Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi on the occult and drug use

[@jonathanpressman1986]

Tony really shows a lot of class during this interview. It's a shame that the interviewer couldn't make more of his time with this truly extraordinary man.

[@budahbaba7856]

Agreed. From what i have seen in interviews with all of the original Black Sabbath (okay, Ozzy is his own creature) they are quite humble and willing to talk. Those qualities alone make them a great resource for musicians who care to listen. I mean, these are guys that actually created something. Go to the source.

[@geoycs]

I think the time was very well spent. All the questions and answers were very revealing. I don’t see it as a lost opportunity. I got to know Iommi better, and am grateful for that. Is there more to the interview? It cuts off rather abruptly.

[@larryjohnston929]

He asked questions that most would be afraid to ask. Artists should have to answer for what they have promoted. They too often get a pass.

[@Crazytownmetal6]

He shows class in all his interviews, he has culture and class. He is quite wealthy as well, over a 140 million.

[@rickpeterson8825]

​@Crazytownmetal6 His wealth is irrelevant, it's who Tony is person who is straightforward and honest guy! I appreciate people who have a direct approach!

[@5jerry1]

Iommi is a perfect gentleman throughout this.

[@howardreed6969]

and candidly honest

[@ronaldshank7589]

He's very candid, and he's also very articulate. I hear him, and I have no problem with understanding his particular vernacular. However, when queried about how Ozzy was put out of Black Sabbath, he didn't mention that it was he himself, that gave the order to fire Ozzy...and yet, wouldn't "Do the deed" to Ozzy's face, himself. He had Bill Ward, the Drummer, break the news to Ozzy, that Ozzy had been fired from Black Sabbath. As we all know, Ozzy took that firing very badly...but who can blame him for that? Ah, well...it is what it is.

[@TheMack]

@@ronaldshank7589 Totally agree! Although Ozzy has said later that him getting fired "was the best thing that could happen" since he then got to do his solo stuff. Personally I think Ozzy had more to win, and so he did, rather than Black Sabbath who had everything to lose. Sure, Dio filled the spot, but Ozzy got a great fresh new start with a killer band and guitarist Randy Rhoads. It's nice that they later re-united Black Sabbath, love that "The End" live album (although Bill Ward doesn't play on it).

[@victortomasetti5186]

Another media hit piece. This interviewer is just interested in controversy. His motives seem to be to embarrass the person he's interviewing. It is so obvious. Kind of disgraceful. Really makes for an awkward experience. Tony showed a lot of class, not to get angry and aggravated.

[@izzy574]

...god forbid you ask tough questions, give me a break. What is the name of the show?? I love Tony as a musician. Black Sabbath was my very first concert. I don't see any problems asking hard questions, he's a grown man and a wealthy one at that.

[@RPSchonherr]

I always took Black Sabbath songs as warnings about evil.

[@fromthedoor22]

same here, man, same here.

[@RPSchonherr]

Always that but I think the discussion was about lyrical meaning.

[@rexjansen356]

+the devil cried absulutly correct people see hear what they want too its music its hype those that see Satan in music are as week minded as the religeous nuts there's a you tube post they sold there souls for rock n roll claims there all possessed by demons listen to guys like iommi speak there's regrets not the words of devil worshippers its a show get it religeous types need a enemy to sell there brand of voodoo like a band needs image to sell theres

[@monikaridenchock2064]

+Rex Jansen those that see Satan in Black Sabbath are only bringing their own demons to the surface and projecting them on others. no matter how religious the are they all have hidden demons somewhere hiding inside that needs to be dealt with. why not just blame our insecurities on others. everyone else does it. I'm sure BBC has reaked just as much havoc in people's lives with all the propaganda they spread. nobody committed suicide over Black Sabbath vocals. Something else drew them to that level and that experience allowed them to play the song the wrong way in their head. it's not black sabaths fault the message of the song was received innacurately

[@monikaridenchock2064]

+Rex Jansen those that see Satan in Black Sabbath are only bringing their own demons to the surface and projecting them on others. no matter how religious the are they all have hidden demons somewhere hiding inside that needs to be dealt with. why not just blame our insecurities on others. everyone else does it. I'm sure BBC has reaked just as much havoc in people's lives with all the propaganda they spread. nobody committed suicide over Black Sabbath vocals. Something else drew them to that level and that experience allowed them to play the song the wrong way in their head. it's not black sabaths fault the message of the song was received innacurately

[@charliepickard7798]

I'm 57 and have listened to Black Sabbath my entire life and have never killed myself 🙄 or anyone else. I taught Sunday School for 15 years and am in the pew every Sunday. Music is art, it doesn't lead people down a certain road, they are ready on the road before they ever encounter the music.

[@timswauger8381]

Amen to that!

[@susanm7925]

I agree

[@newzebulon5313]

Remember Lucifer was the music man in heaven

[@susanm7925]

@@newzebulon5313 yeah, according to the Christian creed/cult his body was actually made of musical instruments!

[@newzebulon5313]

@@susanm7925 and also gemstones,he was also called the morning star and the angel of light,but interesting note the correlation between music and the decline of moral values

[@AgentXPQ]

Tony Iommi. Father of Heavy Metal. Creator of some of the most indelible riffs of all time. Apparently, he is also a man of admirable restraint.

[@dewilew2137]

Yeah, this interviewer was way out of line.

[@coldstreamcybernaut2845]

When Moral Majority types talked about heavy metal being "devil's music" way back in the 70/80s it was laughable. And to rehash it 40 years later to sound like you are asking "hard" questions just sounds ridiculous.

[@jpmccray6754]

Interviewer = Wanker

[@christopherstevenrankin]

OMG. He's not metal. Why do so many people think that? Even Tony himself has said this too.

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

Restraint from what? From punching this bloke in the grill?

[@rafasounds2010]

I like Tony's posture in this interview. He was honest, cool, just a plain no BS guy. He knew the guy wanted to be tough but he knew how to handle it. Nobody knows what leads a person to commit suicide. The lyrics to After Forever are actually pro-God and christianity.

[@ronaldshank7589]

There are quite a few things, that can lead to a person committing suicide. I encourage everyone that ever thinks about that, to GET HELP IMMEDIATELY! You don't have to die. Life is beautiful, no matter what you're going through. Stay alive, no matter what!

[@jeffreybabor2585]

Most of their lyrics are more Christian than non Christian

[@TheGiantMidget]

​@@jeffreybabor2585this is something that really made me think about how full of shit most people are. We always heard black sabbath were these devil worshipping maniacs playing evil rock music and you actually pay attention to the lyrics in context and everything they say is against the devil. Fucking idiots out there think that if a band sings about something that must mean they are in favour of that thing. Like they can't even fathom the fact that a band would sing about things they are against

[@kilterkaos1]

I was a preteen walking along a country road going home from a friends house. I found an 8track of Black Sabbath. That was my introduction to Sabbath.

[@danielholtxxl4936]

Someone tossed it out of their car because it made them feel creepy.

[@elg4192]

What album

[@aaronamor3482]

Yeah which album @Kilter Kaos

[@Svvithred]

The first album, by the sounds of it.

[@arthurhudgens8213]

That's a cool story..isn't it odd how things enter our lives sometimes🙂

[@rift2045]

bad journalism has done much worse for the world than song lyrics and electric guitars

[@weedian710]

The nurse was probably listening to "Paranoid" because it was her favorite song, the last one she wanted to hear. RIP

[@tomlund4951]

It’s a song about mental instability…just callin a spade a spade. If you ever think of hurting yourself call a friend or a hotline… you are not alone ✌🏻

[@shaynewest8757]

The album Paranoid was on the turntable not the single and had nothing to do with her suicide.

[@azpowerhitter]

In any of the reasons ever given for suicide…are they ever widely justified for anyone? No. You soldier on and get some help.

[@thomasliepitz778]

Nice profile pic man

[@bruffyb3796]

He's acting as though Iommi has to explain himself, he's a genius and a legend, who's this guy? lol

[@Boxingbear]

I dont like this interviewer.

[@jordinho4ever]

The show is literally called hardtalk

[@TestingTesting-tl7pz]

Seriously! He’s so combative and smug! Meanwhile Tony is just like, nah it’s just what he saw in the world... 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Hello-jm8qb]

@@TestingTesting-tl7pz yeah but ig the question did make sense right ? Like hes also a part of the music so it creates a responsibility in a way for him too right ? I thought it was a good question. The way he asked too i think the question was of such nature it would have come off rude either way, i personally liked the question and it also gave me insight in what he thinks when tragedies happen and how the band's music impacts them and their future music. I really dont think the interviewer can persist to ask insight on statements that some other band member ( in this case ozzy ) said, this may cause misunderstandings and i dont think the show has such basis.

[@bretthopkins1629]

This dude interviewing him is the epitome of the ignorant people of the 70's who wanted to crucify Sabbath.

[@rikkviper2012]

such noble and articulate responses from Iommi! The Master.

[@Bob-nz7lh]

Exactly how the Devil would talk.

[@oceanbacon3535]

How do you know? Have you spoken to him personally?

[@treystephens6166]

Count Dracula 🧛🏻‍♂️ is The Master ‼️

[@cicero.0209]

Tony Iommi...Probably one of the greatests man alive on this fucking planet!! TRUE LEGEND!

[@jeka_wild]

That's true, man... 🤘🏻

[@occamsrazor9259]

I love Tony. This interveiwer is a tool, Blackmore would have tore him up!

[@weedian710]

Probably literally!

[@AlbertEinsteinSpock]

Ritchie would've cracked some jokes, most likely. The interviewer wanted to press Iommi about some sensitive issues and was probably surprised how candid Iommi was - a credit to Tony.

[@grimlund]

Iommi sounds like the most down to earth guy in all the metalscene.

[@sameebah]

He certainly seems the sort of guy you could bump into in the pub and have a good chat with.

[@rft2001]

I think that is because when he came up, the bands were not posers like they are today. That ethic of being real, permeated not just hippie culture but pretty much all of the youth and music counterculture.

[@johnmartinussen1911]

Tony Iommi seems to be a very down to earth type of man.Fantastic guitar player.

[@bird718]

Tony Iommi was one of my big influences for picking up the guitar back as a little kid.

[@rsd338]

"after forever" is one of the most pro-God, songs / lyrics ever written by Black Sabbath or any metal band...

[@sannhetiblodet2813]

I know. Both Deliverance and Stryper have done covers of that song.

[@michaelmichaels138]

STRYPER did a great remake.

[@sannhetiblodet2813]

@@UnashamedlyGodSquad I don’t think anyone said that the members of Black Sabbath were Christians, just that the song “After Forever” has a biblically based message. However, there are Christian bands with names like Vomitorial Corpulence and Vomitous Discharge. And no, I’m not going to get into a debate over whether a Christian band should have a name like that.

[@cavscout62]

@@UnashamedlyGodSquad - Oh, ok. Sayeth the all knowing keyboard God.🤣🤣🤣

[@AlbertEinsteinSpock]

@@UnashamedlyGodSquad They weren't practicing Christians, but Geezer Butler was raised Catholic and the song "After Forever" mentions the Pope and that "God is the only way to love." The real theme was anti-war, anti-destruction. They do wear the Cross onstage, so - yes - Christ will judge in the end: you, me, everyone. As He said, "Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

[@sparkomatic100]

What people have to understand here is... this interview is called hard talk... I’m sure Tony was prompted on the type of questions to be asked.. He handled them brilliantly and realistically.. I think it’s important to ask questions that have been circulated over time of 40 years in span... I thinks it’s awesome that Tony can address these concerns and tell his side and view from his experiences straight up.. Great job Tony!

[@dewilew2137]

Thank you for the context. I assumed the interviewer was just rude.

[@prosperoeaton8201]

The problem isn't that the questions are hard. It's that they are not based in reality. For example, the interviewer is proceeding from the assumption that "After Forever" is a song celebrating Satan when it is the most pro Christ song that Sabbath ever recorded. He's not being "hard" or asking "tough" questions, he's being tabloid trash.

[@ryanbowen9718]

@@dewilew2137 that’s just how the bbc interviews people watch any interview of someone that they don’t think is on their side

[@tbd-1]

It's also not likely this is the first time he's answered these questions. Maybe not all in one sitting but I'm sure by this time he's heard them all.

[@Syd-41]

“The lyrics are what happens in the world”. Perfectly stated by Tony because it’s true. How someone interprets those lyrics and may act upon their interpretation of the lyrics is completely the responsibility of that person. I read another comment about this stating (I’m paraphrasing) that the music doesn’t lead people down a certain road because they are already on that road. I believe that to be true as I’ve listened to this music for a very long time and it’s never had a negative effect on me personally.

[@mikelyga7129]

This is a great interview. Tony Iommi provided honest and straightforward answers to all the questions

[@RockaFellaa]

There’s something about the music in Black Sabbath that gives me hope. I’ve been listening to them since I was a kid thanks to my parents and yes they have a dark element to their music but there’s something about them that’s really quite uplifting, to me they aren’t doom and gloom and that’s why I love them. I’m not a metal fan either but Sabbath have got to be in my top 5 bands of all time

[@pittsflyr51]

Tony has got to be a really upbeat person to smooth this interview over so well.

[@slavicharrystyles6914]

This interviewer is awful. Putting a legend like Tony Iommi on the spot like that.

[@grimdrum2396]

Agreed. He might as well tell Tony "shame on you for the life you lived".

[@jasoncole767]

Agree an like journalist's an the whole msm are whiter than white.....NOT.. .

[@AlbertEinsteinSpock]

But it turned into a good, candid interview. Tony showed class and stepped up to the plate to answer all the questions, which the interviewer appreciated. That is the way to handle abrupt questions: face them head on, and put the interviewer back on his heels instead of throwing a tantrum and getting intimidated.

[@Kivikesku]

The show is Hard Talk. They always ask nasty questions. Tony knew this, went there voluntarily and handled it well. He is an actual boomer, which means he is not a snowflake.

[@jnthemyst]

"We never sacrificed anybody on stage" well there ya go!

[@WilliamKKidd]

NuclearBunny970 They usually did it in the crowd...

[@christopherwalker6056]

Not on stage. They took them home to their 'lair' and sacrificed them on a black altar. Come on man, everybody knows this!!!

[@Tom-fh3zg]

jnthemyst ......lol, good for them....lol

[@imaouima]

A midget was badly injured backstage during the Born Again tour, or so I've heard.

[@jerseydeviljohnnyfeds9347]

"On stage" is the key to that comment.. I often wonder what these musicians must do for fame. It's obvious to me now that while they may not literally sign a contract with the devil Sinister shit goes down. Look at every major act. At least one of the members or immediate family members suffer

[@hazor777]

Tony Iommi is one of the very few people who discovered/ developed and perfected a genre of popular modern music - his compositions and use of detuned guitars and distortion set the precedent for the ‘Metal’ genre(‘s)

[@scissors656]

after forever is a song against satanism.

[@Adrian_Martinez1261]

It's about religion in general, not just satanism at all.

[@AlbertEinsteinSpock]

​@@Adrian_Martinez1261 It's pro-God, for sure. The lyrics defend the Pope, and the song witnesses to the need to turn away from sin and hate and believe in God.

[@theonlyonekingelvis3842]

The fact is they were terrified of real occultism and were laughed at by genuine occultists in the late 60s

[@lockandloadlikehell]

The Bible is occult

[@dadadruma]

I would love to be in a pub in London having a few pints with Tony and Brian May two of the most humble Guitar icons ever!!

[@guitarttimman]

I seen Black Sabbath a lot of times in the 70's, and they always put on a kick ass show! This is the kind of music we need to bring back! Rock on Tony you're awesome!

[@JawTooth]

+Tim Rubin Halcomb I was tripping balls back then

[@guitarttimman]

Jaw Tooth Me too

[@stinkfinger6211]

Sabbath always great....but have to admit, Dio gave them more depth. Tony and geezer are Kings!

[@stinkfinger6211]

+yadig jamesgang I disagree. i saw Ozzy too, Blizzard of Oz right through....but Dio gave Sabbath a powerful, dark tone that suited Tony's guitar better. to each their own

The most humble and unassuming man who invented the nastiest , heaviest droning guitar riffs ever. The ultimate riff master

[@DeathPullThePlug]

Just funny how black sabbath was one of the first groups ever to introduce these type of themes and I'm a huge sabbath fan and it's funny how there are bands now like cannibal corpse that are outright obscene and over the top but black sabbath was far more eloquent and creative lyrically. Their stuff was just dark and passionate not straight stupid and Gorey

[@ilovebutterstuff]

Lol, Cannibal Corpse is like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre of the music world. Not for everyone, but it has it's place, just as Black Sabbath does.

[@rft2001]

@@ilovebutterstuff Yeah, they have their place but they are kind of low level and adolescent. They are over the top and substitute shock value in order to cover up for their lack of taste and musical artistry. People of all ages can dig on Sabbath but I highly doubt that anyone will be listening to silly bands like Cannibal Corpse when they get older unless they are permanently infantilized.

[@GriefTourist]

jesus christ you can't blame Sabbath for every last suicide!!

[@arhamimran1382]

We have Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift for that.

[@rgenherehjartablo1742]

GriefTourist the reason why these suicidal people have albums like this is because 9/10 times it makes you feel less depressed or what not

[@janeclarke7929]

Arham Imran lmfaoooo

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

GriefTourist These people had obvious psychological problems and were affected by something in the music that touched them off. But by no means is Sabbath, the Beatles,,or any other band that's had this happened to even remotely responsible. It's the sick twisted brains of those people.

[@nopretribrapture2318]

GriefTourist JESUS CHRIST IS LORD. ..

[@whoami7721]

The band has always had an aura of the occult, probably unintentionally. The ghost stories around how "Black Sabbath" written and recording in a haunted castle near Scotland are always entertaining and add to their allure.

[@aprilgosa8866]

I gurantee you if Someone killed themselves with the Brady Bunch playing in the background nobody would blame the brady bunch these types of bands were easy targets because they were hard rock

[@danielholtxxl4936]

Yeah, well no one killed themselves listening to the Brady Bunch. That's the difference.

[@tonypage9302]

How Do you Know? And Nobody has killed themselves to Black sabath either, You Do Realize That Black sabath was extremely popular so alot of people had their Albulms in they're A track, I'm sure alot of people that committed Suicide had other Albulms playing but people only Notice when it's Black Sabath

[@echohotel7975]

@@tonypage9302 8 track not "A" track no such thing as an A track unless your referring to side A side B

[@briank8697]

50 years of heavy music, nothing else needs to be stated

[@letsdanceonhere]

Tony Iommi is a class act.

[@Arc333Angel]

The interviewer sounds like he's on a witch hunt. "A woman killed herself, and paranoid was on her record player." Suggesting that Black Sabbath was somehow responsible for the suicide is the epitome of ignorance. As a mental health professional of more than 20 years, I can tell you that people don't kill themselves because of a song on the record player. There has to be a hell of a lot of other stuff going on in their lives and in their minds to bring them to that dark place where all hope is lost. Paranoid caused a woman to kill herself? Irresponsible, hurtful and incredibly uninformed comment. This interviewer should apologize, and change his routine or take up another career. Tony responded with a lot of class.

[@ANOMALY1ate]

I agree, But people do overlook the powerful effect of words...."There's power of life and death in the tongue"......that's why artists when they're older regret some of the things they sang about in their younger days.

[@ViciousMaximus]

as a "As a mental health professional"... Are we all crazy or stupid?Don´t need to be a professional to know that LOL

[@beekay5914]

She may have also left behind a half eaten sandwich-did that make her kill herself?

[@beekay5914]

simpleton

[@patrickmccutcheon8860]

They've been kicking that dead horse since that record came out.. Ozzy had a song on his first solo record called "Suicide Solution" and they blamed that song for some kid's death, too. It's all bullshit to push you away from truth and reality because they deem it too harsh. Maybe they should take a listen to the tripe these kids listen to today and go after those idiots putting out that music.

[@rebeccacombs8781]

Dio said some of the sayonces he attended scared the hell out of him and that he would never do it at his home because he didnt want to bring that presence into his home...Ronnie also wrote all of his own lyrics and told us stories of what hes witnessed and experienced...

[@jorgemenchufarias8174]

Musicians are not responsible for the problems of the consumers. I've listened to BS for years, and and far from causing me any problem I think their work has always been awesome!

[@-----Disciple-----------]

chea, words aren't responsible for what words say. Especially to impressionable children. No one is responsible. Just irresponsible.

[@PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPI]

You’d hope that if you’re in a band called black sabbath with ozzy Osborn you’d know a thing or two about both. Met Toni once and shook his hand, beautiful man, very serene

[@akeeperofoddknowledge4956]

Thank you, fellow commenters! I thought I was missing the point to Black Sabbath's songs because they made me feel good and I took their lyrics as warnings about the dark side. Looks like I'm not alone! Also, After Forever is my all time favorite song ( tied with Rush's XANADU ) because both music and lyrics are very powerful! Master If Reality is still my all time favorite album and the first if their albums I ever heard. It was Tony's guitar that made me fall in love with the guitar and got me interested in music, when I had no interest in it before.

[@miguelcorleone6633]

Rush's Xanadu...live version from the "Exit Stage Left" album....Awesome song and music!! One of my favorites.

[@cuttlefisch]

The interviewer knows nothing about music, metal or otherwise. Simple as.

[@cosmicdrifter287]

+Basil II Macedonia he don`t looks right for the part.lol.

[@troyevitt2437]

Not sure about that. He knew what a diminished 5th is. Basically, if you play Do, Re, Mi, So...and then go one piano key below "So", that's a Dim5. In the early days of the Catholic church, commissioned religious music could not have that note, ergo "the Devil's note".

[@goblinkillahd8396]

The music was imbedded with occult witchcraft with subliminal brainwashing with suicidal undertones

[@goblinkillahd8396]

He regrets all the people with weak minds who are susceptible to hypnosis who killed themselves because of the subliminal messages his music had in it

[@TheWelcome7]

Rubbish! you know nothing about Sabbath, listen to lyrics, read the lyrics, it's about the dark side of life, it was and still is a reality. Even the bible doesn't just talk about the brighter side of life, we wouldn't need to read it if it was only about one aspect of life. Sabbath just told it like it is. War Pigs for example was a reflecting on war and corrupt politicians after their own greed, not thinking about the consequence when facing God in judgement. The song Black Sabbath was inspired by an experience Geezer had with an evil spirit that he suspected was conjured by an occult book Ozzy lent him and he threw it away asap! And it was the record's company for all their record covers. So as the old saying goes, you can't judge a book by it's cover. The only thing you could say was morally wrong was the drug dependance, which they regretted later. As far as their music being imbedded with occult witchcraft with subliminal brainwashing with suicidal undertones, I myself have been listening to their music since the early 80's and was never influenced or inspired to go into the occult or satanism, nor was I inspired to kill myself. So there you go.

[@dako143]

Now I know why Bill Ward was not on the final tour with Ozzy

[@donmathews817]

When I saw Black Sabbath in 1978...with a young Van Halen on the tour...and it took 5 minutes between songs for Ozzy...and I saw him mixing drinks...I know he was not long for the band!

[@6801ls350]

The Interviewer is a Spice Girls fan!

[@abark]

If only journalists could be this combative and antagonistic toward politicians these days.

[@OneMan-wl1wj]

abark well said..I was thinking the exact same thing, seemed a bit too much for this interview though..as evinced by the rest of the comments here.

[@xTriangle]

When I look into this mans eyes I see a dude who seen a lot of messed up stuff that he wishes he didn't see and can't forget someone who has a lot of regrets and has done a lot of wrong ..everyone who is still here can change for the positive

[@SteveAuger2021]

I think the darkest lyrics were on "The Headless Cross" album. Tony Martin is an outstanding singer.

[@Chuloloc]

Awesome. Interesting interview. Long Live Tony Iommi.

[@vonroretz3307]

He probably got the riff from Hendrix. Purple Haze begins with a E-Bflat riff

[@richardhincemon9423]

Gustav Holst English composer the planets. Specifically Mars!

[@rashikislam3985]

Tony showed remarkable patience & restraint. Perfect gentleman.

[@jizzythefroggy1108]

Tony is the classiest Heavy Metal Musician there is.

[@JohnSmith-rk6jy]

Black Sabbath Saved my live. Motorhead gave it back to me.

[@awizardalso]

The occult thing was thrown on them. Listen to their lyrics, never did I find them endorsing occultism. Up until Never Say Die, they pretty much just told me what was happening in the world around me. Granted, I'm not familiar with much of Sabbath after Ozzy left. They just weren't the same without him. Heaven and Hell was the last album I bought, until 13! Now they're missing Bill! They got the sound back, but they're still not quite the same.

[@JohnSmith-rk6jy]

No Bill, No Sabb.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

Lol why be afraid of endorsing the Bible

[@mattmoves5920]

You have Tony Iommi,a real gentleman who made the history of music and you just keep on asking him about drugs and satanic stuff and people killing themselves? Really?

[@LaurieValdez-zk3dy]

Thank you very much Philadelphia USA 🇺🇸 God Bless Everyone Always

[@EugeniaNemtseva]

so beautiful voice Tony has..

[@richtc8053]

Thank you Tony for being transparent and being up front and truthful. You're a good man. Thank you.

[@Gustavsnaf]

Real life long Sabbath fans know its rock and roll, its metal, its jazz its the blues. Iommi says it's music. We dont disagree The lyrics are mystical, thought provoking and wise. To hell with the theories of "Sabbath is Evil" they were a workingmans band and they will forever be the four fathers of metal

[@antonelloschiano5815]

Grande chitarrista, compositore e persona, niente da aggiungere! Tony è stato estremamente sincero, seppur pressato dal giornalista, ha saputo rispondere senza alterarsi da vero gentleman inglese. Molti testi dei Sabbath sono vicini alla fede cristiana, più di altri gruppi, e soltanto il nome di questa epocale band ha reso molti, critici verso di loro. Sono da sempre la mia band preferita. Grazie per aver pubblicato questa intervista

[@zodiacbluesbaby]

Tony is too defensive here, he's letting the guy put him on the spot with the usual adversarial BBC routine.

[@thewhatorwhy]

+zodiacbluesbaby Exactly my thoughts.

[@thewhatorwhy]

"the content is a bit more genuine." Predictable and shallow more like - only the host and others seem to think it's clever.

[@thewhatorwhy]

Yes, the American approach is also annoying. I find the Anglo-American culture to be one of the less intellectual (copied by everyone else too).

[@zodiacbluesbaby]

There's a middle way between celebrity toadying and a Grand Inquisitor pose, which is: know your subject and ask interesting questions.

[@jas22]

+zodiacbluesbaby I'm not getting that at all. The interviewer is probing, sure, but he wasn't exactly scolding the guy. He (the interviewer) knew to dig a little to bring forth a deeper answer to the interesting topic of Sabbath's connection to the occult.

[@heatherwade2373]

Tony’s music has only ever lifted me, never hurt me. Long live Black Sabbath!!!

[@strattuner]

Black Sabbath is not responsible for the freaks of the world,they are entertainers,and I like their music, never did I ever think about stepping out of a 10 story window or any of that nonsense,see that cross around the neck of the riff master,you realize later in life when you grow up their is a boss of the boss,these people found out early what powder does to the human brain,i'm praying for you TONY IOMMI I need you well,you are an inspiration to all the kids picking up six stringed instruments,and I like having you around dude,a real genius on the neck of gibson

[@TY-uv8yv]

After Forever is practically a hymn.

[@robertgodlewski8553]

Excellent interview. I never thought about Black Sabbath being evil. The first song I remember hearing as a kid was Iron Man. I was like hey I love iron man from the comics so it hit home. Then along comes war pigs which I thought was about the Vietnam war. I guess the only real evil I witnessed was politicians sending young men off to die in a war. Maybe if the politicians were forced to be on the front lines with a rifle in their hands then things might be handled a bit differently.

[@Beerchasers]

These questions have been asked and answered so many times through the years. Yet here we are.

[@archieherrington4506]

We who listen to this type of music already gravitate towards depression and this is cathartic for us, if we lose this battle it’s not the music that caused it, we just finally get to low or just give up. I also turn to God for help. Does this mean it’s his influence on why we give up on our battles, no, if you don’t feel this up and down roller coaster you cannot understand. For everyone who relates please don’t stop fighting because you are loved and we are in this together.

[@ilovebutterstuff]

Remember when the highs were comparable to the lows? Man, those were the days! I've been on a 8 year long low, and things just keep getting worse. Every blessing is a double edged sword and the only way I can get through it is by turning the distortion way up on my amp and playing along to some Sabbath, or Killswitch Engage, Danzig maybe.

[@gscgold]

War Pigs...relevant then when written and even more so today..Classic song and truthful

[@faroukkane6244]

God bless Tony Iommi

[@bobjames1992]

It looks like Tony is taken aback by this Cheese Dicks questions. Perhaps in the days of his youth he would have just given the idiot a Turkish crescent snap kick to the head. He could have, however, just given the ill considered questions some simple responses that would have turned the tables . Here's a couple or examples: 1. When Cheese Dick mentions the diminished 5th (or diabolus in musica) in their music(1:00), Tony confirms it. Then Cheese Dick straight way mentions that Paranoid was playing on a turntable of a girl who killed herself. The fact that Tony hadn't written any riffs with the diminished 5th for that song doesn't seem to matter to Cheese Dick. Iommi should have set his straight there. 2. Also Cheese Dick mentions at 2:35 that the lyrics to After Forever were written on the walls at the Son Of Sams apartment. If anyone reads these lyric (which Cheese Dick obviously hasn't) they are quite blatant CHRISTIAN lyrics and as as far from satanic as they ever got. Black Sabbath are about as responsible for the Son Of Sam murders as Mother Teresa was.

[@bobjames1992]

Proton2112 Once you find out you'd wish you never knew.

[@kcrock2932]

Interviewer blows... Iommi rules 😎 Should've told that clown a few things 😂 lol

[@tiluriso]

That ending is priceless - 'no acid or anything....'...(just coke and 'ludes)...as if LSD was a 'worse drug' than cocaine and methaqualone.

[@csnide6702]

Totally frank and honest about subjects that could be "touchy".......... THAT is why sabbath is so good - honest music played the way they want......

[@gtron7692]

I loved when Dio was with Sabbath ❤.

[@J0HNJ0RDAN]

I think it's interesting that the lead guitarist for a band called "Black Sabbath" unknowingly wrote a guitar riff for one of their first hits, also called "Black Sabbath" that entirely revolved around "the devil's interval". It would be one thing if he had picked that progression to fit their image but for it to happen on its own seems more significant somehow.

[@kcrock2932]

It is badass 😎

[@Michael-bl4no]

It’s just a creepy sounding interval he heard in all the Hammer horror films of the day. Sabbath’s key changes often sound like a horror movie soundtrack. Hence, why Iron Man and Paranoid alone have been used in countless films. I’m sure he probably stumbled upon it and went, “oooh, that’s creepy, innit?” 🎸😎

[@paulmunro7829]

Iommi & Butler were messing about with Mars-Bringer Of War.........educate yourself.

[@tjgadner8896]

Always liked his playing, very glad to see he’s also a great dude

[@michaelbarr3039]

That's crazy about that serial killer having the lyrics to After Forever written on his wall. That song was one of the things God used to convict me and lead me to salvation in Christ.

[@jerrybeloin7472]

I understand this guy alot i mean you can tell he is a good guy alot like myself in many ways sabbath will always live in our hearts beautiful lyrics

[@alihuchyad7929]

i love tony's riffs to death

[@Southernguitar74]

I've listened to Sabbath all my life, and never had suicidal thoughts because of it. SMH...

[@AlbertEinsteinSpock]

Could it be you're afraid of what your friends might say If they knew you believe in God above? They should realize before they criticize That God is the only way to love - from the song "After Forever"

[@antonhakansson4440]

Damn, Tony really handeld handled that pretty good. Can't really blame the interviewer though I mean he obiously knew nothing about music, they probably just handed him a list of provocative questions which he had no choice of asking.

[@rhythmicbeast]

Tony Iommi the godfather of metal ❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@solitudessilentgroove]

"...no Acid or anything like that." Too bad man. Just imagine where the music would have gone if these guys where taking mushrooms instead of cocaine.

[@sohailthehacker]

Dogen Zenji That's not true dude.. bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, The Rolling stones, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Judas Priest, Motor Head, Megadeth, Pantera, Nirvana, Bauhaus(pure fucking gothic horror trip),etc used almost every kind of drug. White Zombie?ahmm their all albums are based on LSD but they never admitted for doing drugs.. Ozzy and Tony are the pioneers of heavy metal and doom metal man! just listen to these songs from Black Sabbath on acid “Electric Funeral,Into the Void,Black Sabbath,Planet Caravan(psychedelic rock),Children of the grave,Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,Symptom of the Universe” then you're completely doomed.. and you know what? Ozzy used to take LSD everyday for about 2 years xD dude he's Ozzy he is insane that's why he is knows as prince of darkness.

[@GingaJamiesBMX]

Its well documented that Ozzy and Geezer did acid for a year straight every day during the recording and tour of Vol. 4

[@tiluriso]

Bill Ward has stated he played many concerts while tripping on LSD.

[@bob733333]

You can't do it everyday, unless you double the dose.

[@richardbondy9199]

Thanks for awesome video; Godfather of gothic metal hands down!

[@DTM-Books]

For the Record: the inverted cross is known as "St Peter's Cross." It is not "Satanic" or any such nonsense. It is a revered symbol in Catholicism, and refers to the Apostle Peter, who was crucified by the Romans upside-down (according to tradition, he did not feel worthy to die the same way as Christ). Yeah, I know, facts are stubborn things. And Iommi is right about the first BS album cover; the cover photo and inverted cross were created by the record label, without the band's consent. Whoops.

[@twentyoneHz]

Aiming for the Kingdom of Heaven blasphemy

[@ginjordom6065]

Depends on who's wearing it. I have a friend who's heavily into the occult and is declaring himself a satanist...he often wears the inverted cross. To him it means whatever it means,ain't nothing about Christianity that's for sure.

[@StratsRUs]

Just for being a Sabbbath fan ? Brutal.

[@ocean88eagle9]

Funny how I don't see any Catholics wearing the so called revered symbol??? If its so revered then why isn't it present in the Rosary, the Priests Robes,,the Nuns habit???? Your argument doesn't hold water. That symbol is Satanic period. For every good and Holy thing in this World ,Satan has a similar bad,and unholy thing to take its place.

[@hoppinonabronzeleg]

How many times do they have to say it. Black Sabbath were never devil worshippers. There is a massive difference between being 'into the occult', and 'being interested in the occult 'The Tritone or diminished fifth was a combination of notes prohibited by the catholic church, centuries ago. The inner gatefold of the first album, was beyond their control.

[@planetwisconsin9901]

The music speaks for itsself.

[@moncorp1]

He showed more patience that I would have with that hatchet job.

[@AlbertEinsteinSpock]

You need to develop more patience with fools.

[@ResidentOfTheAbyss]

This is not an interview, this is more of a police interrogation.

[@shanecarravello2922]

No sh*t.

[@anaxemurderer5094]

Al Pacino has a wonderful British accent

[@shemsuhornephilim7702]

when i was 12 my religous uncle sent me a religous spandex Rock album "Stryper, to hell with The Devil". i took it back to the record shop and traded it fer Black Sabbaths Paranoid Album. i opened it up saw 4 long hair dudes with crosses and dingle balls , they looked fer real . The opening track War Pigs was so fucking heavy with the bomb sierns going off that i took the album off and played their first album fer a few more days. War Pigs rattled me like John lennons Tomorrow Never Knows, it through me fer a loop cause it was so fucking heavy, maybe cause i was 12 but War Pigs remains the heaviest Rock Song of all time and yet what is it really , its Blues , Blues rock, their first album was Blues , Paranoid was Blues Rock (but so bloody heavy and so sweet on viny) Masters and all after Was Rock. The cocaine simply fueled their creativity for a few years , its a stimulant , speed is the same thing. The Beatles relied on diet pills in Hamburg then later Strong Amphetamines which helps the long hours in studios and relentless touring and can help creativity but it can bite you in the ass and usaually does in the end. it comes down to feel and thats Blues , Tony had a limited vocabulary of a Blues scale yet he turned out riff after monstrous riff .The original line up of Black Sabbath were the heaviest rock Band of the day and on every album , even the not so good ones at the end of ozzys term, there are still wicked riffs and a few gems . Thank You Tony for giving us years of killer wicked tunes and riffs. People dont play like this anymore , cause its from the heart and in todays world sincerity seems to be a lost cause...

[@miltontohd5368]

Not on stage but where?

[@MrCleitus]

This is BBC "Hardtalk", all interviews are carried out this way regardless of who it is. It's not supposed to be a Jay Leno fluff interview.

[@benbreeg6839]

peter...true and that is a respectable premise. But hardly seems like worthwhile subject matter at this juncture. Boo to Iommi's people for setting him up for this interview after being ill. The problem I have with this wanna be interrogator is that he keeps pressing the answers as if he is going to get some hidden agenda. Some times the answers are just what they are

[@lloydbenham]

It's insane how the blame for so many of the world's problems got shifted to Black Sabbath and other musicians back in the day. I'm happy the stigma has diminished and they now receive the worldwide appreciation they deserve.

[@AnaiBendai]

Black Sabbath was the first Christian band I ever loved. Listen to the lyrics to AFTER FOREVER. How can you call Sabbath satanic? WTF?

[@AlbertEinsteinSpock]

Here is one verse: Could it be you're afraid of what your friends might say If they knew you believe in God above? They should realize before they criticize That God is the only way to love

[@ducatipitera732]

Everybody hears different messages in music. Thats the beauty and that’s also the tragedy of it. SABBATH 4 EVER 🤘🏼

[@ilovebutterstuff]

I said almost the exact same thing. Every time someone gets famous, assholes like this interviewer want to place responsibility for the choices people make on them. Not everyone is so easily influenced.

[@chrismoore7359]

Tony, Bill and Geezer are really true gentleman compared to Ozzy. I'll always be grateful for the Oz and what his band produced throughout my 49yrs but Ozzy was an animal in comparison to the rest of his old bandmates.

[@jalel_z2867]

It wasn't always like that, they were all fuckin animals, but Tony, Bill, and Geezer all settled down because turns out without drugs they were calm people, but Ozzy was always like that but the drugs just took all that and cranked it to ten

[@davidedwards8365]

Tony Iommi is such a sensible, calm, intelligent and emotional man.

[@taimeuppe6174]

Tony handled this bloke rather well

[@loombaron]

A true gentleman, well spoken person.

[@Eszpresszo]

I find it interesting that he would associate the lyrics from a Sabbath song with the Son of Sam killings. As Tony points out, the lyrics were written by Geezer Butler, who is actually a bit of a pacifist, hippie. Geezer has also been a vegan since the 60's, if that sheds any light on his frame of mind. To suggest that his lyrics were in any way responsible for inciting a deranged individual to commit murder is pretty pathetic.

[@Arc333Angel]

Also, the song on the wall was about God being the "way to love" and the answer to "sin and hate." After Forever is a song that reflects the band's Catholic roots, Geezer's in particular. Suggesting that this somehow motivated murder comes across as grossly irresponsible and badly misinformed. Has this interviewer ever listened to a Black Sabbath song? Doesn't seem like it.

[@dannyhood66]

Gezzar butler a hippie? Black Sabbath is birmimgham Not no san Francisco flower in the hair peace, Sabbath found peace in God 'Afterforever ' is prove , need stand correction, All we do is kickass serious one cannot even fathom so badass pack a lunch cause ill kick your ass.

[@martianshoes]

***** As I understood it, no one said that the lyrics were culpable to what Son of Sam had been doing...but that he had associated those words with Black Sabbath and that secret murderous path he walked. In other words he might not have chosen those verses to relate to if they had been in a song by Blue Suede. Sabbath had a heavy rep, hippie vegans notwithstanding.