IAN GILLAN: ‘Thank God They’re Gonna Remix’ BLACK SABBATH’s ‘Born Again’ Album Now, With IRON MAIDEN’s Team Reportedly Involved in Remixing the Album, Gillan Couldn’t be More Pleased….

IAN GILLAN: ‘Thank God They’re Gonna Remix’ BLACK SABBATH’s ‘Born Again’ Album Now, With IRON MAIDEN’s Team Reportedly Involved in Remixing the Album, Gillan Couldn’t be More Pleased….

 

In a surprising but welcome revelation, legendary vocalist Ian Gillan has expressed his excitement over the long-awaited remix of Born Again, the 1983 Black Sabbath album he fronted. While the album is often remembered for its chaotic production and murky mix, it also holds a cult status among fans for its raw energy and unique lineup, which featured Gillan on vocals, Tony Iommi on guitar, Geezer Butler on bass, and Bill Ward on drums. Now, with Iron Maiden’s team reportedly involved in remixing the album, Gillan couldn’t be more pleased.

“Thank God they’re gonna remix Born Again,” Gillan reportedly said in a recent interview. “That record has haunted me for years—not because of the songs, which I stand by, but because of how awful it sounded when it came out. We were trying something bold, but the mix buried it under mud.”

The original release of Born Again was marred by production issues. Recorded at the Manor Studio in Oxfordshire, the album was rushed through the mixing phase, and the final sound was widely criticized for being overly compressed, with distorted guitars and muffled vocals. Even Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler once admitted he was “horrified” when he heard the final product.

Gillan, who had just come off a successful run with Deep Purple, found the entire recording process unusual. “I loved working with Tony and the guys,” he said. “There was chemistry there, no doubt. But the technical side? It was a disaster. I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the playback.”

What makes this remix especially intriguing is the involvement of Iron Maiden’s production team. Known for their precise engineering and polished soundscapes, Maiden’s studio crew—possibly under longtime producer Kevin Shirley—brings the promise of restoring the power and clarity Gillan always envisioned for the record.

“This could be the redemption the album always deserved,” Gillan continued. “There are great songs on there—‘Trashed’, ‘Disturbing the Priest’, ‘Zero the Hero’—but they’ve never had the chance to shine through the murk. I’ve always felt a bit sorry for the fans. Now maybe they’ll get to hear the album the way it was supposed to be.”

Born Again remains the only Sabbath album to feature Gillan on vocals. Despite the production woes, the record charted well and developed a lasting legacy, especially among die-hard fans who appreciated its darker, heavier tone. Over the years, numerous bootlegs and fan remasters have tried to correct the sound, but a fully sanctioned remix had never materialized—until now.

With renewed interest in Black Sabbath’s legacy and Gillan’s continued influence on the rock and metal scene, the timing couldn’t be better. As Gillan himself puts it, “It’s about bloody time. Let’s bring Born Again back to life.”