The two greatest metal bands of all time — Black Sabbath and Metallica — have recently released deluxe editions of classic albums.
We’ll start with Black Sabbath — since, well, heavy metal as we know it started with them — and recommend that fans check out the awesome “Technical Ecstasy: Super Deluxe Edition” from Rhino Records.
Of course, Sabbath’s seventh album, released in 1976, doesn’t get the acclaim of some the band’s earlier efforts. And, clearly, it’s not an all-time classic in the league of Sabbath’s “Vol. 4” and “Paranoid.” Yet, it’s still a mighty strong outing, one that shows some intriguing different sides (and sounds) from vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward.
This expanded edition includes a remastered version of the original album, plus another take on “Technical Ecstasy” featuring a brand new mix. There are also outtakes, alternative mixes and — the biggest selling point of all — plenty of live tracks. It’s available as a four-CD set ($59.98), five-LP package ($109.98) at rhino.com. It’s also available via multiple streaming/download sites.
Moving over to Metallica, the best-selling Bay Area band of all time is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its 1991 self-titled album — commonly known as “The Black Album” — with some spruced-up editions of that blockbuster.
It’s one of the biggest albums of all time, having sold some 35 million copies around the globe. It also gave the world such fan favorites as “The Unforgiven,” “Nothing Else Matters,” “Wherever I May Roam,” “Sad But True” and, of course, “Enter Sandman.”
The album is available in several formats, starting with a remastered version of the original that runs $9.99-$24.98 (depending on format) and then moving upward in price as more bells and whistles are included in the package. See metallica.com for more details.
