Good morning, class. Today, we are going to continue our discussion on the evolution of metal. Our topic for today is, "Geezer Butler: man, or myth?" You will recall that when you walked through the doors of the Peacedogman University today, you walked under words etched in stone that read, "E-Sabbicus Unum", which means, "Get your SABBATH on!" Although we learned weeks ago that the mythical band BLACK SABBATH was real at some time years past, their godly members live on in today's society. We learned that vocalist Ozzy Osbourne has been involved in a few other musical related projects, some good, some not-so-good. Six-stringer Tony Iommi has also had his share of post-SABBATH musical adventures, with mixed results. It is time to move on to the man responsible for the low-end in the SABBATH hymnal, namely Mr. Geezer Butler. You all know that Geezer's fretwork on the SABBATH releases are the stuff of legends. The way he made his bass burble, and his fingering gave the old SABBATH tunes a new dimension; a deeper sound that many have tried to emulate. His playing on classics like "War Pigs" are what made me pick up the bass guitar for the first time. Today, I am here to tell you about Mr. Butler's latest release, "Ohmwork".

Let's get one thing straight right off the bat. This is not supposed to sound like BLACK SABBATH. That being said, we should discuss the record. Geezer started out his solo career much differently than the other guys, in that he went for an entirely modern flavor for his music. This is not some kind of rap-core shit either. Geezer started out his solo career with 95's "Plastic Planet", (the band was called G//Z/R), and followed it up with 97's "Black Science" (the band was called GEEZER) and now is simply known as GZR. The album is top-notch stuff. The production, the guitar work from original member Pedro Howse, the solid drumming from Chad Smith (not the chili-pepper pansy! He was the drummer in a little band called ANACRUSIS!) and on bass is....well anyway, Geezer produced this thing, and Toby Wright was on the mixer, (he has been involved with SLAYER, ALICE IN CHAINS, PRIMUS and SEVENDUST). This combo seems to work very well. The songwriting is solid, the vocals are superb. Clark Brown, who also was on "Black Science" has a great range for this modern-type metal. He can take it slow and soft, but also cause hearing loss with his nu-metal screams and barks.

Altogether an excellent effort if you take into account that this is not BLACK SABBATH. "I Believe" starts out on the soft side, but evolves into a mind numbing riff and bark fest that will leave you on the floor. Then "Aural Sects" will kick you alternatively in the kidneys. Here is my only beef about the effort: I know that this is not supposed to be remotely related to SABBATH, but do ya think we could have more of the Geezer signature bass runs and fingerwork? I mean just a little? I'm not talking "Fairies Wear Boots" or anything, but sheesh! Anyway, next week's lecture will be on the subject of Bill Ward, entitled "Bill Ward, is he alive or is he just sleeping?" Class dismissed!

- Murtaugh

OFFICIAL SITE: www.geezerbutler.com

RELATED ITEMS: No related articles at this time.