BLACK SABBATH – ABILENE 1978 SOUNDBOARD (CD)

Description

Taylor County Coliseum, Abilene, TX 7th December 1978

　The upgraded version of “The Last Soundboard of the 70s” has arrived! It’s a super-definitive edition with three extremely rare bonus tracks from the legendary “Sabbath with Dave Walker” album, making it a permanent keepsake!

　The main focus of this work is a stereo soundboard recording of the “December 7, 1978 Abilene Performance.” This press CD includes an additional bonus track sung by Dave Walker. 1978 was the last year of the original SABBATH, accompanying “NEVER SAY DIE.” Since the “Dave Walker era” was also briefly included, let’s take a look back at the activities at the time and confirm the position of this work.

●1977
(April 22nd: End of TECHNICAL ECSTASY Tour)
(September: Ozzy Osbourne leaves → October: Dave Walker joins)
●1978
, January 6th: Appearance on “LOOK! HEAR!” ←★Bonus feature in this album★
(January: Walker leaves → Ozzy returns)
・May 16th-22nd: UK (6 shows)
・May 25th-June 19th: UK (20 shows) ←※Official footage
・August 22nd-September 30th: North America #1 (31 shows)
(September 29th: “NEVER SAY DIE!” released)
・October 9th-22nd: Europe (10 shows)
・November 3rd-December 11th: North America #2 (31 shows) ←★Main feature in this album★

[The highest peak update of the soundboard with super rare songs]
　This is BLACK SABBATH from 1977/1978. Speaking of the “NEVER SAY DIE Tour,” the official pro shot of the Hammersmith performance is famous, but this Abilene performance is six months later. It was the 28th performance of “North America # 2,” the final stage of the world tour. It was the final concert with four performances left before Ozzy left.

　The soundboard recorded at this show is also known as the last live recording of the 1970s. Our shop has been familiar with gift boards, but this work is the pinnacle of its popularity. It is a definitive edition that meticulously mastered the best existing masters. The basic Gene is not significantly different from the conventional, but the longer “Symptom Of The Universe” that starts with a fade-in is definitely a younger stage.

　Of course, that’s just evidence, and the sound that permeates the entire piece is what’s important. Although it’s not a type that advertises itself as “completely official!”, the direct-connected system has a powerful, extremely thick feel, and the sense of width that is wider than ever before is also wonderful. The previously slightly thin deep bass is also powerful, and the bass drum is powerful enough to kick up the five organs and shake the six viscera.

　The sound board, revived with such high quality, is the last brilliance of the golden age. The biggest and strongest point is the super rare song “Shock Waves”! It is a valuable song that was only performed at limited performances on the “NEVER SAY DIE Tour”, and it is not even included in the official Hammersmith video. This work is a one-of-a-kind sound board that records this extremely rare song.

[3 Bonus Tracks Sung by Dave Walker]
　The main track alone is heartwarming, but this album also includes three incredibly rare bonus tracks. All are Sabbath songs by the legendary second singer, Dave Walker. While AI technology was used to create them, this isn’t the trendy generated AI. Every note of the performance and vocals is authentic, performed by BLACK SABBATH.

　The first, “Junior’s Eyes (‘Look! Hear!’ Live),” is a studio live performance from an appearance on the TV show “Look! Hear!” and is Sabbath’s only live performance with Walker. While this live performance has been known for some time, this release was released on CD in late 2025 from a newly discovered pro-shot master and further refined with AI remastering. Once demixed, each instrument and vocal was individually refined, ensuring a permanent preservation of the highest updated quality.

　The second track is “Junior’s Eyes (1978 Vocal Remix),” which extracts Walker’s vocals from “Look! Hear!” and mixes them with the performance of “Junior’s Eyes” from the official album “NEVER SAY DIE!”. It’s a dream track that embodies the historical “what if” moment: “What if ‘NEVER SAY DIE!’ had been produced with Walker still in the lead role?”

　The final track, “She’s Gone (2018 Vocal Remix),” is Walker’s version of the classic ballad, created using the same techniques. The performance is, of course, the studio version from “TECHNICAL ECSTASY,” while the vocals are a mix of a take from his participation in the 2018 tribute project EMERALD SABBATH. The intensely sultry vocals bring out the allure of this classic ballad, making it a must-listen that transcends even the “ifs” of history.

　Four days after this album, Ozzy Osbourne left BLACK SABBATH after completing the “NEVER SAY DIE Tour.” The golden ’70s came to a close. This final live recording is a permanently preserved press CD with the highest peak sound. And it’s a miracle album that can be enjoyed right up to the illusory Dave Walker era. Please choose this album for the start of Sabbath in 2026.

This stereo soundboard recording from the December 7, 1978 Abilene concert features the extremely rare track “Shock Waves.” This definitive edition features meticulous mastering of the best existing masters, plus three bonus tracks featuring Dave Walker. In particular, “Junior’s Eyes (1978 Vocal Remix)” and “She’s Gone (2018 Vocal Remix),” which feature Walker’s vocals mixed with Sabbath studio recordings, are truly rare treasures, available only on this release.

(63:28)
1. Symptom Of The Universe
2. Snowblind
3. War Pigs
4. Never Say Die
5. MC
6. Black Sabbath
7. Shock Waves
8. Dirty Women
9. Rock ‘n’ Roll Doctor

DAVE WALKER TRACKS
10. Junior’s Eyes (‘Look! Hear!’ Live)

Live at BBC Midlands TV 6th January 1978
11. Junior’s Eyes (1978 Vocal Remix)
12. She’s Gone (2018 Vocal Remix)

STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING