BLACK SABBATH "Vol 4" 1972 UK VERTIGO SWIRL NEAR MINT

	£		91
	$		121

  BLACK SABBATH "Vol 4" 1972 UK VERTIGO SWIRL NEAR MINT SUPERB UNMARKED LP, CLEAN G/F w/BOOKLET, SWIRL INNER
BLACK SABBATH
Vol 4

UK VERTIGO (6360 071) FIRST PRESSING (September 1972) OF BLACK SABBATH'S CLASSIC "Vol 4" LP IN SUPERB CONDITION - THIS IS A BEAUTIFULLY CLEAN PRESSING WHICH DELIVERS PRETTY MUCH FLAWLESS SOUND ON MY SYSTEM - AT A VERY LOUD VOLUME! (see detailed audio assessment below) AND IT'S EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST COPIES I HAVE HEARD

PRESSED ON QUALITY MID-WEIGHT VINYL WITH THE FIRST VERTIGO SWIRL LABELS
MATRICES: 6360071 1Y//1 (etched "PORKY") / 6360071 2Y//1 (etched "PECKO")
THE RECORD IS HOUSED IN THE ORIGINAL MATTE GATEFOLD COVER “Printed and made by Howards Printers (Slough) Ltd”
WITH INTERNAL FIXED FOUR PAGE BOOKLET
AND COMES COMPLETE WITH THE ORIGINAL VERTIGO SWIRL INNER SLEEVE

Volume 4 demonstrates Black Sabbath beginning to experiment with the heavy sound they had become known for. Although some songs are in their trademark style, others demonstrate a soft, orchestral approach. "Changes" is entirely in the form of a piano ballad with mellotron.
In June 1972, Black Sabbath reconvened in Los Angeles to begin work on their fourth album at the Record Plant Studios. The recording process was plagued with problems, many due to substance abuse issues but despite the copious amounts of cocaine, the band produced another first-rate album that pushed the boundaries of heavy metal and would influence countless bands.
However, the seeds were planted for what would eventually be the demise of the classic Sabbath lineup. As Butler told Guitar World in 2001, "...the cocaine had set in. We went out to L.A. and got into a totally different lifestyle. Half the budget went on the coke and the other half went to seeing how long we could stay in the studio...We rented a house in Bel-Air and the debauchery up there was just unbelievable." In the same interview, "Yes, Vol. 4 is a great album but listening to it now, I can see it as a turning point for me, where the alcohol and drugs stopped being fun."
At least two songs on the album reference the use of cocaine. The lyrics and title of "Snowblind" being the most obvious. The song also had to be re-recorded because the original version features Osbourne yelling the word "cocaine!" after each verse. On the officially released version, "cocaine" is whispered quite audibly after the first verse, approximately 41 seconds into the song (During live performances Osbourne would again scream the word at the top of his lungs).
In the liner notes the band thank "the great COKE-Cola Company," another blatant drug reference.

Track Listing:
Side 1: WHEELS OF CONFUSION / TOMORROW DREAM / CHANGES / FX / SUPERNAUT
Side 2: SNOWBLIND / CORNUCOPIA / LAGUNA SUNRISE / ST. VITUS DANCE / UNDER THE SUN

LABELS: The labels are clean and bright with no marks or unwanted writing and only light spindles (less than a couple of dozen) when angled to the light - this copy has been played, but not over-played and it's also been extremely well cared for - evident from the pristine vinyl surfaces and sensational playback
VINYL Visual: The vinyl surfaces retain their original deep, practically as-new glossy sheen and are unmarked
VINYL Audio: Outstanding audio - deep, rich and powerful sound and on playback at a very loud volume (which is how I always listen to my LPs prior to listing and how this sensational LP needs to be heard) there are no scratches, no jumps or sticks, no loud clicks or pops and no real discernible surface noise (not even on the gentle tracks 'Changes' and 'Laguna Sunrise and the experimental 'FX' all of which play just about as quietly as vinyl possibly can). The audio quality is of the highest standard throughout - very clean - and the record plays beautifully with great clarity, no discernible groove-wear or distortion and is critically graded a strong NEAR MINT for audio - great copy
SLEEVE: The matte gatefold cover is also in great condition, with the internal four page booklet firmly attached. The outer surfaces are clean and unmarked with just some light rubbing to the black colour on the top and bottom edges. The inside is clean and unmarked and the booklet pages are crisp and fresh with no dog-eared corners or any signs of wear and the spine displays all text clear and bold - Overall, an EXCELLENT to (+) example of this easily worn, untreated and mostly black cover
The Swirl inner bag is clean and fresh with just some light handling creases but no splits to any of the edges (the record will be posted in a new inner to protect the original from any 'knifing' during transit)

PLEASE HAVE A LOOK AT MY PICTURES - I USUALLY TAKE QUITE A FEW SO YOU CAN GET A CLEAR INDICATION OF EVERY DETAIL OF THE ITEM
I HAVE UPLOADED AS MANY AS I CAN BUT I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SUPPLY ANY ADDITIONAL PHOTOS ON REQUEST
EXCEPTIONALLY CLEAN SOUNDING COPY OF A FANTASTIC LP - GREAT STUFF - VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
AS WITH ALL MY RECORDS THIS HAS A LOW START PRICE AND NO RESERVE
PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER AUCTIONS FOR MORE RARE AND COLLECTABLE VINYL
AND PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUERIES YOU MAY HAVE
THANKS FOR LOOKING, CHEERS

PLEASE REFER TO MY 'ABOUT ME' PAGE FOR MORE DETAILED INFO ON MY PLAY-GRADING, EQUIPMENT USED, P&P etc

POST & PACKING
UK: 1st Class: FREE or £1.00 (recorded delivery)
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REDUCED POSTAGE FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS (EACH ADDITIONAL LP: EUROPE & INTERNATIONAL £2.00)
I will combine postage for items purchased within any 10 day period. However, at the end of each 10 day period, all outstanding items will need to be paid for in full and will be posted to you. Any items purchased after payment will be included in the next 10 period. I am continually adding new items which may be of interest to you and it is impractical for me to allow payment to be postponed indefinitely in the expectation that you might wish to bid on future items. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation
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ALL RECORDS ARE PROFESSIONALLY CLEANED BEFORE DISPATCH AND PACKAGED WITH THE VINYL OUTSIDE OF THE SLEEVE TO PREVENT ANY 'KNIFING' DURING TRANSIT.
A PROTECTIVE POLY SLEEVE, QUALITY WRAPRO MAILER AND STIFFENERS ARE ALWAYS USED TO ENSURE THAT YOUR RECORD ARRIVES SAFELY I will email you when payment has been received to let you know when the item will be posted. Please leave feedback upon receipt of the item so that I know you have received it safely. Any problems please email me. Thanks  308 (GS 5.3.7 (308))