The Eternal Idol

Infobox Album | Name = The Eternal Idol
Type = Album
Artist = Black Sabbath


Released = November 1, 1987 flagicon|UK
December 8, 1987 flagicon|US
Recorded = 1986-1987
Genre = Heavy metal
Length = 42:42
Label = Vertigo
Warner Bros. (US/Canada)
Producer = Jeff Glixman, Vic Coppersmith-Heaven, Chris Tsangarides
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:qi6xlffe5cqq link]
Last album = "Seventh Star"
(1986)
This album = "The Eternal Idol"
(1987)
Next album = "Headless Cross"
(1989)

"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.

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".

Track listing

ide one

#"The Shining" – 5:59
#"Ancient Warrior" – 5:28
#"Hard Life to Love" – 5:00
#"Glory Ride" – 4:49

ide 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.

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")

Release history

External links

* [http://www.black-sabbath.com/discog/eternalidol.html Eternal Idol at Black Sabbath Online]
* [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/_/id/322607 Sample tracks at Rolling Stone]