Black Sabbath - Reunion (Live) (1998)

Black Sabbath - Reunion (Live) (1998)

Black Sabbath – Reunion (Live) (1998): Album Review, Tracklist & Fun Facts

Released in November 1998, Reunion is a live double album documenting Black Sabbath’s historic reunion with Ozzy Osbourne. This album celebrates the original lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—performing classic tracks after over a decade of lineup changes and solo projects.

Reunion is widely regarded as a definitive live record, showcasing Sabbath’s classic heavy metal power at its peak.

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Album Overview

Recorded at the Birmingham NEC Arena and the National Exhibition Centre, Reunion captures Sabbath in top form, mixing classic hits from the Ozzy era with material from Dio’s tenure. The production is clean yet powerful, highlighting Iommi’s crushing riffs, Geezer’s driving bass, Bill Ward’s thunderous drumming, and Ozzy’s unmistakable vocals.

The live performances demonstrate the timeless appeal of Black Sabbath, showing why the band remains an enduring influence on heavy metal.

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Tracklist – Black Sabbath: Reunion (Live) (1998)

Disc 1

1. Hole in the Sky

2. War Pigs

3. Fairies Wear Boots

4. Symptom of the Universe

5. Snowblind

6. Supernaut

7. Dirty Women

8. Black Sabbath

Disc 2

1. Iron Man

2. Children of the Grave

3. Paranoid

4. Heaven and Hell

5. Neon Knights

6. Mob Rules

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Album Review

The album opens with “Hole in the Sky,” immediately showcasing Ozzy’s commanding stage presence and the band’s tight performance. Classic tracks like “War Pigs” and “Iron Man” resonate with epic heaviness and energy, proving that Sabbath had lost none of their power.

“Heaven and Hell” and “Neon Knights” highlight the Dio-era material performed with Ozzy-era intensity, while “Paranoid” delivers an explosive, crowd-pleasing finale. The dual-disc format ensures the band’s complete spectrum is represented, from early doom to later melodic metal.

Reunion is not just a nostalgia trip—it is a living testament to Sabbath’s influence and longevity.

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Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know

• • Fun Fact: Reunion marked the first official live recording of the original lineup in 17 years.

• • Trivia: The album includes Dio-era tracks performed by Ozzy, creating a unique live reinterpretation.

• • Did You Know? Bill Ward returned to the drum kit for the reunion, delivering some of the most energetic performances of his career.

• • Fun Fact: The album was accompanied by the “Ozzfest” tour, reigniting interest in Black Sabbath worldwide.

• • Did You Know? Reunion reached #11 on the UK Albums Chart and #42 on the US Billboard 200, proving the band’s enduring popularity.

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Cultural Legacy

Reunion is considered a landmark live album, capturing the classic Black Sabbath lineup at its prime. It serves as both a celebration of their history and a reminder of the band’s impact on heavy metal, inspiring generations of metal musicians and fans alike.

Today, it is often regarded as the definitive live Ozzy-era Sabbath recording, essential for both diehard fans and newcomers discovering the roots of heavy metal.

Black Sabbath Full Discography

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