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Metal Insider contributor Anthony Maisano is listening to a different metal album that was released on that day every day this year. Today, it’s Black Sabbath’s Cross Purposes.
To start, I must state that I absolutely love the Tony Martin era of Sabbath. It’s my second favorite era, behind Dio. A fun fact about this album is that it’s the only Tony Martin-era Sabbath album that Geezer Butler played on! The album has some great, and underlooked Iommi riffs. It’s really a solid album, and a good listen through! “Cardinal Sin” is one of my favorites from the era. It’s dark, and the tempo change really is a killer one.
However. All of that said, but this isn’t one of the better Martin-era albums. It’s not the worst, and it’s still a good album, but I wouldn’t give this album to someone to try and get him or her into Tony Martin. There’s a guest appearance by Eddie Van Halen on the track “Evil Eye,” but I find it silly, seeing as Eddie is just doing his best Iommi impersonation, if you ask me. The album is a bit watered down when compared to the three amazing Martin-era albums that came before this one. In the end, it’s passable to those who like the Tony Martin material.
Favorite Tracks: “Cardinal Sin,” “Immaculate Deception,” “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle”
My recommendation was mostly stated above. It’s a fun album that I enjoy, but it’s not even near the best of the Tony Martin-era of Sabbath. I think people that otherwise enjoy Tony Martin Sabbath will like this album, but it won’t change the minds of people that dislike him, and probably won’t turn anyone onto this era. Give it a listen if you’re open minded to a different kind of Sabbath.
