Ian Gillan (former Deep Purple vocalist) joined Black Sabbath in 1983 to record Born Again. Drummer Bill Ward left the band after recording was complete for health reasons, replaced by former ELO drummer Bev Bevan . The album's sleeve featured the image of an infant with horns and vampire fangs, hence the title Born Again.

Gillan left the band to regroup with Deep Purple in 1984.

Vocals-Ian Gillan Guitar-Tony Iommi Bass-Geezer Butler Drums-Bill Ward (later replaced, read above)

The album (1996 Gimcastle remaster) begins with "Trashed", perhaps the heaviest Black Sabbath song since "Symptom of the Universe". Followed by an instrumental piece "Stonehenge" that takes the listener to the begining of "Disturbing the Priest" which is obviously intended to mock religion, amidst Gillans screaming and heavy music. "The Dark/Zero the Hero" are next, and though some consider this a classic (non-Ozzy/Dio era) song, it reeks of failure with terrible lyrics. "Digital Bitch" starts at a fast pace and stays so in the same vein as "Trashed". The title track has a slower pace to it and is much darker than the second track "Disturbing the Priest".

"Hot Line" and "Keep it Warm" are more emotional and set to the theme of, dare I say it, love.

This raises some problems for Sabbath fans. If you listen to this album you will inevitably notice that it is terribly mixed. Even in the remaster version the sound quality is horrible.

Track Listing

1. Trashed
2. Stonehenge
3. Disturbing the Priest
4. The Dark
5. Zero the Hero
6. Digital Bitch
7. Born Again
8. Hot Line
9. Keep It Warm