In a revealing new interview, veteran guitarist Jimi Bell has shared the incredible and bittersweet story of his uncredited contribution to Black Sabbath‘s 1992 reunion album, Dehumanizer. The Autograph and House of Lords guitarist detailed how he co-wrote the track “Master of Insanity” with bassist Geezer Butler, a contribution for which he says he was never officially credited or paid, but an experience he has ultimately come to terms with.
The story begins in the late 1980s, after Bell auditioned for Ozzy Osbourne‘s band. While the role ultimately went to Zakk Wylde, Sharon Osbourne “still believed in me,” Bell recounted (via Ultimate Guitar), and connected him with Geezer Butler for a new, post-Sabbath project. The group, which featured an “amazing lineup” including future Nazareth vocalist Carl Sentance, began writing material that was more melodic but still heavy.
It was from these sessions that “Master of Insanity” was born. The project, however, was put on hold when the classic Mob Rules-era lineup of Black Sabbath—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Ronnie James Dio—reunited to record what would become the Dehumanizer album. It was then that Bell received a surprising phone call.
“In ’91, I got a call from Geezer‘s wife, Gloria. She told me Sabbath was reuniting with Ronnie James Dio and wanted to use ‘Master of Insanity‘ on the new album,” Bell explained. The initial excitement, however, was quickly tempered by the terms of the deal. “I was thrilled – until I found out I wouldn’t get songwriting credit. Tony Iommi apparently didn’t want a song by another guitarist on a Sabbath record.”
Despite being acknowledged with a thank you in the album’s liner notes and an alleged promise of payment from Butler that never materialized (“I never saw the money”), Bell says the honor of being part of the album ultimately outweighed the business slight. The experience of hearing one of rock’s most iconic vocalists sing his song was unforgettable.
“But hearing Dio perform a song I wrote was unforgettable,” he stated. He noted that both Dio and Butler later acknowledged his contribution in their respective autobiographies. “So I’ve made peace with it.”
In another interesting footnote, Bell confirmed that his project with Butler also had a song titled “Computer God,” but clarified that only the title was used for the crushing opening track of Dehumanizer. “It was totally different – more of a melodic hard rock track… musically, they’re worlds apart,” he said.
