Black Sabbath’s Forgotten Gem: Revisiting Seventh Star (1986)

Black Sabbath’s 1986 album Seventh Star. Originally intended as a Tony Iommi solo project, this record became a unique chapter in the band’s history. Featuring Glenn Hughes on vocals, Seventh Star blends bluesy roots, melodic rock, and Sabbath’s signature riffs. Discover the album’s highlights, its legacy, and why it remains an underrated gem.

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Thank you everyone for being part of my journey and supporting me. Phil :)
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

[stevenhanson]

I had it on vinyl and transferred it to CD-R like 20 years ago. And forgot about it. I will now go in the basement and dig it out and re-visit this. And leave you with this. Can you imagine a Glenn Hughes all inclusive BOX-SET ? It would be humongous.

[garystinson]

Forgotten gem indeed. Fine album. Still remember buying it from Woolworths.

[normaclay]

If I may say so phil, this video highlights just why your show is the best for your reviews, such passion, and yes you are absolutely on the money in describing what happened to us rockers on Friday night .Finish work, Bath, tea, in the pub with rock mates by 7/30 😂
The album was brought back in the day and I agree with everything you said in your review
BRILlANT stuff phil, loved every minute, raised such a smile, thank you 🎸🎸🎸🎸

[jublaim]

Wonderful album! What a turn from the so-so Born Again! Bought the vinyl and cassette back then.

[SJHUE]

I still have the original vinyl and play it from time to time. Toni Iommi is as you say the Riff Master!

[musicnotherdrugs]

I'm only 36, so I got into this album without experiencing the public reaction in real time. I've always loved the blend of Glenn's voice with Tony's guitar, especially on "Heart Like a Wheel." I was fortunate to interview Glenn following the release of Black Country Communion's second album and he mentioned how much he enjoyed working on "Seventh Star" even though he admitted to spending most of his time at the bar. It always amazes me how great he sounds given his addiction struggles at the time.

[stavivanackerson]

I got really lucky a couple years back Mr. Aston. I found a new and used record store in Texas online... They had a sealed copy of Black Sabbath Seventh Star vinyl for 25 dollars US... I jumped on it.... It was brand spanking new and never opened... I was so stoked.... I still am every time I SPIN

[pauldebellis]

Oh Phil you keep bringing me back. Yes I have the original vinyl of Seventh Star, overly excited at the time my two fave musos were working together, having just been 'born again' hearing Glen with Gary Moore on Run For cover and the brilliant Hughes/Thrall. And Tony being a hero, and having every Sab album and seen two recent Dio era shows, I was chuffed. This was different. Blues, metal, dirge; No Stranger to Love and Danger Zone hit hard and this album became personal...It brings me back to that time of mystique and having a personal spiritual connection with my musical heroes. Also on my playlist at the time Under Wraps, Tull; Misdemeanour, UFO; Sacred Heart, Dio. I was always right there with you. -Paul, Toronto Canada

[HaakonOdinsson]

A vastly underrated album. I love it and have it in my collection, as OP, reissue and the cd. Nice one Phil 🫡

[markkaminski]

Hi Phil, yes a great album, I have the original on viyl, Canadian pressing, and also the deluxe cd which is pretty hard to find now, and. yep he did want it to be a solo album especially as he was the the only original on it, and of cause it was the record company stupid idea & putting Featuring Tony Iommi was mire madness But it was a fantastic album, with a brilliant Glenn Hughes, addicted to Mars Bars at the time. There are a few clips with Glenn on YouTube and pretty shall do have a live bootleg concert with Glenn. Top notch review again Phil Can not wait for the Rerelease of Born Again as well keep up the great reviews.🤘

[jonjackson]

When this album first came out I got it on cassette. I always liked it, but over the years my fondness of Seventh Star has grown into an absolute love for the entire album. I since have bought it on vinyl and now I have to go listen to it again, inspired by your enthusiasm. I also deeply love the last 2 tracks on side 2. Glenn’s vocals are exquisite in their emotive expression! Must seek out that double CD edition. Thanks, Phil!

[drewmarshall]

Love the breakdown in Danger Zone, and the chunky riff afterwards, the whole album is underated

[darcyska]

As always, I appreciate the discussion of the music just as much as the context and the discussion AROUND the music!

[guillermomaldonado]

Love this album, power and elegance perfectly combined. And to me, the same applies to all 80's Sabbath/Iommi albums 🍺🤘

[dylanbshelton]

Black Sabbath are one of my all time favorite bands but having said that, I've never listened to this album. For whatever reason I've just always skipped over it. I've recently become a fan of the Tony Martin era since the release of the box set, so maybe after a listen to this album the same will happen again. I love hearing your stories of growing up in England and being in the Rock scene back in the day. It sounded like a great time to be around. That was way before my time though. Thanks for this video, Phil! Looking forward to the next one.
- Dylan

[barth]

Boy were you ever right Phil; pulled this album out (hadn't listened to it in years), Man are there some great tunes on it (like the pummeling "Danger Zone")... Cheers!!

[swede]

Loved it in 86….still love it.Great album!

[AJAndyO]

Fantabulistic!!
Got the vinyl, when it came out, and still got it. Got several different CD versions, too. I’m a huge fan of Glenn, too. So, this is one of my fav Sabs albums. Love it!
I remember having it on my Walkman, and having it playing everywhere I went, on the bus.
🤘😎🤘

[StephenHennessy-yh]

This is a magnificent album both Tony Iommi and Glenn Hughes were on fire in 1986 alongside Geoff Nicholls, Eric Singer Dave Spitz and Ray Gillen brought this in 2004 and the deluxe edition in 2010 and the deluxe edition sounds more polished more loud than the 1996 remaster i absolutely love in for the kill, turn to stone, danger zone, seventh star and no stranger to love the alternate mix and especially live at Hammersmith Oden with Ray Gillen especially when he sings Black Sabbath just purely perfection and Seventh Star live just loved it this came out around the same time Ozzy Osbourne's The Ultimate Sin and even that got high praise but Seventh Star has the ingredients of Heavy Metal Blues and Hard Rock i give this 10 out of 10 because this shows what kind of guitarist Tony Iommi is and what kind of Vocalist Glenn Hughes is with his blues soul and rock influence but I would have loved for Glenn Hughes to play bass on this album on offence to Dave Splitz and Glenn Hughes playing bass in Deep Purple with Burn, Stormbringer and Come Taste The Band is perfect this would have shown what kind of bass player he would have brought to the table but overall I love this album

[TheAzraelCrowley]

I can share my story about this special album, this was my very first introduction to Black Sabbath. Today i am 45 but back in 1986 i would have been 6 years old and my birthday is same birthday as David Byron(Uriah Heep) Jan.29th i had heard some kids on the school bus talk about Ozzy and Black Sabbath, now i knew about Ozzy as a solo artist because at the time he was, but then i heard some kids mention Ozzy and Sabbath so i asked my dad to get me a Black Sabbath cassette for my seventh birthday. Well my dad went to a local record store here in Canada (Sam the record man) and probably picked it out from a "New Releases" wall or shelf. I never questioned why Ozzy wasn't on it and just enjoyed the album as is, i remember quite liking the title track "In for the kill" and "Turn to Stone" with the classic Iommi chugging riffs. "Seventh Star" and "Heart like a Wheel" have some great soloing from the riff master. The album had left an indelible mark on me but it was years later (my mid to late teens) when i rediscovered and learned to listen to Black Sabbath "properly" that i revisited this album. This is when i discovered that my favorite tracks from this record are the last two tracks "Angry Heart/In Memory" the slow tempo "doom metal" like chugging riffs. I always thought it would make a great song to cover, anyway there isn't much else to say i agree with you Iommi is Sabbath !