Black Sabbath Announce First Tony Martin Boxset

Black Sabbath will release the Anno Domini 1989-1995 boxset on 31 May 2024 via BMG. Featuring newly remastered versions of Headless Cross (1989), Tyr (1990), and Cross Purposes (1994), plus a new version of Forbidden (1995) that guitarist Tony Iommi remixed specially for the collection, this is the first boxset of the Tony Martin Black Sabbath era.

“I was never happy with the guitar sound,” Tony Iommi told us about Forbidden, “and Cozy was definitely never happy with the drum sound. So, I thought it would be nice to do it for him in a way.

“I just felt that, without changing any of the songs, there was an opportunity to go back and bring out some of the sounds and make it more what people would expect Sabbath to sound like.”

Several albums make their vinyl debut in the LP version of Anno Domini, while the CD version contains three exclusive bonus tracks: the B-side Cloak & Dagger and the Japan-only releases What’s The Use and Loser Gets It All.

A booklet comes with the set featuring photos, artwork, and liner notes by Hugh Gilmour. The collection also contains a Headless Cross poster and a replica concert book from the Headless Cross Tour.

Black Sabbath originally released Headless Cross in 1989 on I.R.S. Records, the first of a five-album deal with the label. Praised by fans and critics alike, the band’s 14th studio release produced three singles: Devil And Daughter, Call Of The Wild, and the title track.

Bassist Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Gary Moore) joined the Headless Cross Tour and stayed to record Sabbath’s next album, 1990’s Tyr. Named for the Norse god of war, the album explores similar mythological themes in songs like The Battle Of Tyr and Valhalla. On The Sabbath Stones, the band channels Old Testament fire and brimstone into a classic bruiser.

In 1992, following a successful world tour, this incarnation of Black Sabbath was put on hold when the band reunited temporarily with Ronnie James Dio.

Two years later, Martin and Nicholls were back in the studio with Iommi to record 1994’s Cross Purposes. The band was completed with the addition of founding Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bobby Rondinelli of Rainbow.

The Tyr-era Black Sabbath lineup reunited in 1995 when Powell and Murray returned to record Forbidden. It was the band’s 18th studio album, and its last for nearly 20 years.

Forbidden was produced by Ernie C of Body Count, the hard rock band fronted by rapper/actor/Sabbath fan Ice-T, who appears on the song Illusion Of Power. Since its release, sonically improving the album has been one of Iommi’s pet projects.

Black Sabbath – Anno Domini 1989-1999 – Can be pre-ordered from BlackSabbath.lnk.to/annodominiPR

Black Sabbath – ANNO DOMINI 1989-1995 – Vinyl

Headless Cross (1989)

Side One

1. The Gates Of Hell
2. Headless Cross
3. Devil & Daughter
4. When Death Calls

Side Two

1. Kill In The Spirit World
2. Call Of The Wild
3. Black Moon
4. Nightwing

Tyr (1990)

Side One

1. Anno Mundi
2. The Law Maker
3. Jerusalem
4. The Sabbath Stones

Side Two

1. The Battle Of Tyr
2. Odin’s Court
3. Valhalla
4. Feels Good To Me
5. Heaven In Black

Cross Purposes (1994)

Side One

1. I Witness
2. Cross Of Thorns
3. Psychophobia
4. Virtual Death
5. Immaculate Deception

Side Two

1. Dying For Love
2. Back To Eden
3. The Hand That Rocks The Cradle
4. Cardinal Sin
5. Evil Eye

Forbidden (1995)

Side One

1. The Illusion Of Power – featuring Ice-T
2. Get A Grip
3. Can’t Get Close Enough
4. Shaking Off The Chains
5. I Won’t Cry For You

Side Two

1. Guilty As Hell
2. Sick And Tired
3. Rusty Angels
4. Forbidden
5. Kiss Of Death

ANNO DOMINI 1989-1995 – CD

Headless Cross (1989)

1. The Gates Of Hell
2. Headless Cross
3. Devil & Daughter
4. When Death Calls
5. Kill In The Spirit World
6. Call Of The Wild
7. Black Moon
8. Nightwing

Bonus Track

9. Cloak And Dagger

Tyr (1990)

1. Anno Mundi
2. The Law Maker
3. Jerusalem
4. The Sabbath Stones
5. The Battle Of Tyr
6. Odin’s Court
7. Valhalla
8. Feels Good To Me
9. Heaven In Black

Cross Purposes (1994)

1. I Witness
2. Cross Of Thorns
3. Psychophobia
4. Virtual Death
5. Immaculate Deception
6. Dying For Love
7. Back To Eden
8. The Hand That Rocks The Cradle
9. Cardinal Sin
10. Evil Eye

Bonus Track

11. What’s The Use

Forbidden (1995)

1. The Illusion Of Power – featuring Ice-T
2. Get A Grip
3. Can’t Get Close Enough
4. Shaking Off The Chains
5. I Won’t Cry For You
6. Guilty As Hell
7. Sick And Tired
8. Rusty Angels
9. Forbidden
10. Kiss Of Death

Bonus Track

11. Loser Gets It All