Ozzy Osbourne "Necromandus", who had supported Black Sabbath in Birmingham when they were called "Earth", did backup for Osbourne in the studio and briefly became the first incarnation of his solo band. At the request of the other members, Osbourne rejoined Sabbath. The band spent five months at Sounds Interchange Studios in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, writing and recording what would become "Never Say Die!" "It took quite a long time", Iommi said. "We were getting really drugged out, doing a lot of dope. We'd go down to the sessions, and have to pack up because we were too stoned, we'd have to
The Best of Black Sabbath official Black Sabbath release, and isn't in their official catalogue. There have been roughly half a dozen compilations released throughout Black Sabbath's career titled "The Best of Black Sabbath". None of them are official band releases. All songs written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward except where noted. Tracks 1–5 are from "Black Sabbath" (1970); 6–11 are from "Paranoid" (1970); and 12–16 are from "Master of Reality" (1971) Tracks 1–3 are from "Vol. 4" (1972); track 4–6 are from "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" (1974); 7–10 are from "Sabotage" (1975); 11 is from "Technical Ecstasy" (1976); 12 &