Technical Ecstasy

Untitled

Technical Ecstasy is the 1976 album from heavy metal band Black Sabbath.

Technical Ecstasy continued the band's separation from its signature doom and darkness that had been such a trademark of the band's early career. While the album's lyrics dealt with topics such as drug dealers, prostitution, and transvestites, the music itself was seldom dark, and tracks like "Rock 'n' Roll Doctor" and "It's Alright" (sung by drummer Bill Ward - a decision supported by Ozzy Osbourne), were very different from Black Sabbath's earlier recordings. Also, the band continued experimenting with keyboards and synthesizers moreso than previous albums. The track "She's Gone" features orchestrations.

The song "Dirty Women" deals with the issue of prostitution.

Osbourne left the band briefly following the release of the album. He would eventually rejoin for the follow-up album, Never Say Die!.

The cover art is designed by Hipgnosis and is meant to represent two robots having sex. Osbourne once described it as "two robots screwing on an escalator."

Track listing

1. "Back Street Kids" – 3:47
2. "You Won't Change Me" – 6:42
3. "It's Alright" – 4:04
4. "Gypsy" – 5:14
5. "All Moving Parts (Stand Still)" – 5:07
6. "Rock 'n' Roll Doctor" – 3:30
7. "She's Gone" – 4:58
8. "Dirty Women" – 7:13

All songs written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne

Credits

• Ozzy Osbourne - vocals
• Tony Iommi - guitar
• Geezer Butler - bass guitar
• Bill Ward - drums, vocals on "It's Alright"
• Gerald Woodruffe - keyboards