Geezer Butler believes 'Never Say Die!' is 'easily' his worst album with Black Sabbath
He also reveals his favourite record
Last updated 24th Apr 2023
Geezer Butler has singled ‘Never Say Die!’ out as “easily the worst” album he recorded with Black Sabbath.
To promote his upcoming memoir ‘Into the Void: From Birth to Black Sabbath – and Beyond’, Geezer recently spoke to Metal Edge about his fabled music career.
During the chat, Geezer explains why he believes 1978’s ‘Never Say Die!’ stands out as his least favourite Black Sabbath album.
Asked how he views Black Sabbath’s albums from the late 70s, Geezer said: “Definitely not in the same way I view the earlier records. And I will say that Never Say Die! is easily the worst album we did.
“The reason for that is we tried to manage ourselves and produce the record ourselves. We wanted to do it on our own, but in truth, not one of us had a single clue about what to do.
“By that point, we were spending more time with lawyers and in court rather than being in the studio writing. It was just too much pressure on us, and the writing suffered.”
It’s worth noting that Geezer Butler didn’t appear on a number of Black Sabbath albums including ‘Seventh Star’, ‘The Eternal Idol’, ‘Headless Cross’, ‘Tyr’ and ‘Forbidden.’
Elsewhere during his Metal Edge interview, Geezer singled out 1970’s ‘Paranoid’ as his favourite Black Sabbath album.
“(‘Paranoid’) was a totally complete album,” Geezer enthused. “It wasn't forced, and the chemistry between the four of us was so fluid. I remember getting together to do that record, and we wrote literally everything immediately.
“Each song came together so easily and had such fire. And each time we would go into rehearsal, we'd come out with a completed song. I think that's why that album is special, because of how naturally things came together.
“It was the most organic record that Sabbath – in any era – ever made. It was completely natural, as it should have been.”
Geezer’s autobiography ‘Into the Void: From Birth to Black Sabbath – and Beyond’ is released on 6th June 2023.
The bassist and songwriter says: “After spending my entire life creating memories, to eventually set aside how reserved I am, I have put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).
“The recollection of my life (thus far) is coming out 6/6/23. Yes I know that 2x3=6. Although unintentional, having that as a release date suits me fine.”
Ozzy Osbourne released his autobiography I Am Ozzy in 2009, and Tony Iommi followed two years later with his memoir Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath.
Ronnie James Dio’s autobiography Rainbow in the Dark, which he’d partially written before his untimely death in 2010, was released in 2021.