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Cross Purposes
Studio album by Black Sabbath
Released	February 8, 1994
Recorded	???
Genre	Heavy metal
Length	46:53
Label	I.R.S. EMI
Producer(s)	Black Sabbath
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link
Black Sabbath chronology
Dehumanizer (1992)	Cross Purposes (1994)	Cross Purposes Live (1995)

Cross Purposes was released by British heavy metal band Black Sabbath in 1994. It is the follow-up to their 1992 release, Dehumanizer.

Dehumanizer saw the reunion of Mob Rules-era Black Sabbath, but after the tour, Ronnie James Dio (vocals) and Vinny Appice (drums) departed. They were replaced by former Sabbath vocalist Tony Martin and former Rainbow drummer Bobby Rondinelli. Eddie Van Halen is the un-credited co-author of the song "Evil Eye"; contractual obligations prevent him from getting credit. Originally he was to play on the song, but scheduling conflicts prevented this.

The song "Cardinal Sin" was originally intended to be titled "Sin Cardinal Sin" (or "Sin, Cardinal Sin") but a printing error on the album sleeve caused the first word to be removed. Sabbath simply adopted the title "Cardinal Sin" as the name of the song.

Musically, this is as close to a "classic" Sabbath sound as they would get in their I.R.S. years; some even consider this album a "lost classic". During the writing process of Cross Purposes, Geezer Butler came up with material that was heavier than some of the first couple of songs, but claims Tony Martin absolutely refused to allow it, even going so far as saying it "sounds like Pantera". Tony denies having ever said this. The production is crystal clear, allowing all instruments to be heard, and some reviews state than while the band itself is very tight and focused, the duo of Iommi and Butler are probably the tightest and best displayed.

Lyrically, this is almost like a combination of Headless Cross (some lyrics having Satanic connotations) and future album Forbidden (other lyrics exploring social awareness).

"What's the Use?" was released on the Japanese edition of Cross Purposes only.

1. "I Witness" – 4:56
2. "Cross of Thorns" – 4:32
3. "Psychophobia" – 3:15
4. "Virtual Death" – 5:49
5. "Immaculate Deception" – 4:15
6. "Dying for Love" – 5:53
7. "Back to Eden" – 3:57
8. "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" – 4:30
9. "Cardinal Sin" – 4:21
10. "Evil Eye" – (Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Tony Martin, Edward Van Halen) 5:58
11. "What's the Use?" (Japanese bonus track) – 3:03

All songs were written by Butler/Iommi/Martin.

Except as indicated

• Tony Martin - vocals
• Tony Iommi - guitars
• Geoff Nicholls - keyboards
• Geezer Butler - bass
• Bobby Rondinelli - drums

• Cross Purposes at Black Sabbath Online

v • d • e Black Sabbath

Ozzy Osbourne • Tony Iommi • Geezer Butler • Bill Ward Dave Walker • Ronnie James Dio • Vinny Appice • Ian Gillan • Bev Bevan • David Donato • Glenn Hughes • Dave Spitz • Eric Singer • Ray Gillen • Tony Martin • Bob Daisley • Jo Burt • Terry Chimes • Laurence Cottle • Cozy Powell • Neil Murray • Bobby Rondinelli • Mike Bordin • Geoff Nicholls Discography Studio albums: Black Sabbath • Paranoid • Master of Reality • Black Sabbath, Vol. 4 • Sabbath Bloody Sabbath • Sabotage • Technical Ecstasy • Never Say Die! • Heaven and Hell • Mob Rules • Born Again • Seventh Star • The Eternal Idol • Headless Cross • Tyr • Dehumanizer • Cross Purposes • Forbidden Live albums: Live Evil • Cross Purposes Live • Reunion • Past Lives Compilations: We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' Roll • Under Wheels of Confusion • The Sabbath Stones • Symptom of the Universe: The Original Black Sabbath 1970-1978 • Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath (1970-1978) • Greatest Hits 1970-1978 • Black Sabbath: The Dio Years