From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Eternal Idol
Studio album by Black Sabbath
Released	November 1, 1987
Recorded	1987
Genre	Heavy metal
Length	42:42
Label	Vertigo (UK) Warner Bros. (US) Castle (UK) 1996 Sanctuary (UK) 2004
Producer(s)	Jeff Glixman, Vic Coppersmith-Heaven & Chris Tsangerides
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link
Black Sabbath chronology
Seventh Star (1986)	The Eternal Idol (1987)	Headless Cross (1989)

The Eternal Idol is the thirteenth studio album by Black Sabbath. It was recorded and released in 1987. It is the first of several Black Sabbath albums to feature longtime vocalist Tony Martin.

The album was originally to be recorded with vocalist Ray Gillen, who quit the band shortly after the initial sessions on Montserrat with producer Jeff Glixman . Martin was hired and reconstructed the vocals shortly before production ended. Most tracks were written by Tony Iommi and bassist/lyricist Bob Daisley, although some lyrics were subsequently modified by Geoff Nicholls and Tony Martin after he joined the band.

The album cover was intended to feature a picture of an Auguste Rodin sculpture also called "The Eternal Idol." However, the album cover actually features two naked models covered in paint and positioned to resemble the piece of art because, legend has it, permission to photograph the actual sculpture could not be secured.

Despite the sleeve credits all bass parts were completed by Bob Daisley, and Eric Singer completed all drum parts. The 'precussion' credit to Bev Bevan relates to a few cymbal overdubs on "Scarlet Pimpernel"

1. "The Shining" – 5:38
2. "Ancient Warrior" – 5:34
3. "Hard Life to Love" – 5:00
4. "Glory Ride" – 4:48
5. "Born to Lose" – 3:43
6. "Nightmare" – 5:17
7. "Scarlet Pimpernel" – 2:07
8. "Lost Forever" – 4:00
9. "Eternal Idol" – 6:35

The album credit states 'All songs written by Tony Iommi' but the lyrics were not his, having been writtten in the main by Daisley, with some contributions from Nicholls. However, this apparent omission in the credits was known to Daisley, having been part of the agreement.

• Tony Martin - vocals
• Tony Iommi - guitars
• Geoff Nicholls – keyboard
• Dave Spitz - bass guitar (credited, but does not actually appear on the album)
• Bob Daisley - bass guitar
• Eric Singer - drums
• Bev Bevan - percussion

• Eternal Idol at Black Sabbath Online
• Sample tracks at Rolling Stone