Black Sabbath – Mob Rules

I was VERY hesitant about this pressing because it is pressed by MRP (Memphis Record Pressing, USA) which is partly owned and run by the notorious Czech pressing plant GZ, known for being low budget and sound anything but analogue. I am glad to report that MRP seems to have done a proper job - records came in poly lined inners, clean and 100% flat. However the master source used to remaster this pressing is not analogue at all, it is a later generation digital high resolution (at best) polished up by Andy Pearce and Andy Wortham. That is most likely why we get a '2021 remaster'. It sounds decent enough but compared to any decent original pressing pre 1983 it is flat and very undynamic. Pearce and Wortham did their best and it's ok.

For my money, "Mob Rules" isn't just the best record Black Sabbath made with Ronnie James Dio, it's one of the best, most consistent Black Sabbath albums period. It builds on "Heaven and Hell" and delivers even more. Tony, Geezer and Ronnie sound totally energized.

"Turn Up the Night" is a perfect opener; Dio's powerful vocal presence grabs you, and the way Tony goes nuts with that wah pedal...it's massive. The music, riffs, arrangements, production, and performances are all spot on. For me, it really does play as a greatest hits record. An absolutely essential hard rock/metal record.

The only downside is that I prefer Bill Ward over Vinny Appice, and his presence is missed. But the album is so great, it's not really diminished.

Looks like I have 2 versions of this that are not listed here that I need to add.

One is a variant of a US club edition. There are a good few listed, all with subtle differences, but mine is different again.

The other is an Irish Press LP, different to one Irish press version already listed.

As NWOBHM was breaking worldwide, Sabbath quietly released the second of the Ronnie James Dio fronted albums. Tracks like 'Voodoo' and 'Sign of the Southern Cross' showcase Dio's massive vocal range and Sabbath for a moment rekindled that magic that got sidetracked with 'Technical Ecstasy' and 'Never Say Die'. Not as powerful as 'Heaven and Hell' however still worthy of giving the new kids on the block a run for their money. Although Sabbath and Dio both managed to carve out a niche in the metal industry after his departure from the band, fans and critics alike are often left wondering if Sabbath would have been stadium fillers for decades to follow if they didn't disband. Also of note was Vinnie Appice replacing Bill Ward behind the kit.