7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The story of the most famous metal band, Black Sabbath.
Starring: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Tommy Clufetos, Adam WakemanMusic | 100% |
Documentary | 42% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: LPCM 2.0
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
4K Ultra HD
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 0.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Mercury Studios released Black Sabbath: The End - Live in Birmingham on 1080 disc back when it was still Eagle Rock Entertainment (and/or Eagle Vision Media), and is now revisiting the title with this new 4K outing, one that not only repeats the audio options of the old 1080 disc, but which does not even offer HDR here, kind of oddly, since Mercury Studios released Eric Clapton: Slowhand at 70 – Live at the Royal Albert Hall 4K simultaneously with this disc, and that one does offer HDR. This release also does not have the CD of the concert that came with Eagle Rock Entertainment's 1080 release.
Note: Note: This release does not include a 1080 Blu-ray, so these screenshots are taken from the 4K UHD disc and downscaled to
1080. They are therefore not an accurate gauge of the image quality. Those interested may want to look at the 1080 screenshots accompanying my
1080 review. Because there is no 1080 disc in this package, the 2K video score above has been intentionally left blank.
Black Sabbath The End is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Mercury Studios with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 2.39:1. I gave
pretty topnotch marks to Eagle Rock's 1080 presentation, and while this is a solid enough 4K outing, in at least some ways it merely duplicates the
excellence of the 1080 version instead of actually improving on it. The 1080's progressive presentation was one of its strengths, and this 4K
version carries over the nicely organic fluidity that helps to keep even fast motions problem free. And there's no arguing that the palette pops quite
nicely throughout this presentation, especially some of the moody blues (sorry) and purples. But, again, without HDR what's offered here is basically
an echo, albeit a vivid one, of the 1080 presentation. HDR could have arguably helped the one area I felt could have used improvement in
Eagle Rock's 1080 presentation, namely deficits in shadow detail. Again, there's really not much difference between the deficits in that presentation
and the ones on tap here.
As mentioned above, this 4K disc repeats the same audio options as were offered on Eagle Rock Entertainment's old 1080 release. Black Sabbath The End features a forceful DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track as well as a somewhat more focused sounding LPCM 2.0 offering. The surround track has ample energy in the all important low end, delivering really punchy bass and drums while also offering clear accountings of what typically is pretty heavily massed instrumentation in the mid and lower registers. As often seems to be the case in these surround mixes, I at least occasionally wished that Ozzy's voice could have been prioritized a bit better, as it sometimes tends to get slightly buried in the instrumental maelstroms. In that regard, some listeners may find the stereo version more to their liking, but both tracks offer superior fidelity and clarity, with no problems of any kind. As is kind of weirdly the case on many of these Eagle Rock releases, the disc is authored to default to the stereo track rather than the surround track.
- The Wizard
- Wicked World
- Sweet Leaf
- Tomorrow's Dream
- Changes
Mercury Studios still seems to be finding its sea (and/or C) legs with its 4K UHD releases, as evidenced by the kind of odd fact that two releases coming out on the same day have one with HDR and one without. This 4K presentation probably ups the perception of the vividness of the palette a bit, and provides the same excellent detailing that the 1080 presentation did, but this may be one of those releases where those prone to double dipping may ask "why"? Similarly, those wanting to check this concert out for the first time may actually prefer the 1080 version (or the deluxe version I link to in my 1080 review) since this one doesn't offer the CD (or in the case of the deluxe version, all of the other bonus items). Still, taken on its own merits and with caveats noted, Black Sabbath The End comes Recommended.
Super Deluxe Edition
2017
2017
(Still not reliable for this title)
2009
2008
2010
1981
2012
2003
1971
2013
2009
2002
1991
1975
50th Anniversary
1973
2013
2013
U2360° at the Rose Bowl
2009
1973
2016
Special Edition | Warner Archive Collection
1970
2004