Black Sabbath-Seventh Star (1986)

"Seventh Star" was originally intended to be guitarist Tony Iommi's first solo album, but it was ultimately released under the Black Sabbath name due to pressure from the record label Vertigo, who argued that sales would be higher if the album were released as Black Sabbath. With three-quarters of the original lineup gone, Iommi recruited bassist Glenn Hughes, drummer Eric Singer, and bassist Dave Spitz, while other musicians such as keyboardist Geoff Nicholls and vocalist Ray Gillen also participated in the recording sessions. A far cry from the doom and dark heavy metal sound of Black Sabbath, this album saw the guitarist opting for a more conventional, radio-friendly sound of classic rock and heavy metal. The energetic melodies of Tony Iommi's riffs, backed by Glenn Hughes's soulful vocals, and underpinned by a solid, powerful rhythm section, are the common thread of an album that, while not reaching the heights of the band's best work, remains a worthy heavy metal and hard rock album released in the 80s. It's an album comprised of a solid collection of songs, including the epic title track, the bluesy "Heart Like A Wheel", the powerful ballad "No Stranger To Love", the melodic rock of "Angry Heart", and the mighty heavy rock anthems "In For The Kill" and "Turn to Stone".