Black Sabbath: The Most IMPORTANT Metal Album?

[@adamcauldwell6776]

Bill Ward's drumming on this album is pretty special. He is somewhat underrated, in my opinion.

[@jeffreyratliff4685]

Very underrated.

[@jatsajatsa]

"Somewhat" is somewhat of an understatement.

[@davidpartlow6188]

Agreed, drums as well as bass here are totally unrelated

[@davidpartlow6188]

(Underrated)

[@notalcno9]

Yes, I'm somewhat aggrieved at the non mention of Bill Ward. In my eyes, a better drummer than Bonham. He was the driving force behind Sabbath. Other than that, it's a good video. Thanks.

[@arturslunga4226]

I have always interpreted Planet Caravan as a poetic description of Earth moving through space, with all of us as passengers

[@andrisbrieze4855]

as a long time Sabbath connoisseur, Hand of Doom has evolved into my favourite track. The jazz style drum off-beats in the quieter parts are mesmerizing. Hats off to Bill Ward of course.

[@charlesheck6812]

Black Sabbath played California Jam in April 1974, and my brother recorded the FM simulcast with ABC’s “In Concert” presentation after that. One afternoon, he was playing back what he had recorded and I heard War Pigs for the first time. I borrowed his Paranoid 8- track, took it home and was absolutely mind blown. The Paranoid album was an absolute turning point in my music appreciation at age 14. For me, the first three albums are the quintessential Black Sabbath… But of course, I appreciate Vol. 4 and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath…

[@R2Zmedia]

Exotic cabbage - love it! It was my first Sabbath album and it really is an all time classic although personally I prefer Sabbath Bloody Sabbath which is actually quite proggy. My favourite track on Paranoid has always been Fairies Wear Boots. I'm being honest, you gotta believe me!

[@LesterPotter-b3p]

Fairies Wear Boots! My second favourite after Paranoid.But the whole album is a masterpiece !

[@primevalseeker3952]

2,3 and 4 are masterpieces IMHO. Nothing before or after were so iconic and have legs like these 3 albums.

[@ArtbyJoeH]

Bo Derek …

[@ernger531]

Born again was very very heavy and the incredible voice of Ian Gillan on Disturbing The Priest, much better than the Ozzy stuff.

[@benedictdonald4338]

The debut might be their best….or “Sabotage” is.

[@peteh7966]

Spiral Architect, one of their best songs ever!

[@philbraithwaite1316]

Bought it when I was 16 back in 1976. While I’ve drifted away from the subsequent heavy metal that emerged later in the decade I still play this album and other 70s gems.Fairies Wear Boots being vintage Sabbath and my fave.

[@frankez99]

I can’t watch a Black Sabbath video without recommending Technical Ecstasy and Never Say Die. Give them another listen, they are actually pretty proggy/sludgy. Rock on 🤘

[@matthewmcalley392]

Totally agree there's a lot of grief given to both these albums but I love them as much as any that went before

[@barryismygod]

Technical ecstasy is my favorite of the late era ozzy run of sabbath

[@UKcanuck55]

Agree completely. Fairies Wear Boots has been my favourite Black Sabbath song since the moment I heard it.

[@robison5396]

This is probably my favourite metal album. Great review of a seminal album. You did really well to put the songs in context with contemporary themes of the time which was interesting to hear. Excellent video.

[@ikw5571]

Important catalyst was 1970 had Paranoid as a 45rpm single, same time Black Knight with Deep Purple as a single was also released. Beyond specialist rock radio, singles levered both bands into higher profile via single, into day time radio listening.

[@zviyitzhok9166]

I’m still head banging to the Paranoid album 54 years later 👍

[@PedrSion]

When they were both on it, Butler and Ward were one of the best rhythm sections ever.

[@splankhoon]

¨Planet caravan is a stroke of genius. It's melancholy and uplifting at the same time. The song deals with amazement and wonder of the universe while at the same time being in awe and feeling frightened because it's too large to come to grips with. Put that song on at any time in any given place and the atmosphere in the room changes. People become more introspective, more humble. It's a unique piece of work with a beautiful guitar sound in the solo. The voice through the leslie is science fiction eeriness to perfection. Never heard any other band come close to this kind of atmosphere.

[@63mckenzie]

Yes! Planet Caravan is one my favourite Sabbath songs.

[@PhilBaird1]

It's a key part of the album's sci-fi imagery and mystery.

[@stephaniemanchester-chermo3840]

Sabbaths self titled LP is in my opinion the number one metal album of all time because one could easily argue that it was the first. As a metal fan of over 40 years one album that has always been in rotation year after year is this s/titled masterpiece that was recorded in a single 12 hour session by these blessings to our glorious culture.

[@ernger531]

Their debut was more Heavy Blues, with elements of Greg Holst in the Titel track.

[@Matias-music-71]

@@ernger531 I argue the first 3 , maybe even 4 had elements of blues and boogie woogy rock in it still .., there were many players in the evolution towards metal of course , and to not give Sabbath top billing would perhaps be silly .., that said for me it was Sabotage that really gave metal its punch its distinctive different character beyond hard rock .., along with ..., Priests Sad Wings Of Destiny ..,

[@gerrylambert5225]

Iron Butterfly In a gadda da vida ?

[@ernger531]

@@Matias-music-71 Kraftwerk 1970 Heavy Metal Kids, Golden Earring 1969 Everydays Torture, both early Heavy Metal, both didn t play Metal, except these fantastic songs and real blueprints. And then came Toni Iommi with his incredible riffs.

[@markwhitaker3673]

Thanks for a great review, Barry- I agree with your assessment of this album's significance in the metal genre, providing the blueprint for those to follow. Having listened to Sabbath for over 50 years, I still love this album although I have heard enough of Iron Man and Rat Salad, thanks. I feel this was the first "real/full" album and the debut was more of a studio jam session although I find do myself listening to it more as I get older along with Master of Reality. For me, the most creative album was SBS with its proggy elements, even more so than Vol 4. The first time I heard these fellows, as much as I liked Tull, Purple, and the Who, I thought-finally, someone has made music for me, kind of like Monty Python's Flying Circus did for TV! Thanks, and cheers-hope you are well.

[@DanielSmith-r4z]

Iron Man felt a bit cartoonish. I understand its wide appeal though. Thought Vol.4 was their best, crossing into a prog rock flair. Wheels of Confusion encapsulated them I think and heavier than many of their songs. The world will still be turning when you're gone, was an illusion. Rings more true today than in 1972. First 4 albums written during the Vietnam War and Cold War era. 21st Century Schizoid Man no doubt influenced them. Thank you for the insight into Paranoid.

[@zviyitzhok9166]

@@DanielSmith-r4z the end of Wheels of Confusion is comparable in greatness to the end of the Beatles’ “ She’s so heavy” and Clapton’s “ Let it Grow”.

[@PetraKann]

Heaven and Hell also ranks up there as a great Black Sabbath album - great heavy metal album

[@Harromuso]

One of my favourite albums ever, and a huge influence on my own music and vocal style

[@MauriceTituer]

I agree about the importance of this album. I would also consider Master of Reality as influential for the production and sound.

[@earlgrey691]

i share your reverence for 'Planet Caravan' a masterpiece and shows the band had some of that languid hippyish tendency in reserve,That gorgeous acoustic outro from 'Symptom of the Universe' also ploughs a similar Lysergic furrow.More to them than just cro-magnon riffigery methinx.

[@TedGrubersky]

Great stuff. Another well discussed review. Superb content - constructive and do well delivered Agree, the album is huge. Sabbath such a great band and so many great songs, and I’d say four albums of classic/great status, at least More!

[@marksandland208]

Remember going to see Sabbath just after this album was released. They came back to do an encore and Ossie said “this one’s of our new album. I turned to my mates and loudly announced “Fairies Wear Boots” only for the band to play Paranoid. Bugger, I forgot that one!!

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

Genius review you are on it

[@popgoesthestoat]

Belittled, mocked and despised by many at the time. So good to see that the music of Sabbath lives on as the best response to certain 'music critics', with new generations admiring and respecting the enduring themes.

[@kristofftaylovoski60]

"Planet Caravan" upon reflection is effing brilliant..

[@warmeggs]

Hi Baz-I read somewhere once that Fairies Wear Boots was inspired by an incident they had in my beloved Newcastle -they were chased by skinheads through Scotswood (pretty rough area ,even today) and hid out in an abandoned pub --Iommi alone probably could have fettled them x

[@colinbrown7010]

Fully agree keep up the great work

[@Railway_Railfan]

Still holds up to this day.

[@johnnythefox9830]

Thanks Barry. Love this ablum but masters of reality is my go to. But all those ozzy/bs ablums were great imo. 🤘

[@motleyfan7558]

I never really thought about this but I think I agree

[@stormbringercoming8105]

Black Sabbath was so far ahead of its time. Even they didn’t realize it. That’s what makes their music timeless.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

They were actually right at the right time.

[@papalaz4444244]

Master of Reality - the end

[@Supremor-tj9dv]

Great album. Great analysis Barry!

[@jeffturner9203]

Planet Caravan is a great song, as is Solitude from the next album. I actually prefer that album, Master of Reality, over Paranoid.

[@brandonbelt5055]

The most important one for me will always be the debut, it created the template of everything that came after. I will agree that Paranoid was a refinement of that sound though and made it more accessible to the mainstream.

[@petershallis2294]

Paranoid could well be Sabbath’s most important album but my personal favourite is Sabotage…the band had major management issues at the time of recording and you can feel their seething anger and resentment, especially in Ozzy’s voice. The sound overall is a cocktail of speed metal, doom laden rock and a genuinely unsettling creepiness. In my opinion the zenith of their achievements.

[@CatDandor]

Oh yea,the writ is seething with hostility,haha! IOzzy s most powerful vocal performance in my opinion..

[@kristofftaylovoski60]

agreed, love this record..

[@lawrencefine5020]

The first 6 albums are perfect, but you’re right , Paranoid is the most vital and important heavy metal album in the genre’s history. Come on, Warpigs?? It’s the perfect Metal song. Well done.

[@LANCSKID]

The 1969 eponymous album. That ghoulish girlie (who she?) on the cover still gives me the screamers, especially when I have some interesting foliage smouldering away in my, ahem, tobacco pipe.

[@masterofreality9792]

Cabbageo Exotico or not my friend, this album will always be the most important and reference to all that follow(ed) 😎👍🏼🖤🎸

[@ProgCog]

Glad you mentioned 13. Excellent album.

[@AVITHAMMER]

Excellent and entertaining review as always… I was 14 when that album came out… what a time to be a spotty teen and have all that great music Sweet Leaf should be renamed Exotic Cabbage even if it does muck up the meter 😂 Fun (or not so much fun) fact … I was at a music quiz night… they played Planet Caravan and I was the only one to identify it (big head emoji)

[@peterkiefel4324]

I think their first and second albums are a bit like Rubber Soul and Revolver in that they could both easily have sat inside a double album cover, such is the sonic consistency. Maybe my thinking is a bit clouded by the fact my first exposure to Black Sabbath was a mate who gave me a home cassette recording of BS 'We sold our souls for rock n roll' which is dominated by songs from their first 2 albums and that always blurred them together for me. Life changing cassette that!

[@NigelWelch-x3h]

Nigel in Canada 🇨🇦 the first two albums had more complete TEMPO changes in songs absent in later albums

[@54macdog]

I think the cover perfectly suits the word Paranoid. A demented figure hurtling out of the darkness.

[@SuperJohnnymo]

That album is most definitely the heaviest of all time, it changed my life, Sabbath was the best!!!!

[@lupcokotevski2907]

I'd wager 50 bucks that Planet Caravan was inspired by Gypsy Woman (1961) by Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions. Laura Nyro does a wondrous live solo version, 1971.

[@anthonyaiello4343]

I like the first best, though Paranoid was my fave for many years. Mostly only listen to the first 3.

[@1deplatt]

I don’t like heavy metal in general but I love the first 5 Sabbath records. Paranoid is their best in my opinion.

[@stevebramhill3811]

Got this for Christmas from my parents along with Led Zeppelin 3. While they were prepared to concede that Zep had some decent songs they absolutely hated this so my younger self knew the band was doing something right! Remember the critics mostly seem to dismiss it but I recall a review some years earlier about another album saying something similar Whatever happened to Sgt Peppers? Anyway agree with you!

[@risingstar7161]

Paranoid very influential indeed though Sabbath's best album for me is Sabbath Bloody Sabbath as it is the pinnacle of the original line up's creativity. It never got any better.

[@PhilBaird1]

I'd almost agree but it wasn't as groundbreaking and the production lacked the punch and dynamics of the Paranoid album.

[@guyaustin309]

Totally agree

[@SuperStrik9]

I would argue Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath is even more important. I say that because I consider the first Black Sabbath album as the first Heavy Metal album. Paranoid is definitely an important album as well though. Especially as it's probably Black Sabbath's most popular album.

[@Harromuso]

Was the drum beat at the start of "Hand Of Doom" the birth of the Hip Hop beat?

[@ianhewitson2738]

Whenever I see videos like this I have an almost instinctive reaction to play devil's advocate. "Important" is doing a lot of work here!

[@allenhoilman9825]

Spot on.

[@ianemery4355]

The first five Sabbath albums do it for me!

[@ACDZ123]

All of them...listen ti never say die with good headphones. It's brilliant and the songs are good

[@ianemery4355]

@ACDZ123 I'm an old man those were my favourite five but I do have everything by Sabbath! 👍

[@ACDZ123]

@ianemery4355 I have to make a confession..it took 40 years for me to come around to never say die ..hated it when I was younger ..now I listen to it all the time .I just find headphones gives it the edge it needs

[@ianemery4355]

@ACDZ123 Technical Ecstasy was the one that confused me when it came out! I do like that album not my favourite but I like it!

[@drawyrral]

Did Black Sabbath ever do a version of Carl Orff's O Fortuna from Carmina Burana? If not, why?

[@SPSteve]

It might not be the first heavy metal album, but it is certainly the cornerstone of the genre. Iron Man, War Pigs and Paranoid are so popular that they get a bit annoying. Well, maybe not Paranoid. Planet Caravan is beautiful, and Fairies Wear Boots is under appreciated. Albums 2,3,4,5 are all great.

[@johncraig-pm5vs]

I agree that Paranoid is the game changer of hard rock/ heavy metal. But for me Volume 4 is the hard rock masterpiece. Seven out of ten of the songs are rawest grittiest songs you will ever hear. I still say the opening riff of Under the Sun is hardest of any rock song ever! Don’t let those empty people interfere with your mind just live your life and leave them all behind!!! 😆

[@stevejanowiak1982]

Agree!

[@Herknungr]

You can praise early Black Sabbath for a lot of the Doom/Funeral Doom metal bands that we have now. When heavy metal was just a mere exploration of sounds, distortion but nothing mere about it for sure.

[@kingoftadpoles]

A uni flatmate had this, on tape from his brother's vinyl. This had a lot of play. I do of course have my own vinyl now, and will never part with it.

[@anthonyaiello4343]

It doesn't juxtapose evil and authority, it elides them.

[@b2tall239]

I probably never need to hear this album again (my fault as well as FM radio's fault for overplaying it), but It's definitely the most influential metal album for me personally, and I won't argue against Barry's assertion that it's the most influential of all time. "Hand of Doom" is my favorite Sabbath song. Thanks, Barry.

[@paradox7743]

Thee most Seminal Heavy Metal album of All! Thee actual artifact defining Moment of A Movement. It’s a Masterpiece that’s message is as relevant Today that it was in 1970!

[@jatsajatsa]

Off subject question. Where did you get the Dead T-shirt?

[@MetalboxJ]

Sacred Reich did a decent cover of war pigs. The drumming is fantastic. Check it out metal fans.

[@mikahattunen4502]

I remember! Great band, little bit too tidy with their sound and playing

[@mikahattunen4502]

I mean it's so polished and perfect it sounds a bit dull

[@MetalboxJ]

@mikahattunen4502 very crisp accurate band.

[@Driver2616]

Barry, I know what you’re saying here and yes, I agree, Paranoid is good. It’s very good. In fact it’s just downright embodiment of excellence. But I just have to ask, what about Sabbath Bloody Sabbath or Sabotage? Surely they are the more important albums, in their scope and content…..

[@JoyDivision88]

I saw them live around '68-'69 when they announced they had changed their name from Earth to Black Sabbath due I think to another band already called Earth. This was before the first album had been made as they had just signed a record deal. Thought they were the best act on a bill that included Tea and Symphony and The Deviants. Loved the first album and can still listen to it occasionally. But, I cannot listen to anything else that followed and I have really tried especially when the Paranoid album came out. I did not like it at all but mate liked it so we went to see them again in Birmingham UK. I sat there pretty bored especially after having seen and heard Curved Air who were support and for me blew them off stage. They even played Paranoid twice for goodness sake. Just don't get them I am afraid but I know there are thousands who do so I guess its must be me that is at fault.

[@chriswelsh3517]

Hard to say which of their albums deserve this title but it would definitely be one from this band and this would be a good pick...then again, I am a fan of the song/durge Who Are You...which doesn't seem to get a lot of love. Question....is After Forever a Christian rock song? Or is it tongue and cheek. This band is at or close to the top of my list.

[@eleanorhatfield7316]

Volume 4 For Me, It's all Subjective !

[@murraycampbell1548]

One of their best songs ever! Fairies Wear Boots!

[@iggy0611]

Paranoid is an absolute masterpiece, but I prefer Master Of Reality

[@Michel-r6m]

Personally prefer their first album..." What is this that stand before me?" That is when it started for me at least 👍

[@passenger62]

"the simplicity of the music and the vocal performance" is there because they're 'uncomplicated' folks, that's all.

[@vicprovost2561]

Their first 6 albums are the industry standard. 🎸

[@andrisbrieze4855]

I grew up in the 1970s and the word heavy metal only came into being somwhere in the late 70s. In mid seventies the prevelant term was still hard rock or heavy rock. This I believe is not being pedantic but an important distinction. Sabbath were heavy (very heavy) rock, not metal. The first metal album in my view was Judas Priest Stained Class, around 1977. In metal the hard riffs are primary to and drive the music, in heavy rock the heavy riffs are not primary, but augment the innate heaviness of the music itself. Well at least that’s my thru’ pennies worth 😂

[@seethroughhead505]

But is it ok to rhyme homonyms?

[@MosherBear]

Master of Reality is the better album, but Paranoid was ground zero when it comes to the metal genre. The first six albums are templates.

[@שאולנקר]

MIGHT BE THE BEST ALBUM EVER. SHEER BLISS

[@YimmyyaRashoo]

Great Review. Too me Sabbaths first 6 records Stand Alone. They really captured a Cornucopia of furucios soft fire. Nothing has come close too their run....before Meehan and drugs derailed them for good really, Ozzy first 2 records are fanomanul and Sabbath later highlights were Born Again, and Heaven & Hell.

[@anachronistofer]

Wholeheartedly agree. Black Sabbath were the Beatles of Heavy Metal. Paranoid was their White Album (but more black... ha ha).

[@mikahattunen4502]

What's Led Zeppelin then, is it The Beatles of hard rock? There can not be two..

[@EduFirenze]

Apart from the cover and the intro song, I always thought the first record was way more blues based than the purists care to admit.

[@vovindequasahi]

I see you saying Master of Reality most important metal album... I see your video is only 11 minutes long... I cry.

[@davidbewick9208]

Deep Purple in Rock more important.

[@CatDandor]

I recorded that over an infomercial tape,haha

[@МаксимКайгородов-ш5к]

in the movie the last super (reunion tour 1999) Tony Iommi denies black sabbath's heavy metal affiliation and says no no no, not heavy metal

[@FuturePast2019]

Deep Purple in Rock.

[@Matias-music-71]

I can see your points , but it still had some bluesy elements , some boogie woogy .., yes it was darker , low tuning .., but metal for me was not really truly born until Sabotage and Priests Sad Wings Of Destiny .., the sound of prog metal , the vocals , the guitar style ..., all of it shifted away from blues , boogie rock and went full on into a new creation and that sound of metal went on into NWOBHM , thrash , even glam and such .., and of course some prog .., whereas the earlier Sabbath like Paranoid stuck with this tag .., Doom/Stoner metal ..,

[@marktait2371]

mate several.months ago uncut interview excerpt from geezer into the void so poor eating turnips atca cumbria farm we had nothing to lose because we were all told wed never amount to anything

[@johndrx165]

Being a huge OG Sabbath fan, I like this album, but it is not my favorite. I actually like Master of Reality and Vol, 4 better. I think the popularity of War Pigs and Paranoid pushed it down on my list. Great album though with Bill and Geezer sounding more like their first album. Fairies Wear Boots is epic.

[@russellthechemist8291]

Their debut is atill their best to me. Something a bit 'cartoonish' about the follow up.

[@StephenMerchant-up8sg]

Proof that it takes more than a good sleeve to sell an album. As mentioned before by Barry, that sleeve is utter shite.....in fact it's got to be a management in-joke

[@handsomestik]

I have Sabbath over Zeppelin.

[@EDDIETRUJILLO-q8p]

I prefer Walpurgis over War Pigs.

[@joelsislak8031]

Great album. Master Of Reality is better. Can’t go wrong with the first 4. Sabotage was really good and so was Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. Then way too much Coc.

[@restofthejunk01]

Pity about that cover though.......

[@jacksonhunkle2444]

“War-mongering imperialist ambitions”? I thought it was considered anti-Semitic to bring up war-mongering imperialist ambitions on this channel.

[@ColdGrayMorning]

You never talk about FREE