Because the Syracuse, New York-based
Masters of Reality took their name from the title of a scorching
Black Sabbath album, some assumed they were a heavy metal band. But in fact, their forte is a bluesy approach with a late-1960s/early-'70s type of appeal. Though subtle traces of
Sabbath can occasionally be heard on a few of their songs, their sound owes a lot more to
Ten Years After and
the Doors. First released by Def American in 1989 and reissued by Delicious Vinyl in 1990, this impressive offering was produced by
Rick Rubin and has the markings of a
Rubin production. The thing that makes
Rubin so great a producer is his willingness to follow his gut instincts, an approach has served him well whether producing
Slayer,
Johnny Cash, or
L.L. Cool J, and one that clearly works to
the Masters' advantage on such pearls as "Domino," "Gettin' High," and "The Eyes of Texas."
Rubin is the type of producer who knows how to step aside when appropriate and let artists be themselves. Under his direction, the material sounds well produced, but never over-produced.