News

2021 has been a good year for fans of Black Sabbath: the band’s Vol. 4, Sabotage, Heaven and Hell, and Mob Rules have all been reissued and expanded.  Now, Rhino is turning its attention to the band’s 1976 album Technical Ecstasy.  Sabbath’s seventh album, the Gold-certified Technical Ecstasy will arrive on October 1 in 4CD and 5LP box set editions featuring the remastered original album, a brand-new Steven Wilson remix, and over 90 minutes of previously unheard bonus material.

Black Sabbath chose Miami’s famed Criteria Studios (The Allman Brothers Band, The Bee Gees, Eagles) as the recording studio for Technical Ecstasy.  At Criteria, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward would experiment there with keyboards and synthesizers; the sound they created would depart even further from their original metal darkness.  Osbourne later noted that Iommi was chasing the modern sounds of Foreigner or Queen but the result was pure Sabbath, if in eclectic mode.  Drummer Ward sang the melodic ballad “It’s Alright,” his first time on lead vocals.  Other tracks were funky (“All Moving Parts (Stand Still))” and driving (“Back Street Kids”); the album-closing “Dirty Women” – reportedly inspired by the prostitutes Butler had spotted around Miami – became a fan favorite.

The Deluxe Edition of Technical Ecstasy presents a newly remastered version of the eight-song album, alongside an all-new mix of the album created by Steven Wilson using the original analog multitrack tapes.  In addition, eight previously unreleased outtakes and alternate mixes are included, among them unique mixes of “You Won’t Change Me” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Doctor” and both alternate and instrumental versions of “She’s Gone.” The box set also premieres ten live tracks recorded during the 1976-77 Technical Ecstasy World Tour, ranging from performances of the album’s “Gypsy” and “Dirty Women” to early Sabbath classics.

As with the previous box sets in this series, Technical Ecstasy includes a detailed booklet with liner notes, memorabilia, and photos.  A replica of the tour program and a large poster are also included.  The Super Deluxe Editions of Technical Ecstasy are due from Rhino on October 1.  You’ll find the pre-order links and track listings below.

The collection comes with an extensive booklet featuring artwork, liner notes, rare memorabilia and photos from the era, plus a replica of the 1976-77 world tour concert book and a large color poster.

Black Sabbath, Technical Ecstasy: Super Deluxe Edition (Vertigo LP 9102 750 (U.K.)/Warner Bros. LP BS 2969 (U.S.), 1976 – reissued Rhino, 2021)

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

CD 1: Original Album (Remaster)

1. “Back Street Kids”
2. “You Won’t Change Me”
3. “It’s Alright”
4. “Gypsy”
5. “All Moving Parts (Stand Still)”
6. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Doctor”
7. “She’s Gone”
8. “Dirty Women”

CD 2: New Steven Wilson Mix

1. “Back Street Kids” *
2. “You Won’t Change” *
3. “It’s Alright” – Mono Version
4. “Gypsy” *
5. “All Moving Parts (Stand Still)” *
6. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Doctor” *
7. “She’s Gone” *
8. “Dirty Women” *

CD 3: Outtakes & Alternative Mixes

1. “Back Street Kids” – Alternative Mix *
2. “You Won’t Change Me” – Alternative Mix *
3. “Gypsy” – Alternative Mix *
4. “All Moving Parts (Stand Still)” – Alternative Mix *
5. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Doctor” – Alternative Mix *
6. “She’s Gone” – Outtake Version *
7. “Dirty Women” – Alternative Mix *
8. “She’s Gone” – Instrumental Mix *

CD 4: Live World Tour 1976-77

1. “Symptom of theUniverse” *
2. “War Pigs” *
3. “Gypsy” *
4. “Black Sabbath” *
5. “All Moving Parts (Stand Still)” *
6. “Dirty Women” *
7. Drum Solo / Guitar Solo *
8. “Electric Funeral” *
9. “Snowblind” *
10. “Children of the Grave” *

5LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

LP One: Original Album Remastered

Side One

1. “Back Street Kids”
2. “You Won’t Change Me”
3. “It’s Alright”
4. “Gypsy”

Side Two

1. “All Moving Parts (Stand Still)”
2. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Doctor”
3. “She’s Gone”
4. “Dirty Women”

LP Two: New Steven Wilson Mix

1. Side Three
2. “Back Street Kids” *
3. “You Won’t Change Me” *
4. “It’s Alright” – Mono Single
5. “Gypsy” *

Side Four

1. “All Moving Parts (Stand Still)” *
2. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Doctor” *
3. “She’s Gone” *
4. “Dirty Women” *

LP Three: Outtakes & Alternative Mixes

Side Five

1. “Back Street Kids” – Alternative Mix *
2. “You Won’t Change Me” – Alternative Mix *
3. “Gypsy” – Alternative Mix *
4. “All Moving Parts (Stand Still)” – Alternative Mix *

Side Six

1. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Doctor” – Alternative Mix *
2. “She’s Gone” – Outtake Version *
3. “Dirty Women” – Alternative Mix *
4. “She’s Gone” – Instrumental Mix *

LP Four: Live World Tour 1976-77

Side Seven

1. “Symptom of the Universe” *
2. “War Pigs” *
3. “Gypsy” *

Side Eight

1. “Black Sabbath” *
2. “All Moving Parts (Stand Still)” *

LP Five: Live World Tour 1976-77

Side Nine

1. “Dirty Women” *
2. Drum Solo / Guitar Solo *

Side Ten

1. “Electric Funeral” *
2. “Snowblind” *
3. “Children of the Grave” *

(*) denotes previously unreleased track