Random Song: Black Sabbath - Falling Off the Edge of the World
- Thread starter Vap
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I didn't properly appreciate this song until I heard them play it live. Ever since, it's hardly left me. Just listen to the part when it gets "heavy", i.e. the drums and riff kick in. This gravity and majesty can only be conceived by what might just have been the greatest lineup in heavy metal history. I don't want to downplay the Osbourne and Martin-era Sabbath, but show me one band that had or has a bigger chemistry between them than the Dio/Iommi/Butler/Appice lineup. When you saw them live, you thought it takes one spark and everything will explode. They were gods who could have smited the mortals at any given time. But we were lucky, because they loved us, and we loved them.
Best from the album, not by a long shot, but still.
When Dio introduced it in Berlin '09, he said something to the effect of: "This song was written twenty years ago, and nothing has changed. Just look in what shape the world is in today."
At Wacken later that year, he added something like "on the other hand, look at you guys, so all is not bad."
Finally, the lyrics never fail to send a shiver down my spine (as they do right now, while listening to it):
You know I've seen the faces of doom and I'm only a man
...
You know I've seen some creatures from hell and I've heard what they say!
And yet, there is a positive message:
Look out! there's danger! no where to run!
It seems like desperate measures but sometimes it has to be done
Over, it's over at last
There's a message inside as we build a new life from the past
That's Dio's lyrics for you.
10/10.
Best from the album, not by a long shot, but still.
When Dio introduced it in Berlin '09, he said something to the effect of: "This song was written twenty years ago, and nothing has changed. Just look in what shape the world is in today."
At Wacken later that year, he added something like "on the other hand, look at you guys, so all is not bad."
Finally, the lyrics never fail to send a shiver down my spine (as they do right now, while listening to it):
You know I've seen the faces of doom and I'm only a man
...
You know I've seen some creatures from hell and I've heard what they say!
And yet, there is a positive message:
Look out! there's danger! no where to run!
It seems like desperate measures but sometimes it has to be done
Over, it's over at last
There's a message inside as we build a new life from the past
That's Dio's lyrics for you.
10/10.
Unknown One
I see the ghost of navigators.
First impressions of this song are really good (I'd never heard it until I saw it linked here). I do like the intro, but like the song more when it kicks up a gear into the main riff.
After about 5 listens or so now, and I'm still finding new things in it. The haunting echoes / melody in the intro really are great. The main riff once it kicks up a gear and Dio in this song are really really good. 9/10 after just a handful of listens so far.
After about 5 listens or so now, and I'm still finding new things in it. The haunting echoes / melody in the intro really are great. The main riff once it kicks up a gear and Dio in this song are really really good. 9/10 after just a handful of listens so far.
Intro is boring, but the rest of the song is good. Not one of my favorites though. 7/10.
Great choice! I've always though this song didn't get the appreciation it deserved.
It's the perfect marriage of Dio and Iommi.
A properly doomy, hopeless beginning before that exquisite riff — frantic, stumbling mad panic, perfectly setting the mood for some of Ronnie's best lyrics.
Easy 10.
It's the perfect marriage of Dio and Iommi.
A properly doomy, hopeless beginning before that exquisite riff — frantic, stumbling mad panic, perfectly setting the mood for some of Ronnie's best lyrics.
Easy 10.
Cornfed Hick
Ancient Mariner
I'd stack Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules against any two albums by any band, EVER. And Falling Off the Edge of the World is the second-best song on those albums. So, yes, I'd say it's pretty damn strong. 9/10
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
I'd never do that. Seriously, if we could forget the classic (and overrated) status of these albums for one moment, then it's not hard to recognize the following:
The fillers on these albums....
Lady Evil
Wishing Well
Walk Away
Voodoo
Country Girl
Slipping Away
Over and Over
....are really worse than the worst songs this band and many other bands did on many other albums.
Yes, the albums contain some fantastic songs, some of the best in metal, but the others are rather average, simple, non-adventurous and dull songs, especially the ones from Mob Rules. Turn Up the Night is not that great either, because it sounds like a rehashed (and worse) Neon Knights. The two best albums by any band? Just the thought already makes me wonder in disbelief when I think of this list of songs (and when I think of so many other albums out there).
The fillers on these albums....
Lady Evil
Wishing Well
Walk Away
Voodoo
Country Girl
Slipping Away
Over and Over
....are really worse than the worst songs this band and many other bands did on many other albums.
Yes, the albums contain some fantastic songs, some of the best in metal, but the others are rather average, simple, non-adventurous and dull songs, especially the ones from Mob Rules. Turn Up the Night is not that great either, because it sounds like a rehashed (and worse) Neon Knights. The two best albums by any band? Just the thought already makes me wonder in disbelief when I think of this list of songs (and when I think of so many other albums out there).
Lady Evil is my second favorite Dio era Black Sabbath song. Great rhythm and amazing solos.
Headless Cross is my favorite Black Sabbath album.
Headless Cross is my favorite Black Sabbath album.
Foro, I agree those are probably the worst songs on the albums.
But I disagree with everything else.
Country Girl and Slipping Away are OK songs made better by interesting mid-section breakdowns.
Over and Over is drenched with emotion. Voodoo's riff has bigger hooks than the ones on Bruce Dickinson's ceiling.
And while I guess they are standard rock tracks, the melodies and rhythms on the first three are terrific.
I am with Cornfed — H&H is among the best albums ever and Mob Rules is in the tournament.
But I disagree with everything else.
Country Girl and Slipping Away are OK songs made better by interesting mid-section breakdowns.
Over and Over is drenched with emotion. Voodoo's riff has bigger hooks than the ones on Bruce Dickinson's ceiling.
And while I guess they are standard rock tracks, the melodies and rhythms on the first three are terrific.
I am with Cornfed — H&H is among the best albums ever and Mob Rules is in the tournament.
Forostar said:I'd never do that. Seriously, if we could forget the classic (and overrated) status of these albums for one moment, then it's not hard to recognize the following:
The fillers on these albums....
Lady Evil
Wishing WellWalk Away
Voodoo
Country Girl
Slipping Away
Over and Over
....are really worse than the worst songs this band and many other bands did on many other alb
I like those ones.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
I could say I "like" a few of that list as well (Wishing Well the most), but they are far from good enough (and way too many in amount) to make these records among my let's say favourite 30 or 40 albums or so.
If the best 4 songs of Heaven and Hell would be added to the best 4 of Mob Rules, now we're talking.
No clue what you guys have heard in your life but I have heard many other stronger albums, in all kinds of genres.
If the best 4 songs of Heaven and Hell would be added to the best 4 of Mob Rules, now we're talking.
No clue what you guys have heard in your life but I have heard many other stronger albums, in all kinds of genres.
Cornfed Hick
Ancient Mariner
Forostar said:I'd never do that. Seriously, if we could forget the classic (and overrated) status of these albums for one moment, then it's not hard to recognize the following:
The fillers on these albums....
Lady Evil
Wishing Well
Walk Away
Voodoo
Country Girl
Slipping Away
Over and Over
....are really worse than the worst songs this band and many other bands did on many other albums.
Yes, the albums contain some fantastic songs, some of the best in metal, but the others are rather average, simple, non-adventurous and dull songs, especially the ones from Mob Rules. Turn Up the Night is not that great either, because it sounds like a rehashed (and worse) Neon Knights. The two best albums by any band? Just the thought already makes me wonder in disbelief when I think of this list of songs (and when I think of so many other albums out there).
Couldn't disagree more. I love Country Girl (one of my favorite Sabbath riffs ever) and Slipping Away, Voodoo, Lady Evil and Over and Over are excellent, and the others are still pretty good. These are great, great albums. And I've heard a lot of albums.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Country Girl indeed has a great riff but it is repeated so often that I don't find it that exciting, compared to other more atmospheric and melodic songs from that era.
The wrong ones.
On a more serious note: I always had the impression that you like classic rock/metal acts a lot (I also remember you talked about Blind Guardian and Iced Earth), and I don't remember you talking much about other genres in music or sub-genres of metal. Is that correct?
If one likes one or two (sub-)genres in music, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to conclude that it's logical that a classic wellknown album from that genre is picked as a favourite.
People who have a broader taste in music might have heard more albums, in a wider variety of styles and sounds. Thus the chance of picking an "obvious" choice as Heaven and Hell is smaller. They have heard many more other compelling songs in all kinds of genres, which mean nothing to the classic rock fan. E.g.: by excluding all music with cookiemonster vocals, the pool to choose from becomes a smaller pool.
I am not sure what albums you have heard Cornfed, but if I didn't like Maiden (and some more of my favourite bands) as much as I do now, and if I might have heard the same albums as you did, I also might have ended up with those two. Fortunately this isn't the case and I am very glad that I have appreciated most territories in metal. Now I have come to the point where I dive more into the past, than being busy with the present. Currently busy with Genesis and Jethro Tull. Two fantastic bands, it will be a great ride.
Short summary of my point:
This is not only about individual taste, I think it's also about how broad taste can be (which enables one to choose from a certain quantity).
edit:
You know what? I also see a disadvantage of discovering new music all the time.
I have actually been so busy with exploring new stuff, that I might have forgotten how good some albums are.
Right now I am going to play Mob Rules at once.
Cornfed Hick said:
The wrong ones.
On a more serious note: I always had the impression that you like classic rock/metal acts a lot (I also remember you talked about Blind Guardian and Iced Earth), and I don't remember you talking much about other genres in music or sub-genres of metal. Is that correct?
If one likes one or two (sub-)genres in music, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to conclude that it's logical that a classic wellknown album from that genre is picked as a favourite.
People who have a broader taste in music might have heard more albums, in a wider variety of styles and sounds. Thus the chance of picking an "obvious" choice as Heaven and Hell is smaller. They have heard many more other compelling songs in all kinds of genres, which mean nothing to the classic rock fan. E.g.: by excluding all music with cookiemonster vocals, the pool to choose from becomes a smaller pool.
I am not sure what albums you have heard Cornfed, but if I didn't like Maiden (and some more of my favourite bands) as much as I do now, and if I might have heard the same albums as you did, I also might have ended up with those two. Fortunately this isn't the case and I am very glad that I have appreciated most territories in metal. Now I have come to the point where I dive more into the past, than being busy with the present. Currently busy with Genesis and Jethro Tull. Two fantastic bands, it will be a great ride.
Short summary of my point:
This is not only about individual taste, I think it's also about how broad taste can be (which enables one to choose from a certain quantity).
edit:
You know what? I also see a disadvantage of discovering new music all the time.
I have actually been so busy with exploring new stuff, that I might have forgotten how good some albums are.
Right now I am going to play Mob Rules at once.
edge of darkness
Trooper
9. I was listening to mob rules yesterday. I really like Iommi's solo on this one.
Cornfed Hick
Ancient Mariner
Forostar said:
I won't pretend to be an expert on every obscure sub genre of metal (like pirate metal and folk metal), but that's usually because what little I have heard turns me off. I usually listen to links people post in this forum, because I'm always on the hunt for things I haven't heard yet. I have pretty broad taste, ranging from classical to pop to punk/indie to hard rock. Occasionally I hear a band I wasn't previously that familiar with, in a genre I didn't think I'd like, that blows me away (Opeth is a prime example, a couple of years ago, about whom I learned on this forum). Regardless of the genre, I think I have a pretty good ear for talent. When I first heard bands like Opeth or Blind Guardian, they jumped out as unique and high-quality artists that appealed to me greatly. Other acclaimed metal bands (e.g., Venom, Anthrax) just don't do it for me. I have found many metal bands too often race to see who is heavier or faster than the other guy, losing sight of basic concepts like melody and song craft, which are areas in which Maiden, for example, have displayed a particular genius over the years. Even undisputed classics like Slayer's Reign in Blood are, to me, several notches below albums like Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules, of which I never tire.
Forostar said:
Enjoy. As great as Side 1 is, I actually like Side 2 more. Dio, Iommi and Butler at their creative peaks.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Thanks for your take.
I sure did enjoy it.
That solo part in the title track still is one of the best moments of that album for me (together with the doomy Sign of the Soutern Cross, and the song of this topic). Not only the solo: I love that thundering bass underneath.
Cornfed Hick said:
I sure did enjoy it.
That solo part in the title track still is one of the best moments of that album for me (together with the doomy Sign of the Soutern Cross, and the song of this topic). Not only the solo: I love that thundering bass underneath.