Spanning 32 tracks and two discs, Sanctuary/Castle's The Best of Black Sabbath is arguably the best overview/introduction of the legendary metal band yet assembled. Although this does dip well into the late '80s, running through most of the hits of the Dio years, this gets the edge over many of its companions because it keeps its perspective even as it tries to cover a lot of ground. That means that it spends most of its time with the classic Ozzy years -- not just the first disc, but a portion of the second as well. This is only appropriate, since that's where the legend was built, and the remainder of the second disc, with its right blend of Dio selections, helps tell the story. Along the way, all of the anthems are unleashed in fine remastered sound and the whole thing is capped off by Hugh Gilmour's fine liner notes. Although such individual albums as Paranoid, Master of Reality, and Vol. 4 are metal landmarks, as a summary this pretty much can't be beat. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide