Headless Cross is Black Sabbath's fourteenth studio album and their first for I.R.S. Records, released in April 1989. This is the 2024 remaster on a single LP with a lyric sheet, issued on its own in November 2024 after first appearing in the Anno Domini 1989–1995 box set. Tony Iommi and Cozy Powell produced it, and the sleeve dates the sessions to August to November 1988 at Soundmill, Woodcray and Amazon Studios.
It was Tony Martin's second album as the band's singer and the first with Powell on drums. Laurence Cottle played bass as a session musician and Geoff Nicholls played keyboards. Queen's Brian May guests with the guitar solo on When Death Calls. According to Martin, the vocal on Nightwing is his original guide take, kept because Iommi preferred it.
The lyrics lean heavily on the occult, and the title comes from the Worcestershire village where Martin was living at the time. Kevin Wimlett designed and drew the cover.
Tracklist
Side One
- The Gates Of Hell
- Headless Cross
- Devil & Daughter
- When Death Calls
Side Two
- Kill In The Spirit World
- Call Of The Wild
- Black Moon
- Nightwing
Release details
| Artist | Black Sabbath |
| Album | Headless Cross |
| Format | 1 x LP |
| Audio | 2024 remaster |
| Label | Warner Records / Rhino |
| Catalogue | R1 727159 |
| Included | Lyric sheet |
| Produced by | Tony Iommi and Cozy Powell |
| Engineer / Mixed by | Sean Lynch |
| Post-production | Jeremy Lewis (EQ and the Nightwing remix) |
| Recorded | Soundmill, Woodcray and Amazon Studios, August to November 1988 |
| Cover design | Kevin Wimlett |
| Inside layout | Flat Earth |
| Original release | I.R.S. Records EIRSA 1002, April 1989 |
| Pressed in | Germany |
| Condition | New, factory sealed |
| Genre | Heavy metal |
Frequently asked questions
Is this the 2024 remaster?
Yes. The hype sticker describes it as a 2024 remaster of the classic 1989 LP and lists a lyric sheet with this edition. The same remaster first appeared in the Anno Domini 1989–1995 box set.
Who plays the guitar solo on When Death Calls?
Brian May of Queen, as a guest on that track. The back sleeve credits Tony Iommi on guitars.
Is the record sealed?
Yes, it arrives factory sealed and unplayed.
Sealed and brand new, shipped from our Bangalore stockroom with a stiffener and a fitted mailer so the sleeve corners survive the journey. If you are new to the format, our record player buying guide covers what you need to play it.
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