Reunited and it feels so good
No, I'm not going to write about the Peaches and Herb AM radio hit. Of course, this is about the dark and fabulous four. The band had two false starts in fulfilling the fans dream of the original Black Sabbath reforming. Back in 1985, a three-song jam took place at the Live Aid benefit concert. At JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Chevy Chase announced them, then blasted through the classics Children Of The Grave, Iron Man, and Paranoid. Then in 1992, at the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa, they had another one. Performing Black Sabbath, Fairies Wear Boots, Iron Man, and Paranoid. In the summer of 1997, Sharon Osbourne was arranging the bands for the Ozzfest. The idea of a reform was bounced around, leading to a phone call to Iommi's and Butler's management. With a simple yes or no to the question 'Reform Black Sabbath'. With that simple yes, plans were made. For reasons not clear to this day, Bill Ward wasn't asked. Bill has said he found out about the idea but was told his services weren't needed. So Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Ozzy Osbourne officially reunited to headline the Ozzfest. A simple hour-long set of the classics following a tour of Ozzy's solo band. Ozzy's drummer, Mike Bordin, filled the drummer's stool. After the Ozzfest went smoothly, further plans were set into motion. (To me, Ozzfest '97 was a steppingstone to the 'real' reunion.)
Here is a documentary on this album:
N.E.See The Band
December 4th and 5th Bill Ward gets his due justice as they play the home team field. Birmingham NEC was filled with eager fans as a set of the mainstream staples along with rare surprises. Claimed by a huge majority of fans and the band itself as the peak Sabbath performance. These concerts were pro recorded and filmed. Released as a two-disc set correctly titled as Reunion. Reaching 55 on the Billboard top 200 chart. Passing platinum sales in the USA alone. Next comes the VHS/DVD The Last Supper to the stores. Contains some of the footage from both of the NEC shows. As well as other shows from that tour. Produced and directed by Jeb Brien. Also, the director of the Ozzy release Don't Blame Me. The songs are intercut with interviews with the band. (I believe all fans including myself would have preferred the concert part be one piece and have the interviews as a special feature. Or at least not cut a song into two parts. For some unknown reason a selection of the rarer songs was not included in the film. Behind The Wall Of Sleep, Spiral Architect, Orchid, Lord Of This World and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. However, After Forever was not performed at the NEC shows. So, it's footage comes from a different show. There was also a short EPK program made to promote the release. It appeared on the DVD but not on the VHS. However, it did get released on its own VHS to record stores and such. To play on their preview screens. (Editor's note, Remember the days where you'd go into your favorite record store. And all those TVs would be playing videos of upcoming releases. And you'd just hang out talking with friends, employees and other music searchers. Yea I was that guy, don't the rest of you be afraid to admit it). Reunion the 2-CD live album comes out on October 20th, 1998. This live album was compiled from the two NEC concerts. And as a feature contains two new studio tracks. Selling My Soul and Psycho Man. Simply while mixing the live album the band was asked if they would consider recording some new songs to but on the album. Reunion reached number 11 on the Billboard top 200. Needless to say, the highest position for the band in years. And went platinum in the US alone. The album single of Iron Man did the impossible for the band. Won its first and only Grammy award in 2000 for Best Metal Performance. Metal Edge magazine polled numerous musicians and asked what their favorite album of 1998 was. And most of them had Reunion in their list.