Eternal Idol - Song By Song

[Zzzptm]

Born to Lose kicks off side 2 and makes a great opening for my favorite side of my favorite Martin-era album. Great sound in the guitar solo. I'll be the second to say, "uptempo rocker" in describing the tune.

[Charger]

Born To Lose is a great track! A real nice uptempo rocker with a great riff.

But it is the production again that brings this down too with it's too thin sound.

But still surely one of the most enjoyable songs on the album!

[Zzzptm]

Born To Lose is a great track! A real nice uptempo rocker with a great riff.

But it is the production again that brings this down too with it's too thin sound.

But still surely one of the most enjoyable songs on the album!

This is why, when I ripped the album to MP3, I worked at upping the bass sound, and the tracks totally came into their own with that adjustment, especially Lost Forever.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Next up we Nightmare, the track which includes some remnants of Ray's original input with the laughing sounds.

It's a strange song... it starts with the tinkly sound which doesn't really seem to be a part of the song at all! The song itself starts slow and doomy, and then speeds up halfway in which is nice. I like the vocals on this one, the riff is good but there doesn't really seem to be much of a solo from Tony. I quite like the song even though it doesn't really stand out!

[Jack the Stripper]

A lot to like about Born To Lose. Fast and catchy with a good riff and vocal melody but the “chasing shadows in the dark” line that gets repeated throughout is lame as shit and brings the song down for me. I have little doubt Gillen came up with that line, came up with similar cheesy lyrics in Badlands.

[Jack the Stripper]

Moving onto Nightmare, this is actually one of my favourites tracks if not favourite track from the album. Good strong opening with a heavy groove that moves the song along nicely. Then Tony introduces a faster mid song riff over some sinister laughing that takes the song into an entirely new and aggressive direction. Love the chorus in this section, it’s memorable and catchy. The whole song is just very well put together and entertaining. It’s also the sort of song that suits Tony Martin’s style much better as he just doesn’t have the character in his voice to pull off the real doomy stuff.

[Charger]

Nightmare is another good track. Not quite up there with the Shining or the title track but still a great number.

The song builds up nicely and has some great guitar work from Iommi...vocal melody here is also on the better side, although again I believe had Tony been given the chance to re-do this one he could have elevated it to another level.

Again though the lack of punch on the production side is what brings this down.

This is why, when I ripped the album to MP3, I worked at upping the bass sound, and the tracks totally came into their own with that adjustment, especially Lost Forever.

Hmmm...that might actually be worth a test.

[Zzzptm]

Slow start to Nightmare, but when we get to 2 minutes in and Ray Gillen's laugh, we start speeding downhill on a mountain road. It's a simple set of chords that Iommi plays, but they set that emotional palette that gets the song just enough doom in the mix.

***

When I did the rip, I know I upped the bass levels and added just a small touch of room echo - just a touch - so I could get a nice "woooooommm" effect in the bass tones. I was careful with compression, only doing a dab of that, as well, to help bring the bass up in the mix.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Next up we have the instrumental Scarlet Pimpernel. This is quite possibly my favourite short accoustic song in the Sabbath catalogue. I might even go so far as to suggest it could do with being a little longer!

[Jack the Stripper]

I’ve always enjoyed Tony’s little acoustic pieces but Scarlet Pimpernel is one that’s never done anything for me. Probably my least favourite actually.

[Charger]

I never much though anything of Scarlet Pumpernickel but after listening to it couple of times yesterday I have to say I found myself enjoying it quite a bit...

So as it stands now I'd put it on second place right after Embryo and bit before Orchid. It's got a nice melody, it's not too long and it works as an independed tune as well not just an intro.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Last but one is Lost Forever. I had forgotten how fast this song is, it has a great riff and the vocals are spot on. A very good effort, one of the best on the album.

[Zzzptm]

LOST FOREVER!!!

 


One of my fave tracks by anyone, ever. Best on the album. Especially with more bass in it. As you can see, I'm quite enthusiastic about it...

[Jack the Stripper]

Lost Forever is a decent fast rocker. The riff reminds me of something of Born Again, both in style and sound. The vocal melody is ok, Gillen and Martin sound very alike in tone on this track. However there is something that holds it back from being an A league fast rocker in the Sabbath catalogue that I can’t quite put my finger on. Maybe it’s just a little too simplistic and not memorable enough or something. Would’ve liked Martin to sing with more grit on it also. Solo is good but doesn’t transition in and out as good as others on this album. Good song but not all that great or memorable.

[Charger]

Lost Forever has a great fast riff and a great vocal melody but again this is one of the songs that I wish Tony would have reworked the vocals again a bit. Could have used a bit heavier delivery. Honestly this is a song that would have suited Ronnie quite well I think. He would have added a nice heavier layer.

Lyrically this is bit closer to "classic" Sabbath as well.

Thin production and the overlong fade out bring this one down a bit, but surely a good track non the less.