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Yes, Black Sabbath once had a singer called Ozzy Osbourne and I would be the first to admit that some of the early stuff is in many respects superior to everything else that's out there. But man, despite an ever changing lineup, those Sabbath records from the 80's and 90's were awesome for the most part. Metal behemoths with titanic riffs, classy songs and astonishing vocal work from a host of some of metal's finest throats.

I just read the EXCELLENT "Never Say Die" biography on Black Sabbath 1979-1997 by Garry Sharpe Young, for the second time. It's a highly recommended read for anyone with the faintest interest in Black Sabbath. It goes into great detail about the recordings of every single album in this period, and also sheds all light imaginable on mysteries like the sessions with David Donato on vocals in 1984, Jeff Fenholt's involvement in what was to be the Seventh Star album, when Tony Martin was brought in to re-record the vocals for Dehumanizer etc, a lot of behind the scens stuff. Fascinating from the first page to the last.

Now, I thought I'd make a poll out of this; which is the best non Ozzy fronted Black Sabbath record? I excluded Heaven and Hell because I figured most people (me included) would go for that one.

After much pondering I went with Headless Cross. It has some flaws and I was thinking that maybe Tyr, The Eternal Idol and The Mob Rules were more solid albums, but there's just no beating the first side of the Headless Cross vinyl. The title song, Devil and Daughter and When Death Calls… immortal stuff. And I think that Tony Martin delivers one of the most awe inspiring vocal performances on a metal record ever in "When Death Calls".

Pretty ease for me to choose, Headless Cross and Tyr are not only the best 80s BS albums, they are the best BS albums GENERALLY and also among my 5 best metal albums EVER. There is NOT a single song which i don't adore on these two LPs. All slay. Tony Martin is God, the guy is simply unbelievable, his performance on tracks like When death calls, Odin's court, Black moon, Anno Mundi etc is immortal.

I remember borrowing my friends tape copy of Dehumanizer back in 1992 and thinking it sucked. Most likley because it did not sound like Death metal. I was 16 and had no idea back then (nothing's changed...)

I bought it on CD back in May this year and really liked it.

Ahhhh... the foolishness of youth

Born Again (demo), Ray Gillen's The Eternal Idol and Tyr.

Way too hard to choooose. I guess I would have to go for Tyr as it's the only version that was actually released. But I got cheeky and voted for Born Again instead.

Born Again, I like the dio material too but its far superior on live recordings which weren't included in this poll.

Born Again for me, I love this album almost as much as the first 4.

Born Again on Pole Position so far

so, the best non-Ozzy album besides the one that is obviously the best and therefore not availabe to vote for me is Headless Cross. Just spun that one and Tyr just to be sure..

Headless Cross was in fact the first Sabbath album I bought (and liked) in 1989 - even before I was ready to appreciate the first six.. for some strange reason, I never really got into Ozzy fronted Sabbath before early 90s when I was more into punk and indie stuff actually..

I hate to sound like a broken record but this one is still highly recommended to those who haven't heard it.

No Heaven and Hell...Headless Cross

With one of my all time favourite Sabbath songs Nightwing as well as other greats like Devil and Daughter and the title cut.

The Mob Rules, but I really like Born Again and The Headless Cross as well. Overall I think I prefer post-Ozzy Sabbath to pre-Ozzy Sabbath.

Good to see headless cross winning the poll, this one is an underrated classic i believe

Born Again for me.

Great start for Ian Gillan.

I really like Dehumanizer, something about the muddy production & plodding songs I love. Mob Rules & Born Again tied for second...

Mob Rules easily; probably the best 'Sabbath album period.
Other good post-Ozzy albums are Headless Cross ('Nightwing' rules) and Tyr. I've never been a huge fan of heaven and Hell; the big songs are great of course, but the rest are filler IMO. Same goes for Born Again; a few good songs but lots of average ones.

Voted for "Born Again". Great song-writing and Gillan vocals are insane.