BLACK SABBATH - Headless Cross 12" Vinyl LP Album

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Album cover of Headless Cross by Black Sabbath featuring a weathered Celtic cross standing in a foggy graveyard under a dark sky, with a partially obscured moon in the background, evoking themes of death, darkness, and the supernatura

Released in April 1989, Headless Cross marked a powerful chapter for Black Sabbath, showcasing Tony Iommi’s legendary riffs paired with Tony Martin’s commanding vocals. Featuring Cozy Powell’s thunderous drumming and Neil Murray’s solid bass lines, the album blended classic heavy metal with dark, atmospheric themes, highlighted by tracks like ‘When Death Calls.’ It remains a Tony Martin-era standout.

Album Description:

Black Sabbath is a legendary heavy metal band that has been active since the late 1960s. They are widely considered to be one of the most influential bands in the genre, with a legacy that has inspired countless other musicians over the years. In 1989, Black Sabbath released their album "Headless Cross" on 12" vinyl LP. The album was a critical and commercial success, and remains an important part of the band's discography to this day.

"Headless Cross" was the 14th studio album by Black Sabbath and was released on 24 April 1989. The album was recorded at Battery Studios in London. The album featured 10 tracks, including the titular "Headless Cross," "Devil & Daughter," and "When Death Calls."

"Headless Cross" marked a departure from the band's earlier sound, which had been characterized by a blues-influenced heavy rock style. The album featured a much heavier and more polished sound, with a greater emphasis on synthesizers and keyboards. This shift in style was largely attributed to the influence of producer Tony Martin, who was able to bring a fresh perspective to the band's sound.

Despite the changes to their sound, Black Sabbath was still able to maintain their trademark heaviness and intensity on "Headless Cross." The album featured several standout tracks, including the epic "When Death Calls," which showcased the band's ability to craft complex and emotionally charged songs.

Production and Recording Information

The album: "BLACK SABBATH - Headless Cross 12" Vinyl LP" was produced by: Tony Iommi and Cozy Powell

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Sean Lynch

Music Genre:

Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, Hard Rock , British Heavy Metal

Label & Catalognr:

:I.R.S. 064-24 1005

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

Year & Country:

1989 Made in EEC

Musicians:
  • Tony Iommi - Guitars, Producer
    Discover how Tony Iommi shaped heavy metal with Black Sabbath and became one of rock’s most influential guitarists. Read more
  • Cozy Powell - Drums, Producer
    Cozy Powell: Feel the thunderous beat of his drums, propelling legendary rock bands to stardom. Discover the man behind the powerhouse, from humble beginnings to a rock drumming icon.
  • Tony Martin - Lead Vocals

    Tony Martin (real-name: Anthony Philip Harford ) is a British singer best known for his performances with the NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) band from 1987 until 1991 and 1993 until 1997. Tony Martin first official recording is with "Black Sabbath" 1987 album "The Eternal Idol". Other bands in which "Tony Martin" has sung in are: Bailey's Comet, Black Sabbath , Blue Murder, Candlemass (Sweden), Cozy Powell's Hammer, Empire, Giuntini Project, M3, Rondinelli, Silver Horses, The Alliance, The Bailey Brothers, The Cage, Tony Martin (Band).

  • Geoff Nicholls - Keyboards

    Geoff Nicholls (real-name: Geoffrey James Nicholls) is a keyboardist, musician and best known for the period where he performed with the NWOBHM band "Black Sabbath". Other bands he has performed with include Johnny Neal and the Starliners, Quartz, The Boll Weevils, The Seed, Tony Martin, World of Oz.

  • Laurence Cottle - Bass (Guest performer)
  • Brian May (Queen)- Guitars (Guest performer)
Tracklisting Side One:
  1. The Gates of Hell
  2. Headless Cross
  3. Devil and Daughter
  4. When Death Calls
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Kill In the Spirit World
  2. Call of the Wild
  3. Black Moon
  4. Rightwing
High Resolution & Quality Photos
Front Cover Photo Of BLACK SABBATH - Headless Cross 12" Vinyl LP
High Resolution Photo black sabbath headless cross

The Headless Cross album cover by Black Sabbath is dark and atmospheric, reflecting the album’s haunting themes. The centerpiece is a weathered Celtic cross, rugged and ancient, emerging from a foggy graveyard under a blackened sky. The moon, partially obscured, adds a sense of eerie foreboding.

Symbolism:

1. The Celtic Cross – A symbol often associated with death, faith, and the passage of time, it ties to the album’s themes of mortality and the supernatural.

2. Dark Sky & Moon – Representing mystery, the occult, and the unknown, fitting Sabbath’s lyrical exploration of death, darkness, and human fears.

3. Gravestone Imagery – Reinforces the macabre tone of the record, aligning with its ominous title Headless Cross.

The stark simplicity of the design and its gothic overtones mirror the music’s powerful and foreboding atmosphere, drawing listeners into Black Sabbath’s exploration of darkness and mortality.

Photo Of The Back Cover BLACK SABBATH - Headless Cross 12" Vinyl LP
High Resolution Photo black sabbath headless cross
Close up of the record's label
High Resolution Photo black sabbath headless cross

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