Black Sabbath – Past Lives (Live) (2002): Album Review, Tracklist & Fun Facts
Released in May 2002, Past Lives is a live double album capturing Black Sabbath’s early performances from 1970–1975. Unlike Reunion, this album focuses on the original Ozzy Osbourne era, delivering raw, unfiltered energy from the band’s formative years.
Past Lives serves as both a historical document and a fan favorite, showcasing the origins of heavy metal with some of the heaviest, most primal performances of classic Sabbath material.
Album Overview
Past Lives includes recordings from venues like the Montreux Casino, Paris Olympia, and Birmingham College of Commerce, capturing Black Sabbath before studio polish altered their sound. Tony Iommi’s riffs are raw and crushing, Geezer Butler’s bass lines thunder, Bill Ward’s drumming drives the band relentlessly, and Ozzy Osbourne’s vocals are unrestrained and energetic.
The album is a must-listen for fans of early metal, providing insight into how Sabbath honed their sound before achieving global fame.
Tracklist – Black Sabbath: Past Lives (Live) (2002)
Disc 1
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War Pigs
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Behind the Wall of Sleep
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N.I.B.
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Fairies Wear Boots
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Snowblind
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Evil Woman
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Black Sabbath
Disc 2
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Iron Man
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Hand of Doom
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Paranoid
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Children of the Grave
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Into the Void
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Wicked World
Album Review
The album kicks off with “War Pigs,” a track brimming with raw energy and ominous riffs. “N.I.B.” and “Fairies Wear Boots” highlight the band’s signature groove and heavy blues roots, while “Black Sabbath” and “Into the Void” deliver early doom metal perfection.
Live staples like “Paranoid” and “Iron Man” are tight, yet unpolished, giving listeners a true feel of 1970s concert atmosphere. Past Lives is more than nostalgia—it’s a study in the evolution of heavy metal, capturing the intensity that defined Black Sabbath’s formative years.
Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know
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• Fun Fact: Past Lives contains performances from before the band had widespread studio fame, making it a rare historical snapshot.
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• Trivia: Some tracks were previously bootleg recordings, but this official release offers remastered sound while keeping the live rawness.
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• Did You Know? Black Sabbath and Iron Man on this album are faster and rougher than their studio counterparts.
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• Fun Fact: The album was produced to celebrate the band’s 30+ years of influence in heavy metal.
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• Did You Know? Fans praise this release for capturing Ozzy’s unfiltered early vocals, energetic and passionate in every track.
Cultural Legacy
Past Lives is a historical gem for Sabbath fans, providing a window into the raw power and creativity of the band’s early years. It highlights the foundations of doom metal and heavy metal while offering a visceral listening experience that studio albums cannot fully replicate.
This live album remains essential for collectors, historians, and anyone seeking the roots of heavy metal, proving the original lineup’s legendary stage presence.
Black Sabbath Full Discography
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