16. Seventh Star (1986)

Seventh Star, featuring vocalist Glenn Hughes, was set to become Iommi’s first solo record, but label pressure from Warners forced him to release it under the name Black Sabbath. It’s an interesting, albeit imperfect, listen and Hughes’ only outing with the band. Since Iommi never thought Seventh Star would be called a Black Sabbath album it sounds nothing like you’d expect. Still, there are moments when Iommi and his collaborators, including keyboardist Geoff Nicholls, touch the blues and improvisational spirit that made Sabbath’s debut compelling. Seventh Star shows Iommi’s growth as a musician and the multiple facets of his musical prowess; he could have easily been a virtuoso bluesman had he not pursued a darker course. However, it’s not nearly as compelling as earlier Black Sabbath material. In retrospect, this album would have been much better served — and better appreciated — if released solo.