BLACK SABBATH – Vicenza Italy 1973/02/22: FM Broadcast

February 1973. Black Sabbath are at the absolute peak of their powers. Fresh from delivering Master of Reality and Vol. 4 in consecutive years, they take their heaviest, most narcotic live show to Italy, and this FM broadcast from Vicenza captures them in full flight.

The setlist is a Sabbath devotee's dream: Sweet Leaf, Snowblind, War Pigs, and a ferocious Wicked World anchored by a Tony Iommi guitar solo that borders on the supernatural. Most compellingly, the set includes Killing Yourself to Live, a full year before its studio debut on Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, offering a rare glimpse of the song in its raw, live-forged form. Ozzy is in commanding voice throughout.

Released as a limited LP on Explosive Eardrums (EXPL 1973). An essential document of heavy metal at its most elemental.