Black Sabbath/Ozzy Fest 1997-1998 & more

It's real, but it's a little different. Such a rare and exquisite live work is now available. There are 3 shows included in this work. All of them are like the original SABBATH, and there are plenty of performances that feel strange. It's a 4-disc set full of fun, just like SABBATH's version of "SPEAK OF THE DEVIL." The cause of this discomfort (?) is the drummer. Original drummer: Bill Ward participated in the 90's reunion BLACK SABBATH, but not all performances. Due to business reasons and Bill's own health, three pinch-hitter drummers were used: Mike Bordin, Shannon Larkin, and Vinnie Appice. ...Oh, don't belittle him and say, "What kind of drummer are you?" This work is in the early stages of the reunion era, and Ozzy / Iommi / Geezer are youthful and fully motivated, and there are grooves, beats, and silly things that are completely different from Bill. Even though the song and the show are original SABBATH, they are completely different. The more you're an enthusiast who has listened to the original SABBATH, the more you'll find it fresh, and the more you'll hear the real Sabbath masterpieces, the more you'll hear things like, "It's surprisingly interesting!" and the more you'll say, "Hey, there's nothing like this (lol)." go. This work is a maniac but high quality live set that combines the best live recordings of these three people into one. Before we get into the details, let's first understand the basics. Let's follow the flow from Ozzy Reunion in 1997 to HEAVEN & HELL to see when the three drummers joined. ●1997: Reunion with Mike Bourdain appointed ・May 24th - June 30th: North America #1 (23 performances) ←★Disc 1★《Replaced by Shannon Larkin》・July 1st: Columbus performance ← ★Disc 2★《Bill Ward participation》・December 4th + 5th; Birmingham *Official “REUNION” ●1998: Bill leaves → Vinnie Appice appointed ・June 3rd-30th: Europe #1 (13 performances) )←★Disc 3-4★《Bill Complete Return》・December 31st: Phoenix performance ●1999: North America #2 + Europe #2 (71 performances) ●2001: UK + North America #3 (33 performances) ●2004 Year: North America #4 (25 performances) ●2005: Europe #3 + North America #5 (37 performances) 《2006: Start of HEAVEN & HELL》 This is the 10 years from 1997 to 2006. Initially, a reunion was planned as the highlight of “OZZFEST ‘97”. Initially, Mike Bordin of Ozzy Band was appointed without asking Bill. That is "North America #1". However, the final day was a make-up performance, so Bourdain was unable to attend, and UGLY KID JOE's Shannon Larkin served as a pinch hitter. After that, Bill returned and produced "REUNION", but during rehearsals for the following "OZZFEST '98", Bill suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized. "Europe #1" was hurriedly appointed with Vinnie Appice (by the way, Ronnie was furious with Vinnie after receiving this offer, and he was expelled from DIO). After that, Bill recovered at the end of 1998 and served as the drummer until the formation of HEAVEN & HELL. [Disc 1: 1997 Minneapolis Performance (M. Bourdain)] The first thing that appears is the audience recording of the "June 22, 1997 Minneapolis Performance" which is the highest peak of "OZZFEST '97" in which Mike Bourdain participated. . This master is truly the best. Actually, this is a recording that only recently appeared, and I was surprised by the high quality sound as soon as it appeared. Although it is not attracting general collectors because it is a maniac period, it has become a hot topic among the core group as "No. 1 of 1997!!" In fact, this quality is extraordinary. In the Bourdain era, there was no sound board, and the audience was at a very high level, but this also serves as a substitute for a sound board. It's an amazing masterpiece with an on-and-direct closeness that feels like it was recorded in 2018. Bourdain's version of Sabbath drawn with that sound is really interesting. As a former member of FAITH NO MORE, his skills are excellent, and his grooves are a bit bouncy. However, since he had been touring with Ozzy Band since April 1996 of the previous year, there was minimal discomfort. There's an extra snare hit at the beginning of "War Pigs," and the texture of "Fairies Wear Boots" is simple, but it has a "very energetic Ozzy SABBATH" feel that is similar to later Tommy Klufetos. is. [Disc 2: 1997 Columbus performance (S. Larkin)] Next is the most interesting Shannon Larkin. This is also “OZZFEST ‘97”, but it is the best audience recording of the last day “July 1, 1997 Columbus Performance”. This recording is not only rare, but also sounds great. Although it is half a step short of the new champion's Disc 1, it is a classic recording that has been competing for 1st and 2nd place on tours for a long time. Even more than that sound is Larkin's drumming. I guess I shouldn't expect much from a pinch hitter who only plays for one performance, but I feel like I'm going to give up because it feels so weird (lol). Although "War Pigs" does not include a snare like Bourdain's, the phrases in the detailed parts are completely different. In the second half, perhaps to suit him, even Iommi was simplified. In addition, the close-up part of "Black Sabbath" has a March-like feel (he's the only one in history!), and the ending of "Faries Wear Boots" is strangely bland... Still, it's interesting because it's not a hug. “I can’t remember it anyway,” he says, “I can’t remember it anyway,” and he gets through it with the vigor and boldness that makes him feel refreshed, like “SPEAK OF THE DEVIL,” which only had two performances. [Disc 3-4: 1998 Milton Keynes performance (V. Apis)] The last one to appear is “OZZFEST ‘98” one year later. This is an audience recording of "June 20, 1998 Milton Keynes", which was the only UK performance. In 1998, only the masterpiece bootleg “OZZY RULES BUDAPEST” was known, but this work has a wonderful clear sound that comes close to that masterpiece. However, what is even more wonderful than the sound is the length. The show itself is longer than “OZZFEST ‘97”, but on this day they also performed the super masterpiece “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”, which was only performed a few times. “OZZY RULES BUDAPEST” ended halfway, but this work includes the complete recording up to the last “Paranoid”. The show drawn with that sound is a reliable show with Vinnie Appice, who is doing surprisingly well. Since he has known Iommi/Geezer for a long time, he has a perfect sense of breathing, and his fine details are also highly perfected. There were many songs played for the first time on this tour, but even those songs are very familiar. He understands Sabbath more deeply than the typical Bordin/Larkin/Kulfetos, and shows off his drumming that is more active than Bill, who is not usually active. Is "Spiral Architect" particularly wonderful? Vinnie's sharp rhythm and unique tom roll fit perfectly into the lyrical song, making it truly dramatic. In fact, it may be better suited than "REUNION", which Bill himself hit. Speaking of Bill, the scenes in which he appears in this work are also worth listening to. As mentioned above, this Milton Keynes performance is the only home show in “OZZFEST ‘98”. That's why Bill is visiting as a guest. Ozzy invited him to the stage, saying, ``Bill is here tonight,'' and a chorus of ``Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh my, Bill Ward! Bill Ward!'' Although the concept of this work is a drummer other than Bill, Bill's presence is also firmly engraved. Additionally, this disc also includes valuable bonuses. Also includes broadcast sound sources of "War Pigs" and "Fairies Wear Boots" from Milton Keynes. Although it is only two songs, the sound board played by drummers other than Bill is extremely valuable. It's a delicious bonus that will surprise you with its very existence. A superb live set that is similar and different from many reunion titles. Although he may be a bit of a maniac, a maniac is someone who is able to see through the true value of something without being fooled by the surface. The quality is excellent, the content is interesting, and yet it is a deep 4-disc set. “Ozzy SABBATH other than Bill” is enough for this work, and on the other hand, you cannot listen to the highest peak without this work. A must-have item for enthusiasts. Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN, USA 22nd June 1997 TRULY PERFECT SOUND Polaris Amphitheater, Columbus, OH, USA 1st July 1997 PERFECT SOUND National Bowl, Milton Keynes, UK 20th June 1998 PERFECT SOUND Disc 1(59:52) Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN, USA 22nd June 1997 1. War Pigs 2. Into The Void 3. Sweet Leaf 4. Iron Man 5. Children Of The Grave 6. Black Sabbath 7. Fairies Wear Boots 8. Paranoid Disc 2 (65:55) Polaris Amphitheater, Columbus, OH, USA 1st July 1997 1. Sabbath Medley 2. War Pigs 3. Into The Void 4. Sweet Leaf 5. Iron Man 6. Children Of The Grave 7. Black Sabbath 8. Faries Wear Boots 9. Paranoid National Bowl, Milton Keynes, UK 20th June 1998 Disc 3(47:07) 1. War Pigs 2. N.I.B. 3. Fairies Wear Boots 4. Snowblind 5. Into The Void 6. Spiral Architect 7. Lord Of This World Disc 4(58:10) 1. Introducing Bill Ward 2. Sweet Leaf 3. Electric Funeral 4. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 5. Black Sabbath 6. Iron Man 7. Embryo/Children Of The Grave 8. Paranoid Bonus Track 9. War Pigs (Soundboard) 10. Fairies Wear Boots (Soundboard) Ozzy Osbourne - Vocals Tony Iommi - Guitar Geezer Butler - Bass Mike Bordin - Drums (Disc 1) Shannon Larkin - Drums (Disc 2) Vinny Appice - Drums (Disc 3-4 ) Geoff Nicholls - Keyboards