BLACK SABBATH’s “Born Again” Getting a Remix: Tony Iommi Renews Plans to Revisit the Infamous Album
BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi recently reignited his desire to remix the band’s 1983 album “Born Again” during an appearance on SiriusXM‘s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk” (May 22nd). This unique album marked the only time DEEP PURPLE’s Ian Gillan took the helm as vocalist for SABBATH, and it was also drummer Bill Ward‘s final studio effort with the group.
Discussing why it’s taking so long for a remixed version of “Born Again” to be made available, Iommi said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Well, eventually we got the tapes, but we couldn’t find them for years. We didn’t know where they were. And [my manager] located somebody, and they were in a record [company’s], in their archives tucked away somewhere in one of the record companies. I don’t know how they got them, but they did.
“And so eventually we got them, and then we’ve had them, or [we are] having them transferred, ’cause obviously it’s tape. And so we’re having them transferred so we can have a look at that. And that’s sort of a plan as well; I’d like to do that. And I know Ian would like that to happen as well. Well, Geezer [Butler, SABBATH bassist] would as well, I’m sure.”
Iommi added that it seems like a lot of fans have rediscovered “Born Again”. “Yeah, it’s funny. That does happen,” he said. “And it’s the same as the Tony Martin [-era BLACK SABBATH] stuff as well. People didn’t know of it at the time, and then it’s word of mouth that gets around and the Internet, and they get interested and eventually, they [go], ‘Oh, yeah, it’s good.’ And that’s what’s happened with ‘Born Again’ a little bit. It’s funny how that works.
“Later on, a new generation come in and then people get to hear, the original fans will hear it and go, ‘Oh, yeah, I forgot about that record.’ It is funny how it all works, but it’s great. It’s great that it does. And that’s why I’d like to present that again, have a look at that and see what we can do with it. Because I know we weren’t very happy with the sound. But a lot of people accepted the sound, really — certainly now. At the time, it was, ‘Oh my God.’ Because we went on tour, left it to somebody else, and when we heard it, we nearly had a fit.
“It was in the top — I think it was No. 4 [on the chart] in England at the time. And we tried to stop it, but it was too late by the time we’d heard it. And it just sounded really muffly; it was nothing like when we left, before we went on tour. So it would be nice to get it so we can get a better sound on it, really…. There really are some great songs on that album. There really are.”
Back in June of last year, Iommi discussed remixing and making some changes to the album on an episode of “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk”, saying: “Well, when it was originally recorded, in the studio it sounded great; we loved it. But we went on tour then and somehow the sound got muffled. And whether it was from the pressing or what, I don’t know. But I’d like to look at that. I have heard, when I played the ‘Born Again’ album, there’s parts where I go, ‘Oh, that should have been louder,’ ‘This should have been more prominent’ — drums or whatever it may have been.
“There’s things that really need adjusting on it, because there’s some really good songs on that album too. But it would be nice to give it an up-to-date quality now, of what you can do now, and be able to listen to it differently. Because, obviously, when you’re involved with this stuff at the time, you’re hearing nothing but it, and then you leave it into somebody else’s hands, like we did with that.
“We went on tour, [came] back and heard it, and we went, ‘Oh my God. What happened?’ We don’t want that to happen. I want to be able to pull the tapes out again and really give it a good listen to and see what we need to adjust and change and make it a better-sounding album.”
A Brief History of “Born Again”
Originally conceived as a potential supergroup project, “Born Again” found BLACK SABBATH veterans Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass), and Bill Ward (drums) reuniting with a new voice at the helm. Gillan, known for his powerful and theatrical delivery, brought a distinct energy to SABBATH‘s signature riffs. This collaboration, however, proved short-lived. Gillan‘s preference for a more classic rock sound clashed with SABBATH‘s heavier direction, leading him to depart after the album’s supporting tour.
A Raw and Uncompromising Sound
“Born Again” is a sonic departure from SABBATH‘s earlier, doomier works. Gillan‘s vocals injected a dose of bluesy swagger, while the production leaned towards a raw and aggressive sound. Tracks like the opener “Trashed” and “Disturbing the Priest” showcased this newfound intensity, a stark contrast to the atmospheric epics of albums like “Master of Reality” or “Vol. 4.“
Critical Reception and Legacy
“Born Again” received mixed reviews upon release. Some fans embraced the reinvigorated SABBATH, while others felt Gillan‘s presence was a jarring departure from the band’s established sound. Despite the initial mixed reviews, “Born Again” has gained a cult following over the years. Many appreciate its raw energy and the sheer novelty of a Gillan-fronted SABBATH.
A One-Off Experiment or a Stepping Stone?
“Born Again” remains the only BLACK SABBATH album to feature Ian Gillan, and Bill Ward‘s final studio appearance with the band. While commercially successful, the album’s legacy lies in its role as a transitional chapter. It showcased BLACK SABBATH‘s willingness to experiment with different vocalists, paving the way for future collaborations with the likes of a returning Ronnie James Dio and Tony Martin.
So, is “Born Again” a masterpiece or a misstep? That’s up for you to decide! This unique album in BLACK SABBATH‘s vast discography offers a chance to experience the band through a different lens, a testament to their enduring ability to surprise and challenge expectations.