The Eternal Idol

The Eternal Idol is the thirteenth studio album by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released in November 1987, through Vertigo Records in the UK, and on 8 December 1987, through Warner Bros. Records in the US. It is the first Black Sabbath album to feature vocalist Tony Martin, and the final album to be released through Warner Bros. and Vertigo Records, until the release of 13 in 2013.

Recording initially began in October 1986, with producer Jeff Glixman. After a series of internal issues, Glixman was soon replaced by Vic Coppersmith-Heaven, and bassist Dave Spitz left the band, with Bob Daisley brought in to record Spitz's tracks. However, before the completion of the album, Daisley left the band, alongside drummer Eric Singer. Following production issues with Coppersmith-Heaven, the band switched producers once more to Chris Tsangarides, while vocalist Ray Gillen left the band, as he struggled with lyrics. Soon after the departure of Gillen, the band auditioned several vocalists, before deciding on Tony Martin to re-record Gillen's vocals, and enlisted Bev Bevan to record percussion overdubs. Despite these changes in the lineup, they all received writing credits on the album.

Peaking at No. 168 in the US and at No. 66 in the UK, The Eternal Idol received mixed reviews from critics, and did not sell as well as expected, leading to the band being dropped from Warner Bros. and Vertigo Records. Despite this, the band launched a short tour in support of the album.