Black Sabbath – Paranoid

"Hi, does anyone have this edition and the Earmark one of 'Black Sabbath'? I'd like to confirm if it sounds as good as the latter."

10 songs, 10 hits, Metal begins. Good remastering and remix, good pressing.

Its not as bad as the Rhino HF KPG debut which was an unpleasant demo disc of maximum brightness and ear fatigue, but this one still cant even touch my QRP pressed 2019 (2016 Magee repress) boggo reissue. Sure, its got the clarity that "high-fidelity" would promise but it comes at a price.... a lack of meat on the bones and too much brightness in the treble/presence. In fact as soon as Ozzy starts singing on War Pigs this cut is fighting a battle it cant win. Ozzy sounds thin and harsh/sibilant. He sounds likes a facsimile of himself. At least the snares and toms and some midrange elements seem clearer than ever before but yet again the bass is lacking meat so you dont get the best of both. This cut is one step forward and two steps back across all three of my systems. Just because its got KPG in the deadwax, doesnt mean its the "best pressing ever".

My experience with the Rhino Hifi series is very straightforward... the cut will either be my favourite pressing out of two or more ive got, or by far my least favourite. This one goes to the back of the pack/soon to be sold crew.

Clearly im in a minority lol

Full, rich sound. No brightness. Colour life and dynamics. Everything the Rhino Hifi fails at, this gets right!

mine sounds absolutely amazing! massive sound with drums and guitar that hit you hard in the face! cant speak for others but mine had a tad bit of surface noise only visible between songs and only effected planet caravan a little bit. bur overall I'm satisfied and is absolutely worth it for the 40 USD i paid for it.

My copy has the laminated cover, side A is 6360011 1Y//1▽420 1 5 7, side B is 6360011 2Y//1▽420 11 27.
I don't know if it's from 1971, as indicated by Discogs, or from 1970, I only know that it devastatingly destroys my Rhino High Fidelity copy and the Japanese pressing NEMS – SP18-5011 from 1980!!
An ancestral, visceral and turbid sound that enters your soul.

I'm imprest ! This got the guts, clarity and dynamic. Perfect !
I have, long time ago, the first French pressing wich I, still like; it retains the gloom from the originals but with clarity. Unfortunatly it has many hairlines and this results to many clics and pops...beacause of the shi**y paper sleeve...pfffff. Always wanted to find a clean copy ( or the first US green press) but now good luck with actual prices...
I have listen to the first UK (once/was in bad shape), first German (youtube), first green label US Warner (lossless copy) and of the course the first French and a later copy (end of 70's). Always preferd the French...and the green US wich is probably mixed differently.

This, for me, is a significative step further and probably the definitive version. So vivid !
Quality printed cover and nice booklet; analog remaster and nicely pressed......Homerun ! We want more like that !

N°1: This one
N°2: First French / First US
N°3: First UK

I do agree this is outstanding sounding but my US cream label from the late 70s, which is mint, ain't too far behind and is still very exciting. I'm a little torn between the two to be honest. This rhino is just slightly more refined and cleaner sounding but not to the utmost extreme. The guitar on the rhino sounds a tad louder and has more crunch to it as well. I'm curious what people hear when comparing to mint condition Artisan green label pressings.

If you can't get your hands on the recent Rhino Hi Fi, this is an excellent lower cost option. Excellent sonics! AAA.

I have a UK 1973 'Spaceship' press and the lauded 1980 Japanese NEMS. This is at least as good as either of those (more expensive) pressings. Honestly, this unnumbered edition is an absolute no-brainer; take it from someone who has gone through MANY pressings of this album.