P) is a label that specializes in the audio and video re-mastering and restoration of classic rock performances (from the biggest bands the genre has to offer) for DVD presentation. Classic Rock Productions has carved quite a niche for itself, as music fans of all ages have been clamoring to catch vintage rock performances with completely re-mastered, better-than-CD surround sound in the privacy of their living rooms. Classic Rock Productions has recently launched a new series of cutting edge digital documentaries, dubbed the Inside series, that explores the history of Rock N Roll’s greatest icons. The label promises such 1 and 2 disc special editions that chronicle the careers of PINK FLOYD, THE WHO, LED ZEPPELIN, DEEP PURPLE, and many others. One of the more recent releases is called INSIDE BLACK SABBATH 1970-1992 which explores the history of everyone’s favorite British heavy metal pioneers—Tony Iommi, Terry Butler, Bill Ward, and the inimitable Ozzy Osbourne (and their replacement lineups including the likes of Ronnie James Dio and others).

INSIDE BLACK SABBATH traces the roots, history, and line-up changes (vocalists primarily) these Birmingham, U.K. Rock legends have gone through over the years. Rock journalists and musicians Jeffrey Ewing, Neil Murray, Tommy Vance, and RAINBOW vocalist Doogie White examine each album put out by the band and critique both the strengths and weaknesses of each album. They give insight into the formative years of BLACK SABBATH, when Ozzy, Geezer, Iommi, and Ward were forging an identity for themselves, which ultimately became the blueprint for other hard rockers of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s to follow. As INSIDE BLACK SABBATH unfolds, the Rock critics comments are underlined visually by classic performances of Ozzy era doing the live thing. With the exception of the SABBATH BLOODY SABBATH promo, BLACK SABBATH fans should know that all the concert footage shown here is drawn from the classic Beat Club appearances, the Never Say Die 1978 tour, and the Paris 1970s show. There are interviews with Tony Iommi, taken from the CAREFUL WITH THAT AXE series, that are cleverly edited into the feature. INSIDE BLACK SABBATH closes with an examination of the Tony Martin era, and every single video clip is borrowed from the CROSS PURPOSES Live 1994 concert video.

So despite the promise of ultra-rare SABBATH footage that is stated on the packaging, there really is nothing new here that SABBATH fans have not seen before. In fact, the entire documentary is very similar in tone and content to the Sanctuary Music’s THE BLACK SABBATH STORY Volumes 1 and 2 (with a couple exceptions we’ll explain later). In some cases THE BLACK SABBATH STORY, despite all its faults, is superior to INSIDE BLACK SABBATH because the former covers every album and line-up completely. Thats right, INSIDE BLACK SABBATH doesn’t even mention the Ian Gillan-fronted BORN AGAIN, the Glenn Hughes-fronted SEVENTH STAR, or the 1992 Dio reunion album, DEHUMANIZER. They go right from THE MOB RULES to the Tony Martin era. The documentary also leaves out the revolving doors of musicians including the likes of Cozy Powell, Vinnie Appice, Dan Spitz, Eric Singer and others. When the documentary covers the Tony Martin era, each critic over-praises the work of the two Tonys (this is the line-up which should have been billed as THE TONY IOMMI PROJECT and not BLACK SABBATH).

Here are the songs and live excerpts in chronological order:

* Black Sabbath (Beat Club 1970)
* NIB (Paris 1970)
* Behind the Wall of Sleep (Paris 1970)
* Paranoid (Beat Club 1970)
* Hand of Doom (Paris 1970)
* Children of the Grave (Cal Jam 1973)
* Snowblind (NEVER SAY DIE 1978)
* Symptom of the Universe (NEVER SAY DIE Tour 1978)
* Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (promo)
* Its Alright (1978)
* Hard Road (NEVER SAY DIE Tour 1978)
* Neon Knights (promo)
* Die Young (promo)
* Headless Cross (CROSS PURPOSES Live 1994)
* Anno Mundi (CROSS PURPOSES Live 1994)
* Into the Void (CROSS PURPOSES Live 1994)
* Mob Rules (CROSS PURPOSES Live 1994)
* Children of the Grave (CROSS PURPOSES Live 1994)

An excellent selection of BLACK SABBATH classics, huh? Unfortunately, Classic Rock Productions only plays a minute or two from each song. While THE BLACK SABBATH STORY is not really a good documentary of the band, at least each song is played in it’s entirety (with the exception of Volume 2 that is). Here we get just enough of each song to underscore the points made by the ever-changing roster of critics. However, we have to admit that solely as a documentary of Ozzy, Dio, Butler, Iommi, Ward, and company, INSIDE BLACK SABBATH is superior to THE BLACK SABBATH STORY. The critics here know what they are talking about and provide a lot of anecdotes and details. After exploring the groups history, the documentary poses the question: Who was the best vocalist for BLACK SABBATH: Ozzy, Dio, or Martin? This is a very foolish way to end the feature, especially as they completely leave out Ian Gillan & Glenn Hughes as contenders. So these critics ring in their opinion on the subject. Any true SABBATH fan knows that Ozzy Osbourne is the number one man for the band, so why even bring it up?

INSIDE BLACK SABBATH is presented in full frame format. As mentioned earlier, all the live footage is collected from the classic Beat Club appearances, the NEVER SAY DIE 1978 tour, the Paris 1970 show, and the CROSS PURPOSES 1994 Tour. The quality varies according to the source, with the CROSS PURPOSES having the highest quality because it is the most recent. In contrast, the four songs from the Paris 1970 show is incredibly dark and murky, and you barely make out the original line-up delivering the goods. The Cal Jam footage is a little better, but not much. The professionally filmed NEVER SAY DIE songs are very good. So much of the footage from INSIDE BLACK SABBATH features an abundance of murky visuals, scratches, and blemishes. Here is where the disc shines: Classic Rock Productions re-masters all this excellent live footage into DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks. Even the scratchy old footage from 1970 sounds excellent! Both soundtracks are powerful with great depth and clarity. The surround mix is heavily anchored to the front soundstage, with not a lot of overdone musical activity emanating from the rear speakers. Iommi’s guitar riffs take center stage with the vocals cutting through the fuzzy guitars and the crushingly heavy bottom end. One problem I had with the audio presentation is that the journalists talk over the performance footage—so of course the tunes are "drowned out" to accommodate the commentators. So the effect of the digital surround mix is kind of a tease that is never completely fulfilled if you know what I mean. INSIDE BLACK SABBATH is also completely lacking in extras.

To summarize, INSIDE BLACK SABBATH is the best SABBATH documentary currently available. But there are a few flaws with the overall structure of the doc. The DVD is subtitled 1970 to 1992, yet the program overlooks several key moments in SABBATH history mentioned above in this review. Despite the promise of ultra-rare footage on the packaging, its the same old stuff we’ve all seen before. Technically, the DVD really shines with the dynamic DTS 5.1 and DD 5.1 surround sound options. Despite all the problems, BLACK SABBATH purists will want to purchase this DVD for collectors purposes.

 INSIDE BLACK SABBATH is available from DVDEmpire.com