BLACK SABBATH BLACK SABBATH PLUS

Up next, we are greeted by an instrument that would never be featured (to the best of my knowledge) again on a Sabbath recording - harmonica - which kicks off another classic, “The Wizard.” And now would be a perfect time to discuss another element that made Sabbath stick out from the rest of the pack - they were one of the first rock bands to include Satanic imagery in both their lyrics and album packaging (“Satan’s coming ‘round the bend” is sung in the title tune, “The Wizard” can be construed about being about black magic, as well as the record label deciding to feature an upside down cross design when the LP’s gatefold sleeve was opened).

BLACK SABBATH BLACK SABBATH PLUS

But three-quarters of the way through, all the plodding gives way to a speedier tempo, plus another killer guitar riff and a guitar solo. Beginning with the sound of a thunderstorm and the ominous tolling of a bell, one of Iommi’s great guitar riffs is soon unveiled before the song dials down the volume to focus on its lyrics, which paint the picture of what doomsday would probably be like (including the now-classic line, “Oh no, no, please God help me!”). If you were to try and pinpoint a single song that may have birthed heavy metal, then “Black Sabbath” would be a wise pick. Kicking things off was the song “Black Sabbath”. After going through a few names (including Earth), and Iommi briefly serving as a member of Jethro Tull (check out Tull’s performance on the Rolling Stones’ Rock and Roll Circus to spot Iommi), the band settled on the now world-renowned Black Sabbath moniker - nicking it from the title of a horror flick from 1963, starring Boris Karloff.

And four lads from Birmingham, England, were just the right men for the job - equipped with doomsday lyrics, detuned riffs, and plodding tempos.Ĭomprised of Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass), and Bill Ward (drums), Black Sabbath originally formed in 1968.

So, looking back, there was a void that needed to be filled - for a hard rock band to tackle much darker subject matter. But Black Sabbath’s self-titled debut just may be one of the chosen few – as it was arguably the first rock album that could truly be classified as “heavy metal.”įlower power and lyrics about peace, love, and understanding permeated throughout society around the dawn of the 1970. It’s not a common occurrence to be able to single out one album that may be responsible for launching an entire genre of music.

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