The keyboardist Geoff Nicholls (R.I.P.) was part of Black Sabbath from 1979-2004, but often played offstage or sidestage live through most of his time - and he didn't appear in most of the videos of his era - despite helping with music, writing lyrics and live doing backing vocals. This is the title track to 1989's "Headless Cross" - the second album to feature singer Tony Martin, and first to feature drummer Cozy Powell (R.I.P.)and bassist Laurence Cottle - a jazz fusion bassist who had worked with Powell and Martin in the Forcefield II project and would later work with guitarist and Sabbath founder Tony Iommi on his first solo album "Iommi". Martin would be in the band from 1987-91 and again from 1993-97, and still is performing today - his most recent album "Thorns" was released last year, and his voice has held up well - despite some throat infections during the mid 90s.
4:02 Very much so! And this can be heard from the very beginning @ 1:57 - 1:59 especially when he says "and on through the mist"....being a keyboard fan, on first detecting it, I wondered if that was coming from the legendary Roland D50 known for its glassy and ethereal sounds! The D50 debuted in 1987 and this album is from 1989. In all likelihood, the keys were a production addition. But overall, what great performances here, not least being Tony Martin's superb vocal deliveries!
Interesting tidbit the bass player in the video did the session in the studio but was never an official member of the band and soon after Neil Murray joined the band to do the Headless Cross tour…..But yes Tony Martin was underrated as well as Cozy
You need to review immaculate Deception. Tony Martin is the most underrated vocalist of all time and cross purpose is the greatest album that failed not just for them but the music industry...
You heard the Ozzy era...then came the Ronnie James Dio era (incredible), then this one with Tony Martin (after RJD left to go solo) who does sound a bit like Ronnie. I never heard this one before, so it will be interesting to see what Tommy does with it. When you get a chance, check out one of the epics from the RJD era - "Heaven and Hell": ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5FRA7UXlGu8.html