Various Artists - Evil Lives - A True Metal Tribute To Black Sabbath (2004)

Being a long time fan of Black Sabbath (especially the '80s stuff), I was thrilled to find record that wasn't just rehashed versions of all the Ozzy "hits" or trying to push some nu-metal or rap versions. This record is a blessing, in that the bands are of a power metal position (ie. Iced Earth, Primal Fear, Steel Prophet, etc.). It was great to hear covers of the Dio era & beyond.
The best cut is by a band I'd never heard called Icarus Witch, who capture that spirit of the evil '80s metal but are apparantly a new band (judging by their web site) bringing back that cool style!
Order Of Nine & Jag Panzer were also exceptional. The best part is the packaging. Unlike other tributes I wasted money on, this one actually has high quality pictures, a huge pull out with good writing & in depth info on the history of Sabbath. It's like getting a book AND a killer heavy metal CD...and it was CHEAP!
(amazon.com/Evil-Lives-Metal-Black-Sabbath/dp/B000255KBW) Review by Chad Thompkins. June 25, 2004
This Sabbath Tribute is awesome. Finally a tribute that doesn't just cover the same Sabbath tunes we have all heard done 100 times over. This tribute splices things up and gives a good mix of the bands music. Good production and cool pics/info of the bands covering the songs.
Overall, the whole cd was refreshing to listen to. The best tracks on the cd were N.I.B. by Dofka and Falling Off the Edge of The World by Icarus Witch.
Highly Reccomended!!!!
(amazon.com/Evil-Lives-Metal-Black-Sabbath/dp/B000255KBW) Review by Dave Watson. July 2, 2004