Black Sabbath Album Deep Dives #5: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

[@SabFANationalAcrobat]

This is their masterpiece...followed closely by Sabotage. Not a bad song on the album...and five that would have been top songs on any given other album: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Sabbra Cadabra, Killing Yourself to Live, Spiral Architect and, of course, my favourite Black Sabbath song of all time: A National Acrobat.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I loved that they were able to expand their sound without sacrificing the heaviness or selling out.

[@juancarloscalderonmiranda7259]

My one and only crime is loving that song so much and also Spiral Architect both are great

[@user-eo2oz2tf4q]

This waz a well polished album, Sabotage put the 🍒 on the the cake.

[@user-eo2oz2tf4q]

Seems a long from vol 4 to sabotage...

[@user-eo2oz2tf4q]

Long way.

[@StonersStashbox]

Definitely one of the absolute best in their entire discography. A major change for the band and fans.A crisper and tighter sounding band. A different and better beast as far as I'm concerned. Just everything is awesome. One of my desert isle albums.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Agree on all points. They had made such significant progress in just a 4 year period. My favorite Sabbath album by a mile.

[@user-eo2oz2tf4q]

Spot on.

[@jimcullen2211]

Another masterpiece by Sabbath. This album is a response to critics would said that they only wrote heavy, riff based songs. I think they wanted to prove that they could show a more sophisticated approach. It worked without slipping in to schmaltzy songs. Some feel that they lost their hard edge on this one but I love it. It has enough riffs and driving beat, along with some dark lyrics to satisfy most Sabbath heads.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I agree. It doesn’t stray too far from the Sabbath formula but still shows some progression and growth. 👍👍

[@SabFANationalAcrobat]

I'd like to meet the person who thought that Sabbath "lost their edge on this one." While I have great affection for the early albums ('Into the Void' and 'War Pigs' being in my top ten and 'Wheels of Confusion' earning an honorable mention), 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,' followed by 'Sabotage,' is IMO the culmination of their genius. These are sophisticated, progressive albums with tantalizing stretches of grungy early metal power, supporting compelling melodies and the most contemplative lyrics in the entire Sabbath catalogue. These two Sabbath albums get the most turns in my house.

[@mikekeeler6362]

But still some great heavy riffs Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

[@budgiemcleod4443]

This is the greatest album that's ever been recorded!🤘

[@user-eo2oz2tf4q]

It's up there for sure, with a few others...

[@codyknoxable]

This is my favorite Sabbath as well! Can’t get enough of it.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Such a great album!

[@kevingartland723]

Killer album that never gets enough attention. A National Acrobat, Killing Yourself to Live & Spiral Architect, three of my personal favorite Black Sabbath songs.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I would agree, all top 10 songs for me.

[@rjg2112]

Absolutely agree!

[@tommymaier3017]

Tony had that cocaine grinding teeth look back in the day lol

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Yes he did 😱😱

[@aschule5684]

Geezer said they got cereal boxes full of cocaine 😳

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

I love this album too!!! A Prog-Metal masterpiece. I was just listening to it yesterday at work. A National Acrobat and Spiral Architect are so engaging as a listener. I even like the keyboards on Who Are You. You’re almost to my favorite album!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks brother! Another album without a weak track. At least 3 songs here that would make a top 10 Sabbath list for me.

[@juancarloscalderonmiranda7259]

The keyboard player in who are you was Rick Wakeman who was around in that studio were sabbath was recording and tony asked Rick if he could play the tune with them and he said ok not apear in the credits

[@aschule5684]

​@@juancarloscalderonmiranda7259 actually the keyboard player on "Who Are You" was ”Ozzy" ! He came up with the song noodling on the synth he bought and I believe Bill Ward wrote the lyrics. Rick Wakeman played on Sabra Cadabra

[@user-pu5sk1zc8s]

the opening riff to Killing Yourself To Live is Sabbath's BEST. What a shame it is so brief.

[@Mike-aka747]

That was Sabbath. Kill you with a killer riff but not to be repeated in the song again. So many other examples of this. Cornucopia,into the void, shockwave,under the sun. Many many more I’ve forgot

[@tomfisher2103]

Bill downing that huge pint of beer in the video...FACTS😂

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Haha! He wasn’t bullshitting that he had a bit of a drinking problem.

[@rikschellekens9246]

The best Sabbath album,my favourite❤

[@lanceash]

This was Sabbath's bid for prog rock glory. My favorite album by them. "A National Acrobat" is such a fantastic song. I remember listening to it stoned with my head against the little boom box I had the cassette in. That galloping outro blew me away.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Such a great song!

[@alltheworldsastage899]

I was fortunate (and old) enough to see them on the Vol.4, SBS, and Sabotage tours, so I am in the midst/height of my Sabbathery. We played "Killing Yourself to Live" in my band, and I've got long hair and I'm also wearing a ridiculously large cross. I can remember being at practice and trying to bob my head like Geezer. Not sure how he does it, because I had a sore neck for weeks. Cozy Powell's band, Bedlam, opened up for them on this tour. Back to the album. Even though Vol. 4 is my fav, I consider this to be a a masterpiece. The song writing is more mature and experimental, but they don't stray too far away from their true self. My only knock is the sound, I always thought Vol. 4 sounded much better. First time I've ever been turned on during a Jeff Whitcher video.....

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks Steve! I agree this is a masterpiece, hard to find fault with any of the songs here. Their most mature work by far. BTW I love the Explorers Club record. Reminds me of Beach Boys, The Association and the Turtles. How had I never heard of them? Thanks again!

[@vikingbrace]

Another fantastic video on a fantastic album! I think I had to warm up to this one just a little bit more but I love it. And I think Spiral Architect is a very cool way to end the album. I felt like I was back at Kings Island at the end. That motorcycle footage is crazier than Ozzy.

[@mikekeeler6362]

I like all those Shuffle beats and changes that's what made their albums so great they could have stuck with the same old stuff that they were doing but they branched out

[@aaronmuthaalamare4165]

This is killer! Such an under appreciated album! I’m loving the daredevil footage! 👍🤘🤘

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you bro!

[@Spaghetti_policy]

Thats Evel kinevel!!

[@user-ft6og5vl6n]

Well, being the huge Sabbath fan that I am, of course I loved this album. Sabbath at thist time were on top of their game, if you will. Ozzys voice sounded great and the boys were clicking on all cylinders. The introduction of Rick Wakeman and his sound served to enhance Sabbath's sound. My favorite track is the title track, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. Also, Killing Yourself to Live and Spiral Architect, ain't too bad either. I heard that Geezer dreamt that whole song and the next morning wrote it all down, pretty cool, huh? The cover art for the album is very eye catching and a little scary. I like that!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

My favorite Sabbath cover and my favorite album from the Ozzy era. That cover creeped me out for the longest time, however.

[@miguelcruz2682]

The mighty BLACK SABBATH ALWAYS will be the ruler's of the universe!! 🤘

[@tonygaruba424]

Amen

[@tsurumichan]

Solid front to end, probably the best album as a whole

[@tsurumichan]

P.S. Commercial? Just better produced, superior studio production to 3 and 4 by far

[@tsurumichan]

P.S. Commercial? Just better produced, superior studio production to 3 and 4 by far

[@tsurumichan]

P.S. Commercial? Just better produced, superior studio production to 3 and 4 by far

[@markwhitaker3673]

Their creative peak I think-an absolute masterpiece and my favorite Sabbath album, ahead of Vol 4, Master of Reality, Sabotage, and Paranoid. This stuff sounds great a half century later-UFB.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I agree!

[@michaelpatterson9119]

Evel knenivle making his jumps to this song was bad ass.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I maybe should have saved them for the “Live Evil” album.

[@tomy8339]

There are some overlooked gems on this album. I especially love sabra cadabra, killing yourself to live and spiral architect. That last song in particular has a wonderful psychedelic, prog feel.

[@tonygaruba424]

Thanks for this entire series jeff

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you!

[@richardfitzpatrick5748]

Love the album a classic for sure. Another great video

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks Richard!

[@aschule5684]

The point of musical maturity they'd gotten to when they did this album was so incredible. I think it even surpassed their expectations. This was such a deep meaningful album both lyrically and musically. In a haze of exhaustion from touring cocaine burnout and alcohol abuse the well dried up and they had nothing left after Vol 4. They went back to the UK to a haunted castle in the forest of Dean and with a little help from "the other side" wrote their masterpiece! This will always be my personal favorite BS album and if I'm not mistaken, it's their favorite album also. National Acrobat, Killing Yourself To Live, Looking For Today, Sabra Cadabra, Spiral Architect ....... The art work on the album, the music, the lyrics to the songs, everything about this album. Ozzy and Bill's haunting "Who Are You" the appearance of Rick Wakeman, the strings on Spiral Architect. "I am the world that hides the universal secret of all time, destruction of the empty spaces is my one and only crime, I've lived a thousand times, I found out what it means to be believed........ this album was allot to wrap my young mind around. "Of all the things I value most in life, I see my memories and feel their warmth and know that they are good...... You know that I should!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Beautifully said! This album belongs on any serious top ten list of hard rock albums. People who think Sabbath were just a doom and gloom band of Satan worshippers need to listen to this album. I consider this a gateway to convince nonbelievers that this band was one of the greatest of all time.

[@aschule5684]

@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 I feel the same. I'm actually grateful that Master of Reality was the first BS album I heard as a young man growing up. I knew when I heard "After Forever" there was more to these guys than the heavy scary music and dark image. After Forever and Spiral Architect really help to show you they're not what you might think. One of the funniest Sabbath stories I've learned was the night they'd just come back to their hotel after a show and there was a bunch of Satanists with lit candles waiting for them in the hallway. The boys blew out their candles and sang them "Happy Birthday" 🤣 I guess they weren't happy about it LoL 😂 I always got a kick out of that story........

[@user-eo2oz2tf4q]

Sabotage put the 🍒 on the cake.

[@aschule5684]

@@user-eo2oz2tf4q Sabotage was another great album!!

[@user-eo2oz2tf4q]

The Thrill of it all waz one of Sabbaths great intros.

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

Fantastic video brother thank you for this series

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks bro!

[@tobinharris8107]

I don’t have this one so no original memories to refer to but I do have some of the songs on an anthology. I will give them more listens now. Again, the images you selected for all these pieces are fantastic Jeff! Good job, must’ve been fun. 👍🎸👍

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you, this was a lot of fun!

[@Sam_artsy80]

Great record

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

I do love this album

[@glenmurschel5939]

Great! On the fence if this is my favorite, in the top 3 for sure. Love Evel and the Peep Show - send the whole movie!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

So hard to pick a favorite from these early Sabbath albums but this one has always been mine.

[@exitthelemming145]

Probably the closest Sabbath got to 'Prog Rock' and my favourite album of theirs for that reason.

[@johnzdanowski3102]

"With all Due Respect"... Love the Imagery!!!

[@graemeyetts3465]

A top album,and loved the artwork too

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

My favorite Sabbath album cover.

[@illmsg77]

I LOVE Sabra Cadabra!!!! Cool channel!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you!

[@stevenr2463]

Bloody great video!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you!

[@mikekeeler6362]

I have that Don kirshner's Rock concert poster of Black Sabbath

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Nice!

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

Love it

[@Bogweed]

As much as I would have loved another album, done in the vein of Vol.4 I understand their progression. Way more mature and a really superb album in my opinion. Great review, really enjoyed this Black Sabbath series.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you! This was one of my favorite series to do.

[@Bogweed]

@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 And you did a very good job, man.

[@curly_wyn]

Their best album for me; everything about it is amazing. The musical styles are still Sabbath but also adventurous and different. All of the themes are also so introspective and so dark and kinda disturbing and depraved but in a very interesting and bright way. Every song, just amazing! 🖤🖤

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

My favorite Sabbath album hands down!

[@mickblack3291]

My 2nd favourite album after VOL4 of the Ozzy era Sabbath, to me it's the Sabs at their most sophisticated maybe helped along with the use of keyboard's 'very 1973' also Geezers songwriting capability & introspect comes to the forefront on this album it gives u plenty of things to think about & lommi's riffing is phenomenal as usual, great atmosphere created on this great Sabbath album.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

This has always been my favorite album. They expanded their sound without compromising it. Iommi has some of the most melodic riffs of any hard rock guitarist and Geezer was such an underrated songwriter.

[@neil1390]

Spiral Artichect, opening is Black Sabbath meets Moody Blues!The Birmingham sounds!

[@UjjayaEthnoambient]

Best cover of their discography . Iconic albumn Fluff best title .

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

One of the most iconic covers in all of hard rock.

[@journeyintothebible]

Leave off Fluff and Who are You and you have a perfect album!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Agreed!

[@Stemcellactivationpatches2023]

By far my favorite of the Ozzy era. It’s a masterpiece.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Yes it is!

[@jamie.777]

My favorite sabbath!!! I told my daughters to play Naional Acrobat at my funeral. What a album, I do worship the first 4 ,but SbS is my favorite.. wish they did a deluxe edition with bonus tracks. Only NEVER say die and sbs have no deluxe 😮editions , ozzy wra

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I really hope they give this the Super Deluxe treatment this year, 🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

Hell yeah bro

[@leechild4655]

The fifth wheel and never mentioned was Rick Wakeman. He added parts to things they had without leaving a single fingerprint on the album.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Exactly. I had no idea he played on that song until doing research for this episode.

[@leechild4655]

@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 maybe only hardcore fans know this, and still many dont but, maybe for the better. a faceless session player just there for support.

[@miguelcruz2682]

True Sabbath fans know about this old school of rick wakeman played on this record doesn't matter he still go his royalties!!!. SO??.

[@richardhincemon]

Rick Wakeman was given credit for his keyboards on Sabra Cadabra W.B. records 1972 album release and was paid by the band in 🍺.

[@richardhincemon]

@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 Check out the song What to Do by Vanusa Brazilian female vocalist before the release of S.B.S. very similar riff 🤔

[@markravitz1684]

It's amazing what time has done to all of them. Geezer is the only one in reasonably good health. But then again .....it is 50 years later

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Yeah I think the hard living caught up to them.

[@markravitz1684]

Shame these guys don't have the capacity to realize this when they are young@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486

[@miguelcruz2682]

​@@markravitz1684nobody at that age would think about it. it's the same thing as saying (" I wasn't asked to be born!!) ??.. guess what NOBODY DID!!.🙄🤨😡🤣😂

[@mikekeeler6362]

​@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486well cancer caught up to Tony Iommi

[@mikekeeler6362]

​@@markravitz1684the rock bands of today have never learn their lesson

[@lisandromurphy6894]

This is a good album, but not ranked in their top three. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is their kick ass song on this album. Love the coverage Jeff. Thx again! 👍🏼

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks! My favorite Sabbath album!

[@henriklowendal1779]

Best album ever, i have a 1.5 meter x 1.5 meter canvas board of the album cover over my head in bed…

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

That’s awesome! Life! Imitating art.

[@headbangerministries]

Always wondered why they never played past the same songlist at concerts.

[@bv3bv334]

The best Ozzy album. Not a bad track.

[@charlesbronson4282]

National Acrobat is onr their finest moments...

[@stevenr2463]

Im "Sabbath" since Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. So guess Im quite old now. That and Sabotage being my favourite albums. The first 4 of course. Still a regular. Seen them three times over the decades. Last 2017 (The End) unfortunately without Bill Ward.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Yeah it’s a shame they couldn’t reconcile with Bill. Would have made the reunion feel more complete.

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

This is so killer

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you bro!

[@user-1-800-spanked]

my favorite Sabbath lp, touring with Yes Rick Wakeman was on the Sabbath bus and they got along and partied, the he was asked to play Keyboards and , i love the fact that Tony was not afraid to put Acoustic pcs , the last Sabbath lp to me sucked, and the dude that produced it put on the 1st lp and told the band , this is what i want, WTF, bad start dude, i would have put this one on and not said a word, just sat down and cranked it, and i bet it would have got the creative juices flowing, ,,,Jan S

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I agree, so much creativity on this album and you couldn’t ask for a better keyboardist than Rick Wakeman.

[@c0uchsl0uch]

This album is a 10/10

[@daveh9335]

Correct

[@pedrorocha9722]

How can an album be experimental and somehow fail to be groundbreaking? This is my fav BS album. The opener is an absolute masterpiece and probably their best production. And now my pontification, if I may: this one is better than the previous two, and it is their last great album....ever. Sabotage, like 3 and 4 is close, but no cigar...

[@Matasky2010]

Wrong, the first 6 albums are all masterpieces.

[@pedrorocha9722]

@@Matasky2010 WRONG! I never said it wasn't. I said the opener, the first track was a masterpiece.

[@Matasky2010]

@@pedrorocha9722 U said SBS was their ‘last great album’, I say WRONG! 6 great albums in a row.

[@pedrorocha9722]

@@Matasky2010 You know? I don't want to be right, I want to be happy.

[@chuckselvage3157]

My favourite Sabbath album is Master of Reality but SBS isn't far behind.

[@TheBFN]

😈🔱👿 how do yall feel about the remastered cds?... Are they better or should i get the originals..ty

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Definitely get the remasters!

[@happyhippythevinylguy]

who is your favorite member of Sabbath?

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Tony Iommi by a mile.

[@miguelcruz2682]

Without the spine, brain, core, essence, oil, brilliance,heart,soul, grace, mastermind, Lost finger tips, with no introduction well ALL KNOW!! who really IS the wickedest man in THIS band !! GOD said let there be TONY IOMMY!!🙏🙌💥👊🤘🎸✌️

[@mykelc205]

More radio friendly mix wasn't my thing. Songs are great though.

[@michaelfried3123]

You can only trust yourself and the first 6 Black Sabbath albums...

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Absolutely!

[@andisubomil1600]

I'd like to correct you in one point,saying the first 7 albums instead of 6 !

[@michaelrandle8316]

I'll correct the both of you. Only trust yourself and the first 8 Black Sabbath albums. Enough said!

[@nikolaosRt]

8 LPs from this band in 70s is a crime vs rock music.They should had released 15 I was late in joining their music but after listening to their work I don't really care about any other rock band Unique stuff

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I agree. If they hadn’t let drugs fracture the band who knows how deep their catalog could have been.

[@nikolaosRt]

@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 yes!It s obvious after Vol 4 how bad drugs use affected them.Their live concerts until 1972 were great the songs were performed even better than studio versions

[@ChrisShortyAllen]

Every band becomes stale.

[@ChrisShortyAllen]

Great album but let down by inability or inclination to play well live. Needed backing musicians and vocals.

[@user-eo2oz2tf4q]

At there peak this and sabotage, the 2 albums after were OK..no Ozzy no sabbath.. imo started to sound like lron maiden Saxon Priest.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Yes they did

[@geecee4746]

I never liked the keyboards on this album, sounds awful to me in places. Otherwise great songs, prefer vol4 though.

[@chrispetritsch1291]

The main part of Killing Yourself To Live is still monstrously heavy! I never really liked the way Sabbath would sometimes just start what felt like a totally different song half way through another. It works on Sabbath Bloody Sabbath for example, because, though somewhat different, it still seems to be telling the story of the song, if you know what i mean. But not in this case. I've always felt the huge switch in direction half way through Killing Yourself To Live is a blight on the song and stops it reaching it's full potential. Don't get me wrong, the tangent they go off on is a decent piece of music on it's own but for me, it's just a big disappointment here.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Yeah I feel like SBS and Sabotage are two of their heaviest most satisfying albums. Their best albums in my opinion.

[@gianthills]

Good hard rock album, just not metal.

[@lancecrocket2391]

To be a fly on the wall during the recording process, the pranks on bill alone would make anyone want to go back in time, and to think the mighty iommi couldnt come up with riffs. Wow. And they pull a masterpiece out of thier stash!!!!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Exactly! That had to have been some amazing blow.

[@lancecrocket2391]

@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 ya think !!??? 😆lol