Cover #117: Extra Action Marching Band (ft. Robin Coomer) cover "War Pigs" by Black Sabbath

 Black Sabbath covers are numerous; indeed, this is at least the second marching band that I know of who has covered Sabbath (the other being Brown Sabbath).  I won't compare this group with Brown Sabbath, so let me focus on the cover at hand.  This is an entertaining, faithful cover.  The brass section mostly matches the original guitar solo, though not as faithfully or spectacularly as Frank Zappa's band did for "Stairway To Heaven" during his 1988 tour.  There is some really distracting "military radio traffic" that just about ruins the Luke's Wall part of the song.  The wind up at the end doesn't work either.  This cover is edible but not tasty.   ✅✅✅

Cover #104: The Cardigans cover "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath

 I remember reading about this cover before I heard it.  I assumed that with a band like The Cardigans taking on this song that it must be a novelty song, at least partly.  Thankfully, it is not.  The cute little indie band from Sweden makes this song sound like it was only ever an indie band song.  This version is original all the way- just a few references to remind you of the original, but otherwise everything is as fresh as springtime in Stockholm.  

✅✅✅✅✅

Cover #81: Moon Duo cover "Planet Caravan" by Black Sabbath

   Here is another cover from the really interesting tribute compilation on Sacred Bones records, What Is This That Stands Before Me?  Moon Duo's cover is the third in a row on this compilation with female vocals, not something that you might expect on Sabbath tribute album.  This cover is done in a late night chill motif, the kind of music you might hear late in the evening in the lobby of an upscale hotel (I mean that in the nicest way possible).  Moon Duo give us another surprise by repeating the vocals after the familiar outro guitar part.  Indeed, we end up with a nine minute cover, something that would not be surprising for "Iron Man" or "War Pigs" but is a unique approach to this song.  And guess what?  All nine minutes of this cover are put to good use.

✅✅✅✅

Cover #80: Thou cover "Supernaut" by Black Sabbath

    This cover comes from a compilation called What Is This That Stands Before Me?  on the excellent Sacred Bones label.  I don't know anything about the group Thou (I confess I haven't looked them up either).  They turn in a beefy, heavy version of "Supernaut" that would feel at home on the Nativity In Black compilations.  I'm not a fan of the black/death metal vocals, but the music is awesome, and there is an interesting little drum solo in the middle which is completely unnecessary and out of place, but I have to give these guy credit for adding a little oddity.

✅✅✅

Cover #60: Pantera covers "Planet Caravan" by Black Sabbath

 This version sticks pretty close to the original, but I prefer Phil's vocals.  Not only is the production cleaner (it ought to be, given the gap in years), but there is a lot more emotion.  Phil sings like this song is about a real journey, rather than a different kind of, um, trip.  Elsewhere, the cleaner production makes the guitar articulation and the bongos really pop.  An improvement, for certain.  ✅✅✅✅