Born Again (Black Sabbath album)

Born Again is the eleventh studio album by English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released in August 1983. It is the only album to feature former Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan.

The album marked a significant lineup change for Black Sabbath following the departures of Ronnie James Dio and Vinny Appice after the Mob Rules tour. Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler sought a new direction and, after brief consideration of other vocalists, chose Gillan, hoping his blues-influenced style would revitalize the band. Bill Ward returned on drums after a three-album absence.

Born Again is characterized by its dark, heavy sound, complex song structures, and themes of mythology and religious allegory. While the album retains some of the progressive elements of previous Sabbath releases, it also incorporated a more experimental approach, partially influenced by Gillan's vocal style.

The album's controversial cover art, featuring a demonic baby, was widely criticized and is considered one of the worst album covers in rock history. Despite the negative reaction to the artwork, Born Again was commercially successful, reaching number 4 in the UK and number 39 in the US.

Notable tracks include "Trashed," inspired by an incident involving Gillan crashing Bill Ward's car, "Disturbing the Priest," known for its fast tempo and demonic imagery, and the epic title track, "Born Again."

The Born Again era was short-lived. Ian Gillan left Black Sabbath after the subsequent tour to rejoin Deep Purple. While the album remains a controversial entry in Black Sabbath's discography, its unique sound and lineup have earned it a cult following.