A selection of popular Black Sabbath songs interpreted by longtime metallic favorites (Megadeth, Slayer), newer rock kids (Godsmack, Static-X) and a wild card (Busta Rhymes) makes for a fun, if surprisingly middle-of-the-r... more »oad, listen. NIB 2 is the first release on Ozzy Osbourne's own record label, and one of the CD's dozen tunes features Oz doing the classic "N.I.B" with pranksters Primus; however, there's not enough of Les Claypool's bass peeking through on the otherwise stellar title. Static-X's otherwise distinct techno take on "Behind the Wall of Sleep" loses the song's inherent groove. Megadeth's true-to-the original version of "Never Say Die" is rollicking. Pantera doing the dirge "Electric Funeral" is not as aggro as one might hope; on the other hand, Slayer turn in a raw and dynamic version of "Hand of Doom." Truly unique renderings come from California band hed(p.e.), who do a trippy, hip-hop/funk version of "Sabbra Cadabra," and from Busta Rhymes, with his take on "Iron Man." Ultimately, though, NIB 2 proves that Sabbath did it first and best, and there's really no improving on the original. --Katherine Turman« less
A selection of popular Black Sabbath songs interpreted by longtime metallic favorites (Megadeth, Slayer), newer rock kids (Godsmack, Static-X) and a wild card (Busta Rhymes) makes for a fun, if surprisingly middle-of-the-road, listen. NIB 2 is the first release on Ozzy Osbourne's own record label, and one of the CD's dozen tunes features Oz doing the classic "N.I.B" with pranksters Primus; however, there's not enough of Les Claypool's bass peeking through on the otherwise stellar title. Static-X's otherwise distinct techno take on "Behind the Wall of Sleep" loses the song's inherent groove. Megadeth's true-to-the original version of "Never Say Die" is rollicking. Pantera doing the dirge "Electric Funeral" is not as aggro as one might hope; on the other hand, Slayer turn in a raw and dynamic version of "Hand of Doom." Truly unique renderings come from California band hed(p.e.), who do a trippy, hip-hop/funk version of "Sabbra Cadabra," and from Busta Rhymes, with his take on "Iron Man." Ultimately, though, NIB 2 proves that Sabbath did it first and best, and there's really no improving on the original. --Katherine Turman
Jax M. (Destructa) from SAN JOSE, CA Reviewed on 4/1/2007...
Cool! Any Black Sabbath/Ozzy fan should appreciate it, and if you're not familiar with Black Sabbath's classics, then shame on you for calling yourself a metalhead! Perhaps you've heard of Megadeth? or Godsmack? or the cybermetal groove machine known as Static-X? Even rapper Busta Rhymes pays tribute to the groundbreaking sounds of Black Sabbath. Even the cover illustration is evil.
CD Reviews
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly....
Sunshine the Werewolf | Canada | 03/13/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"VARIOUS ARTISIS - Nativity in Black Vol. II
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This album may be a few years old now but after listening again to this the other day I had to leave my 2 cents.
First off cover albums are very difficult to review so I will do a song by song review and average the total score.
1. "Sweet Leaf" - Godsmack - 4.5/5
-A great opener - Godsmack really nailed this track on the head... They gave it a bit of their own edge but still kept the premise of the song.
2. "Hole in the Sky" - Machine Head - 4/5
-Machine Head seems to do either really good, or really, really bad... Luckily this falls within the first.
3. "Behind the Wall of Sleep" - Static-X - 2/5
-Just not feeling the vibe - too `electric' and just too much like Static X...
4. "Never Say Die" - Megadeth - 4/5
-Mustaine does a good rendition but I feel like something is just missing on this cover that stops it from being great... Then again maybe it's just Mustaine.
5. "Snowblind" - System of a Down - 4.5/5
-My favorite song on the CD that sounds little like the original but brings an entirely new element an already classic song.
6. "Electric Funeral" - Pantera - 5/5
-Probably the best cover on the album... Phil and crew do an amazing version of this tune.
7. "N.I.B." - Primus (featuring Ozzy) - 5/5
-I feel bad for Geezer Butler.... Les Claypool schools the old school master on this version... and having Ozzy sing the Vocals only makes this track better.
8. "Hand of Doom" - Slayer - 5/5
-This actually sounds little like what you'd expect Slayer doing a cover to sound like... A very mature sound and probably tied with Pantera for the best cover on this album.
9. "Under the Sun" - Soulfly - 4/5
-Though significantly heavier than the original this is still very well done... Love the breakdown!
10. "Sabbra Cadabra" - Hed (pe) - 2/5
-Yeah it's just weird... Not in the good way like the S.O.A.D. Cover... This is just odd.
11. "Into the Void" - Monster Magnet - 3/5
-Just not feeling this track... Not bad, just not great...
12. "Iron Man" - Busta Rhymes - 1/5
-Yeah umm... ok. "I work hard to take care of everyone of my N!&&#+$..."
I like Busta for rap but please don't EVER!!! Cover Sabbath Again!
TOTAL: 44/60 = 3.66 Stars (rounded up to a generous 4 Stars)
Truth is if you are a Sabbath fan and you like some of the bands on here it is easily worth your time and money... However, if you're a 70's Purist I probably wouldn't bother....
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Not as good as the first NIB
David Smith | Brussels, Belgium | 06/19/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is good overall. Here's my review1. SweetLeaf - Godsmack. Great guitar tone, but the song sounds too much like the original.2. Hole in the Sky - Machine Head. I was very dissapointed in this song, because Machine Head rules. It sounds like its mixed up.3. Behind the wall of Sleep - Static X. Good remake, its got a disco feel to it. 4. Never Say Die - Megadeth. Good cover also, but its Megadeth, and megadeth sounds the same no matter how they do a song.5. Snowblind - System of a Down. If there is a reason to buy this album, this is it. Great remake. They put their own spin on it.6. Electric Funeral - Pantera. I love Pantera, but I couldn't tell if it was Phil or Ozzy singing the vocals, too much like the origial.7. N.I.B - OZZY/Primus, Just like the original8. Hand of Doom - Slayer. This is a stand out track. It is raging start to finish. 9. Under the Sun - Soulfly. This is a great remake of this song. 10. Sabbra Cadabra - Hedpe. Good remake, to hip hop for me.11. Into the Void - Monster Magnet. Good overall cover, but it clocks in at 12 min, too long12. Iron Man - Buster Rhymes. This should be deleted from the disk. Overall, if you like Sabbath give it a try. Soulfly, Slayer and System of a down are the 3 best covers."
Great CD but why the C-Rap
rainier | 07/09/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is overall a great CD until you get to its final track which for me ruins the entire CD. Busta Rhymes destroys one of musics greatest songs. Why the producer didnt cut the track I don't know. But there is nothing we can do about that now. All the other tracks are good. I usually don't like Static-X but I loved the amazing job they did on Behind the Wall of Sleep. System of a Down did a great job on Snowblind, and Primus with Ozzy on NIB was amazing, the bass solo intro the music it was all great especially when it is topped off with Ozzy's amazing vocals. I would recommned you buy this CD if you like Black Sabbath...or even if you like one of the bands on the CD. This is truely a great CD except for Busta Rhymes..."
A great tribute to the true Gods of metal.
Andrew Estes | Maine | 12/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've had the first N.I.B. disc floating around for years. I loved it, so naturally, I had to buy this one. N.I.B. II is a better version of the original. Better covers, and dare I say...better bands? (Soulfly sure beats Ugly Kid Joe)The best track on here is definetly System of a Down's take on "Snowblind." It is one of the few tracks on here that sounds nothing like the original and is awesome non-the-less. S.O.A.D. have taken "Snowblind" and twisted into a song of their own which is nothing but pure raw energy. "N.I.B." by Primus W/ Ozzy is another standout, it is really fun to crank this one up loud. Ozzy's voice mixed with Les Claypool's bass is the perfect mix. (Hed) P.E.'s "Sabbra Cadabra" is another great song, again, not copying the original, but still staying true to the Sabbath vibe. I really like this song cuz they didn't feel the need to be heavy just for the hell of it. Pantera covering "Electric Funeral" sounds more like an updated version of the original, with Phil's voice sounding a lot like Ozzy's. The only disappointments on here is Monster Magnet's drudging "Into the Void" and of course, Busta Rhymes defecation of "Iron Man."If you are a fan of any of the bands on here, do not skip this CD. It is well worth the money. As for the old time Black Sabbath fan, you might not find what you're looking for on here, BUT Pantera, Primus, and Slayer's tracks will most likely please you."
Nativity is BACK
rainier | USA | 06/10/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If a cd were able to turn grey due to heavy use like old records do, then my Nativity in Black I would be white by now. Needless to say, this follow-up was a MUST HAVE. This CD opens like it should, going for the jugular with a killer version of "Sweet Leaf" by Godsmack. Having heard these guys getting good airplay lately, I must admit that their album is next on my list.. the bud is lit! And we go right up to heaven with "Hole in the Sky" by Machine Head ... they have been one of my favorite bands in the past several years, and they sure do an excellent job on this album ... the mellow middle part of the track pleasantly surprised me. I had never heard of Static-X before, but their version of "Behind The Wall Of Sleep" sure puts them on the map .. Onto MegaDeth and "Never Say Die," where Dave Mustaine breaks out the finger-licking good riffs like never before... System Of A Down is another unknown band to me, but thumbs up to their powerful version of "SnowBlind" .. Pantera and their "Electric Funeral" hardly need any additional comments ... Anselmo is a Sabbath fan, that much is for sure .. excellent performance! To find Primus on this Tribute album was quite a surprise, and the vocals are even from the man himself, Ozzy Osbourne. Primus' cover of "N.I.B." reminded me of Les Claypool's status as the cream of the bass players' crop... Slayer gives a brilliant sound to a very suitable "Hand of Doom," and Tom Araya actually sounds like he could turn into a singer someday ... Ex-Sepultura outfit Soulfly makes the sun shine bright in "Under The Sun," making you wish Max had never left Sepultura to begin with ... The best part of the album concluded with those nine songs because the Hed(pe) version of "Sabbra Cadabra" sounds like a rapper who got stuck in a Led Zeppelin album, and you suddenly have flashbacks of listening to early Mr.Bungle songs ... Monster Magnet's "Into The Void" is a step in the right direction again, but since it's the longest track on the album, it takes a while to shift into the right gear and go full speed ahead.. To finish up this Ode To Sabbath, we get another rap attempt (and WAY more successful) by Busta Rhymes doing "Iron Man" with some help from Ozzy again ...Simply said, this album is worth every single dime for Sabbath fans and any hard-rock fan out there .. 30 years have gone by, and their music is STILL unmatched .. Black is their color .. And Sabbath is their name! Hail to the Kings Of Doom!"