User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
13 Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 100 Ratings

  • Artist(s): Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler
  • Summary: The first release since 1978's Never Say Die! with Ozzy Osbourne was produced by Rick Rubin and includes former Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk taking over for Bill Ward.
Buy Now
Buy on
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 32
  2. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Kerrang!
    Jun 20, 2013
    100
    In its eight track, Ozzy, Tony, and bassist Geezer Butler have managed to once again capture that special essence which makes them so magical. And it's bloody fantastic. [1 Jun 2013, p.52]
  2. 80
    In expressing all of these [themes] without tumbling into absurdity, it helps to have a klaxon whine like Ozzy's delivering them, while Tony Iommi cranks out those trademark slow, molten-lead riffs that trundle through 13 like tank tracks.
  3. Jun 27, 2013
    80
    Rubin’s experiment has paid off handsomely, even though at times you’ll find yourself comparing the new songs to any number of familiar signature tunes from Sabbath’s catalogue.
  4. Uncut
    Jun 6, 2013
    70
    Of course, Black Sabbath can't fully turn the clock back to the beginning--but they can still do a pretty good job of sounding like the beginning of the end. [Jul 2013, p.70]
  5. 67
    The result is surprisingly adventurous, considering the monochrome palette of Osbourne's latter-day solo work.... Still, Rubin makes too much here feel dry and disappointingly small.
  6. Jun 13, 2013
    60
    It is a bit Sabbath-by-numbers, but given the weight of history (it's their first studio album together in 35 years), you can see why they would kind of back into the thing.
  7. Jun 14, 2013
    40
    13 certainly isn’t the all-blunts-blazing return Sabbath pledged, and with songwriting that imitates rather than evokes the past, all the goodwill in the world doesn’t change the fact that Sabbath has failed to deliver on its promise.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Jun 11, 2013
    10
    I have prayed to God for almost a decade I am 20 that Ozzy would reunite with Sabbath and create one last masterpiece album. Thank you GodI have prayed to God for almost a decade I am 20 that Ozzy would reunite with Sabbath and create one last masterpiece album. Thank you God and Black Sabbath for now my dream has come true. The album closes with a similar rain that started of the first album, my life is now complete :)
    This will be the last Sabbath album to be created with the real front-man Sir Osbourne, so I hope fans do not ignore it and actually go and purchase it to show that love for real rock music still exists.
    My last point is that Bill Ward not being on the album is a shame but not a reason to not love the album, if he did not want to accept the terms presented to him then he should be looked down on not the rest of the band, and Wilks plays very well on 13 so no complaints only praise from me. The album deserves a 9 but I give it a ten to balance out the 1's many angry pro bill ward fan-boys will put under the rating, please do not do that for it is very unfair and childish... may the true metal gods live forever in our souls!
    Expand
  2. Jan 11, 2014
    10
    I love this album! It's the best Black Sabbath album since 1975 when they have released Sabotage. I could listen to it over and over again.I love this album! It's the best Black Sabbath album since 1975 when they have released Sabotage. I could listen to it over and over again. It's just a masterpiece and should be the last Black Sabbath album. Expand
  3. kik
    Oct 15, 2013
    9
    Like many I have waited many years for this album (since 79) and I'm not disappointed. If I were to have any gripe it would be with theLike many I have waited many years for this album (since 79) and I'm not disappointed. If I were to have any gripe it would be with the mixing, it leaves little room to groove, metal is consuming enough without compressing it and oversampling it to the point where cranking it WAY up hurts. Apart from the aforementioned this album blends almost seamlessly with the old Oz albums, Ozzy sounds more like his solo self rather then the Ozzy of 'Never Say Die', but with rumors already circulating about another album I hope his drone he developed pretty much since No More Tears will vanish, either way I'm happy these guys reformed, i saw them live in Melbourne and apart from my kids being born was the single best night of my life. Long live these true legends.

    Bill Ward, please get in shape for the next album or tour, I'm sure I speak for all when I say we miss you.

    Terry Halmshaw Burrumbeet Australia.
    Expand
  4. Sep 26, 2013
    8
    I first thought of comparing Black Sabbath 13 to Aliens vs. Predators, because on some level both are highly derivative of earlier releases.I first thought of comparing Black Sabbath 13 to Aliens vs. Predators, because on some level both are highly derivative of earlier releases. The above mentioned film lifted every scene from earlier Alien films to create a horrendous mess. At first I worried that this had happened to the Sabs new album too. I mean, the opening track I first mistook for a remake of "Black Sabbath" from the first LP and later I heard a song that I could almost swear was a reworking of NIB. But the more I listened, the more I understood. I mean, we don´t want Sabbath creating disco or reggaeton songs. And the songs on 13 could be slipped into Paranoid, Master of Reality, or Black Sabbath Volume 1 without anyone noticing that they were written 42-43 years later. So the Sabs did what they do best: create slightly schlocky but ultimately lovable songs. So I give the album a positive review and wish them the best, especially Tony Iommi, who I understand is battling lymphoma. Never say die! Expand
  5. Sep 2, 2014
    8
    The godfathers of metal are back and "13" is truly a great album with the Black Sabbath feel but also with a new twist which makes it veryThe godfathers of metal are back and "13" is truly a great album with the Black Sabbath feel but also with a new twist which makes it very interesting to say the least. While it's not '70s Sabbath, this album proves that they still rock and they can make really good music. Expand
  6. Sep 14, 2013
    7
    Decided not to buy after hearing some songs on the radio. It is definitely Black Sabbath but more like Technical Ecstasy or Never Say Die.Decided not to buy after hearing some songs on the radio. It is definitely Black Sabbath but more like Technical Ecstasy or Never Say Die. It is not the quality of Paranoid or Volume IV. Expand
  7. Sep 7, 2013
    4
    Infinitely less appealing than The Devil You Know, this latest Black Sabbath album is well-crafted but, in the end, nothing other than aInfinitely less appealing than The Devil You Know, this latest Black Sabbath album is well-crafted but, in the end, nothing other than a monument to boredom. The songs are completely devoid of intensity or energy, and Ozzy sounds unconvincing. Some good instrumental parts are just not enough. Collapse

See all 20 User Reviews