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Black Sabbath - Paranoid (CD & DVD) Audio CD

A fair review of the Black Sabbath "Paranoid (CD & DVD)" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Black Sabbath reviews here, or go back to the Black Sabbath tabs.

Black Sabbath Band: Black Sabbath
Title: Paranoid (CD & DVD)
Rating:
Release Date: 2009-04-07
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: War Pigs 2: Paranoid 3: Planet Caravan 4: Iron Man 5: Electric Funeral 6: Hand of Doom 7: Rat Salad 8: Fairies Wear Boots 9: War Pigs 10: Paranoid 11: Planet Caravan 12: Iron Man 13: Electric Funeral 14: Hand of Doom 15: Rat Salad 16: Fairies Wear Boots 17: War Pigs 18: Paranoid 19: Planet Caravan 20: Iron Man 21: Electric Funeral 22: Hand of Doom 23: Rat Salad 24: Fairies Wear Boots

More of an analog sound.
Rhino sounds good, it has noise reduction to bring down the hiss and compression/limiting to make everything sound at the same loud level, which is perfect for your ipod. I compared this deluxe edition to the Rhino remaster and the deluxe edition has more tape hiss and less over all level, which is probably closer to the original vinyl sound. Which is best? I prefer the good old analog sound, less compression which gives more dynamic range to the music, but the Rhino release isn't bad like some say. The bonus tracks are fun to listen to, they're mainly instrumental versions, you hear the detail in the instruments which is nice. The quad mix isn't great but interesting to hear surround sound from back then. The artwork and packaging are nice too. Enjoy!.


This is DVD-Video NOT DVD-A nor SACD
According to the reviewer. I just read about this in Sound & Vision magazine (Sept 09). . . "How black (read: awful) is this Sabbath in the 1974 quad mix of its 1970 masterpiece? Let me count the ways: instruments that leap between channels, excessive vocal reverb, muffled sonics overall". . . "the repurposing for DTS 5. 1 on DVD-Video (not DVD-Audio, as the package misleads)". Reviewer gave this a 1/5 stars for the surround mix, but compliments it on the bonus disc with instrumental versions of the album and a great booklet.


DVD-audio or just DVD?


DVD uses a digital stream, so the sound quality is different. Is the 'quadraphonic' disc DVD-Audio or just DVD?

I say this as you need a specific DVD-audio player to hear it properly, as
DVD-audio uses discreet PCM streams. If you play
a DVD-audio mastered disc on DVD equipment no doubt it'll sound muffled and crap as they are different signals.

Since DVD-audio is a dead format, like Quadraphonic, you would think the record company geniuses would release it as a standard DVD disc with a Dolby digital 5. 1 or DTS mix like they did with the Nick Cave and Talking Heads remasters.

Regardless there is a bootleg Quad DVD of 'Paranoid' in DTS format on the net, you wonder why the stupid record industry complains about bootlegging and going broke when their idiot staff can't even get formats and product right for the market. But i may be wrong, if this post get responses to confirm otherwise.


Bar none, the best CD remaster!
Some are reporting that the Quad mix is muddy and are giving this release low points because of it. 1. First of all, the quad mix is not just the album put in 4. 0. This was an entirely new mix done in 1974 (using alternate guitar, bass and drum parts) when the album was given a more psychedelic sound by the original engineers. The only change made to it was to put it from 4. 0 to 5. 1 adding subwoofer and center channel to the mix, and it's amazing to hear! While it's a softer sound than the original album, it does not sound muddy on my equipment at all (I'm playing it on a Denon DVD-2910 and Denon AVR 1909 -- so nothing crazy high-end in terms of the equipment), in fact it sounds wild! (Make sure you choose 5. 1 from the screen menu b/c there's a standard 2. 0 mix for those who don't have a home-theater set-up).

2. Of the original album itself this is the single best remaster job bar none. The original CDs are terribly muddy. The Rhino remasters are a joke of overcompression that completely squashed any mid-range. The Castle and Japanese remasters were decent, but this Sanctuary remaster is the only one to get it 100% RIGHT, as in how the album sounded new on vinyl (which meant the correct blend of mid, high and low-range), allowing the instruments' individual flavors to be properly represented. Absolutely brilliant!

3. The disc of extras are for real fans of the band who get excited about embryonic versions of songs. This is a treasure trove of material, with Master of Reality and the debut album containing even more exciting things, including alternate instrumentation ("Lord of this World" played on slide guitar!), never-before heard songs ("Weevil Woman '71) and uncut songs (Iommi's original version of "Warning" was 10 minutes longer!) On Paranoid, we get demo versions that include prototypes of "Paranoid" and "Planet Caravan" before proper lyrics were given them (and Ozzy singing whatever came into his head to establish the melody lines). Again, for real fans of the band, this is a serious treat!

To clarify the band's position: While Iommi has never cherished this kind of thing like fans do, the band were behind this release (as evidenced by interviews and their quotes in the sleeve -- which btw is well-written and loaded with information); the albums were held back solely due to the apportioning of royalty rights, which have thankfully been settled.


GREAT ALBUM, CRAPPY EXTRA TRACKS
NOTHING NEW IN SOUND QUALITY and an extra price not worth it. ThE ALBUM ITSELF IS CLASSIC SABBATH, FIVE STARS FOR IT, BUT THE EXTRA SONGS REALLY SUCK , WAY BELOW THE RELEASED VERSIONS, SO KEEP YOUR CASTLE REMASTERS OR THE RECENT BLACK BOX.


You can see a complete list of all Black Sabbath discography, or go back to the Black Sabbath tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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