Yesterday
& Today: Iommi w/ Glenn Hughes – The 1996 DEP Sessions
By Zane Ewton
This album requires some back story to
explain why the collaboration between Tony Iommi and Glenn Hughes is finally
being released after 8 years.
Iommi and Hughes went into the DEP studios
in Birmingham to work together for the first time since the Black Sabbath
release Seventh Star. The combination was able to record eight
tracks before Iommi was called back to a reformed and touring original
Black Sabbath.
The tracks recorded at DEP were put away
but a bootlegged version titled Eighth Star hit the record collections
of hardcore fans.
Earlier this year Iommi and Hughes were
able to revisit those songs, do some alterations and give the album an
official release with the 8 track The 1996 DEP Sessions.
Tony Iommi casts a vast shadow. He
has arguably done more for heavy metal than any other guitarist, I stress
the word arguably, and he has written some of the most recognizable riffs
in rock and roll. Glenn Hughes also has quite a few accomplishments,
notably his time singing and playing bass in Deep Purple.
Many artists are never able to pass or
even match their past accomplishments. While the DEP Sessions are
not as revolutionary as these guys past work, it is definitely an interesting
and rocking album. Iommi has branched out in his guitar work, including
some rarely recorded acoustic tracks. Don’t let that fool you though,
he can still write a fist pumping riff.
Hughes voice serves this music well, it
is sturdy and distinct. Iommi has always had interesting vocalists
to work with, and Glenn is no exception.
The songs are written well. They
are simply fine compositions. Strong songs are something that you
should come to expect from two men who have been writing music for about
40 years.
Fans of Eighth Star should enjoy
the improvements and slight tweaks of the official release and fans new
to the combination will be pleasantly surprised by this golden nugget that
almost never was.
CD Info
Iommi
w/ Glenn Hughes – The 1996 DEP Sessions
Label: Sanctuary
Rating:
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