’s also interesting to note too that, Billy and Tony wrote two songs for the album but, only one was picked. I know I’d be very interested to hear the other one.

Tony Iommi w/Billy Corgan- Black Oblivion:

 

Title Tracks: Black Sabbath

We all know that Black Sabbath are pioneers of heavy music. They are also one of the best at title track songs. Through their catalog, you can really pick up “that vibe” from these songs. That “vibe” I’m referring to is the feeling that captures the essence of the album. Over the years, Black Sabbath’s title tracks have not only made a statement but, also, left a mark on music in general.

Ozzy Era:

Black Sabbath:

 

 

Paranoid:

 

 

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath:

 

 

Never Say Die:

 

 

The Dio Era:

Heaven and Hell:

 

Mob Rules:

 

 

Ian Gillan Era:

Born Again:

 

Guest Vocalist: Ozzy Osbourne

The other day Ozzy celebrated his 70th birthday. Funny enough, while I was on my way home that day, I had my iPod on random and the Rob Zombie song “Iron Head” came on and there was Ozzy singing on it. I had totally forgotten about Ozzy guesting on that song, so of course when I got home I looked up all the songs he’s guested on over the years. So, here’s a bunch of those songs.

 

Rob Zombie- Iron Head (from The Sinister Urge):

 

 
Black Label Society- Stillborn (from The Blessed Hellride):

 

 

 

Coal Chamber- Shock The Monkey (from Chamber Music):

 

 
Slash- Crucify The Dead (from Slash):

 

 

Tony Iommi- Who’s Fooling Who (from Iommi):

 

 
Alice Cooper- Wake The Dead (from Along Came A Spider):

 

 
Ringo Starr- Vertical Man (from Vertical Man):

 

 
Busta Rhymes- This Means War (from E.L.E.- The Final World Front):

 

Album Rank: Black Sabbath (Ozzy Era)

The first six Black Sabbath albums are highly regarded in the rock and metal circles. I personally think the first four are the ones that should be the ones that are highly touted. The other two contain quite a lot of filler. That’s just my opinion though. So, with all this in mind here are the Ozzy era Black Sabbath albums ranked from not their best to the best.

9) Technical Ecstasy:

8) Never Say Die:

7) 13:

6) Sabotage:

5) Sabbath Bloody Sabbath:

4) Volume 4:

3) Master Of Reality:

2) Black Sabbath:

1) Paranoid:

Guest Musician: Dave Grohl

Dave Grohl is one of the busiest and most collaborative musicians that have come around in a long time. I’ve been wanting to do a Guest Musician post about Dave for some time, and now seems like the great time to do it. Here are a slew of the songs Dave has guested on over the years.

 
Tony Iommi Solo Album- Goodbye Lament (Vocals/Drums):

 

David Bowie- I’ve Been Waiting For You (Guitar):

 

Pete Yorn- For Us (Drums):

 

Garbage- Bad Boyfriend (Drums):

 

Slash Solo Album- Watch This (Drums):

 

The Prodigy- Run With The Wolves (Drums):

 

Nine Inch Nails- Getting Smaller (Drums):

 

Nine Inch Nails- The Collector (Drums):

 

Nine Inch Nails- Sunspots (Drums):

 

Nine Inch Nails- The Line Begins To Blur (Drums):

 

Nine Inch Nails- Every Day Is Exactly The Same (Drums):

 

Albums Played On:

Queens Of The Stone Age- Songs For The Deaf, Like Clockwork
Tenacious D- Self Titled, The Pick Of Destiny, Rize Of The Fenix
Juliette And The Licks- Four On The Floor
Killing Joke- Self Titled

And so many more…

 

 

Guest Vocalist: Ian Astbury of The Cult

Way back when I was a little lad I remember seeing the video for The Cult’s “Fire Woman” and thinking that the guy singing was outstanding. So naturally I had my parents take me to go buy their album Sonic Temple. Over the years I’ve really noticed I love Ian Astbury’s voice. In the past few years The Cult has come back and are delivering the goods. Their last two albums, Choice Of Weapon and Hidden City are fantastic, and have that classic edge the band has always had. Ian’s voice has always been distinct and when you hear it on other band’s songs, it brings something special out of those songs. Here are a few songs that Ian has guested on over the years.

 

Tony Iommi w/ Ian Astbury- Flame On:

 

Slash w/ Ian Astbury- Ghost:

 

Circus Of Power- Shine:

 

Boris-Teeth and Claws:

Guest Vocalist: Henry Rollins

Henry Rollins is one of the most influential punk rock singers ever. His work with Black Flag is legendary and his own band Rollins Band is tremendous especially the album Weight. I was thinking I know Henry has guested on a bunch of songs over the years so why not share that with you all.

Tool- Bottom:

Tony Iommi- Laughing Man In A Devil Mask:

Iggy Pop- Wild America:

William Shatner- I Can’t Get Behind That:

Misfits- We Are 138:

Guest Vocalist/Guitarist: Billy Corgan

Since The Smashing Pumpkins released their great new album Monuments To An Elegy late last year I’ve been on a huge Pumpkins kick. While on this journey I’ve looked into all the songs that Billy Corgan has been apart of with other bands, whether it’s co-writing, lending his vocals and guitar talents to. Here are a few of the songs that I found interesting that he guested on in someway.

Marilyn Manson- Speed Of Pain:

Tony Iommi- Black Oblivion:

Blindside- Hooray, It’s LA (Guest Guitar):

New Order- Turn My Way:

Glen Campbell- There’s No Me…Without You:

Guest Vocalist: Serj Tankian of System Of A Down

Serj has one of the more distinctive voices in heavy music. He also has a knack for creative melodies that resonate really well with different songs and types of music. Here are a select few songs that Serj has guested on over the years. Some you may have heard and others not so much.

Strait Up- Starlit Eyes (Snot Tribute)

Tony Iommi- Patterns (Iommi)

Deftones- Mein (Saturday Night Wrist)

Dog Fashion Disco- Mushroom Cult (Anarchists Of Good Taste)

Hed P.E.- Feel Good (Broke)

Limp Bizkit- Don’t Go Off Wandering (Demo- Unreleased)

By: Brian Lacy

You Might Have Missed: Iommi

 

Finally in 2000 after nearly 5 years in the making, Tony Iommi released the be all end all of solo albums featuring guest vocalists. All of the songs on the album were written by Tony Iommi, producer Bob Marlette and each of the vocalists that appear on the songs.The album features Phil Anselmo, Dave Grohl, Henry Rollins, Billy Corgan, Serj Tankian, Billy Idol, Ian Astbury, Peter Steele, Skin, and Ozzy. According to Tony Iommi, he and Phil Anselmo had recorded three tracks together for the album, but only one was put onto the album. Phil had later on said that there was a chance that they might have done a full album had time permitted amongst other things. The album peaked at number 129 on the Billboard charts and its only single released, “Goodbye Lament” featuring Dave Grohl reached number 10 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. This album is quite a remarkable album, as it shows what Tony Iommi’s playing sounds like with different types of singers. Slash tried to do something similar with his first “solo” album, but to me he failed miserably mainly because he is overrated and picked the wrong people to have on his album. Tony Iommi is a true legend and master of his craft, and this album is a testament to his legacy

 

Iommi- Album:

 

Tony Iommi and Phil Anselmo- Invasion Of The Saviours:

 

By: Brian Lacy