First-Time Reaction to Black Sabbath "After Forever" Lyrics

In this video we react to Black Sabbath "After Forever". This is a very unique song that has a far more religious tone than we expected. Some of our viewers suggested this song to help us understand more about what the band believes. It was certainly interesting.
Lyric video used in this reaction: • Black Sabbath - After ...
This is a reaction video for the purposes of comment, criticism, and education about the song and artist. We believe these videos provide additional free exposure to new audiences for the artist and will drive additional views to the original video.
Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

[@dorkmier]

BLACK SABBATH FOREVER!!!!!!

[@finaldestination5847]

This song called After Forever ist not about Religion but indeed about Faith in God and above all about a personal relationship with Jesus !!

[@sarahwelty9223]

My favourite Sabbath song!👍

[@j.paulmartin5287]

Every single tune they ever put out is frigging amazing… You can’t go wrong with Sabbath!

[@joelombrdo]

So true

[@no_onein2024]

Oh btw, they originated as a Blues Rock band named EARTH. One day they went to the movie theater and saw Boris Karloff's film "Black Sabbath" and Ozzy said, "Isn't it wierd that people pay money to get the **** scared out of them" lol. That's when they wrote the song Black Sabbath and changed the name of the band to Black Sabbath and voila! Heavy Metal was born!!!

[@CoachCastTV]

Fantastic! Just reacted to another and it will post soon.

[@stratdeluxe1993]

I feel lucky having Black Sabbath in my life for 45 + years! Never a bad listen! Hail IOMMI

[@CoachCastTV]

We'd have to agree with that based on our limited experience so far!

[@stratdeluxe1993]

Listen to AIR DANCE or You won't change me or Juniors Eyes...very different@@CoachCastTV

[@montbob100]

most of their music was very deep and esoterical.best band ever.period.

[@raydemoll5542]

When it comes to Black Sabbath, the transitions are seamless and bordering on genius and many miss out on their musical messages because because of Black Sabbath's appearance, music genre and of course their name. Black Sabbath's original moniker was Earth.

[@CoachCastTV]

Wow...did not know that.

[@CaptainGanja]

"After Forever" is one of my favorite tunes on Sabbath's "Master of Reality" album. So intense with a positive religious message to it. Totally love that one. Thanks for playing it for us. 😎👍

[@CoachCastTV]

We appreciate the viewers for suggesting it!

[@tory1831]

Black Sabbath 1970 (2005 show) wizard live.Sabbath is best rock band ever,The original band is a "supergroup" with incredible playing,great lyrics.

[@CoachCastTV]

Our reaction to that live version actually posts today. Good timing. 👍

[@mikecamp486]

I saw black sabbath in 1978 when I was 12 I'm gen z loved it you missed alot of great bands

[@mattsabath]

Children Of The Grave from the same album. Heavy heavy song with lyrics that will totally surprise you. And yes, you evaluated the song and the band perfectly. Great job.

[@CoachCastTV]

Thanks so much!

[@davidmastro5406]

Black Sabbath took their name from a 1963 horror film by Mario Bava, which featured Boris Karloff. Before Ronnie James Dio took over as vocalist, the lyrics to Sabbath's songs were written by bassist Geezer Butler, who has always been Catholic--and Sabbath has several songs with blatantly Christian themes, like "After Forever" and "Lord of This World". As for the lack of choruses on this track, I personally get the impression that the repetitive riffage that starts the song and continues between the verses, combined with the ambient sound at the opening and at the end, was meant to evoke something infinite, something that transcends time--like the angels, and of course God.

[@CoachCastTV]

Makes sense. It was an unusual song in some ways but I feel that was by design. We like this band and just recorded another reaction to them that will post soon.

[@superfbomb9054]

Since you just started your Black Sabbath journey may I suggest you try Hand of Doom... Another scary sounding title with a good serious message.. and one of my favorites is Symptom of the Universe... It's a bit more complex and etheric but has amazing instrumental elements that show off their incredible talents

[@CoachCastTV]

We'll make note of it. Thank you!

[@user-vp9cw2ru3t]

You know what you people are, you are down to earth good people, your rite about judging a book by it's cover, but y'all gave it a chance and what the hell y'all liked it,good action on reaction,, from Corpus Christi Texas ✌️

[@CoachCastTV]

Appreciate that. Thank you so much.

[@arijokimaki4315]

It is not unusual for a Black Sabbath song to not have a chorus. I think in their early albums it was a norm - with quick thinking I can't think of a single song that has a chorus (there probably are some, though).

[@CoachCastTV]

Now that you mention it, that may be the case on a few others we heard but it never stood out to me like this one. This band is just totally different than we expected. That's not a bad thing at all.

[@V7avalon]

Christian Rock 😂 In 71' at age 11 this was my second black sabbath album, I've listened to sabbath everyday since. I've seen ozzy's sabbath 4 times and Ian Gillian with sabbath and Ronnie Dio with rainbow and sabbath several times.🎸

[@CoachCastTV]

That's awesome!

[@jayfed1978]

While yes the band started during the peace and love era. They decided to change their sound. Before Sabbath was Earth a blues band. After Tony's work accident they experimented with different sounds. Eventually they came across what will be later known as the devils note. They lived in a shelled out town in Birmingham England. All members being poor. They didn't see the peace and love. Instead they named themselves after their favorite horror movie. And the rest is history. Greatest metal band of all time.

[@prividinc]

This song, if you listen to it, is ironically the first 'christian metal' song. Black Sabbath, along with Slipknot, Rush, Metallica, Rammstein etc. All of these bands have deep lyrics that need to be read and understood. They are extremely layered.

[@CoachCastTV]

No doubt. They have totally surprised us.

[@mojobag01]

Geezer, the bassist and songwriter was raised Irish Catholic. Much of his lyrics are moral and questioning, they were good lads although they did party a bit too hard.

[@CoachCastTV]

They are not at all what we were led to believe in our youth.

[@mojobag01]

@@CoachCastTV And musically they just kept improving. By the time of Sabbath Bloody Sabbath they are on top and they haven't even realised it.

[@jayedwards4787]

All the da4k stuff was to sell records …the guys weren’t very scary in real life ….Sabbath were like Old Testament prophets with their constant warnings of impending doom unless we changed our ways … @@CoachCastTV

[@matthewmcalley392]

Its always quite interesting because most people initialy think Ozzy wrote all the lyrics It was actually the bass player Geezer Butler. Geezer and Tony both come from Catholic backgrounds and did influence alot of their early work

[@montbob100]

subscribed because of this review.I love Black Sabbath and saw them in 78 with VH.I was 14.I am born again .

[@CoachCastTV]

Welcome! We're enjoying experiencing their music for the first time.

[@faithcat7675]

Saw them live in early 2000s. They were amazing and my ears hurt❤ Many of their darker songs are infact a warning.

[@z-9693]

Oh and I forgot to mention: a lot of the uninitiated attribute the lyrics to Ozzy because he puts voice to them. For the most part, however, Terry 'Geezer' Butler, the innovative, masterful and inspiring bass player wrote the lyrics during the 70's OG era while Ozzy was with the band. Also, I love love love the fact that everyone new to Sabbath is like 'man the drums are outta this world, holy crap' Bill Ward deserves so much props. He elevated the music miles high!!! Geezer & Bill were hands down, the funkiest, grooviest, most versatile & tight hard rock rhythm section of the 70's! And they were unique. they did NOT just play straight 8th notes or double the guitar,etc. Each member of Sabbath was a lead player and they would pass the baton so someone was holding down the groove whether it was Bill or Geezer or Tony withj his iconic rhythm guitar playing that spawned Hetflied. And in terms of solos, Tony & Geezer would weave intricate, flowing lines where Tony would solo and Geezer would play variations of the main riff along with fills, flourishes and accents that were genius and the overall texture was amazing. They were unbelievably good as a unit with the seamless changeups. Damn! Nobody does it like they did in the 70's. IMHO all original 8 studio albums of the 70's are timeless classics. A lot of people discount the last 2 albums but nah man, they simply lack perspective & context. All 8.

[@CoachCastTV]

We're certainly impressed so far and will get back to them again soon.

[@carcarjinks1430]

having the name 'black sabbath' gave them the creative freedom to explore all those deeper questions of the human experience -- life, death, the afterlife, God, the devil, metaphysics, our own place in the universe, etc. they weren't the typical rock act. every album was different, with its own mood, sound, and subject matter.

[@CoachCastTV]

They are a fascinating group and nothing like we were led to believe.

[@piccolina721]

I love your thoughts on this song and BLACK SABBATH !! 🤍🤍🖤🖤🐺

[@CoachCastTV]

We appreciate you!

[@tdonger]

Ya gotta remember...... they had just gone thru the whole flower child, peace love and get high 60's. They had a lot of that in them

[@MarvelousBlaze]

The 60s were a much different time for Europe than the US. The US was relatively unchanged, structurally, from WW2 - it thrived during this period both domestic and abroad. In Europe, especially in the UK, things were much different - Ozzy, Geezer, Tony, and Ward all had to grow up in the fallout of the destruction from the German bombings of England. That's where much of metal had gotten its roots; the bleakness of rebuilding after two world wars that devastated their homeland. The Marshall Plan accelerated their recovery, but blown-out buildings, rubble, and the loss of life was definitely present well into the 70s; it's why the Punk scene first manifested in the UK.

[@MrDeadstu]

As a lifelong Black Sabbath fan, thank you for listening with an open mind. I think you would benefit from listing to "A National Acrobat" from their 5th album Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. A lyric video would be helpful. "The Wizard" was rarely played live by Sabbath, only around 6 times between 1969-1975 then not again until 1994, with Tony Martin on vocals. One of the only live versions is the 2005 performance in France after they re-united. 35 years after the song was released in 1970. It is available on YT.

[@CoachCastTV]

We appreciate you watching and we actually did the live from 2005 this weekend and just need to edit and post that one. It was great!

[@jays361]

Sabbath have complex lyrics in most of their songs. It’s not just noise as my father would say

[@CoachCastTV]

Yeah, we are seeing that is true.

[@jayedwards4787]

Their bassist wrote the lyrics- Geezer Butler was raised Catholic and was a very bright man …@@CoachCastTV

[@CoachCastTV]

@@jayedwards4787 Interesting!

[@kikivon3501]

The very first Christian metal song. This was written by Geezer Butler, a direct response to them being called a satanic band. Geezer is a deeply religious person and did not take kindly to the reference.

[@kencheek9745]

@@kikivon3501 He attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aston, Birmingham, England and served on the altar.

[@conduct623]

Just discovered your channel yesterday. I'm now a subscriber , Love your reactions to Black Sabbath. You guys have to listen to ( Children of the grave.)... Cheers.

[@CoachCastTV]

Welcome. We will certainly be doing more from them.

[@robertooyendyk3628]

Black Sabbath were constantly accused and stereotyped as devil worshipers and satanists. This song was their answer to all those detractors.

[@davidmcdonagh7756]

They sing about all kinds of subjects, War, drugs, the environment, mental health, religion, political, nuclear threat, being ripped off by the music industry, life and death.

[@CoachCastTV]

They have a lot of depth.

[@simonpatinorton]

Hello friends... i love than you like sabbath... Must do Hand of doom Hand of doom Hand of doom With lyrics!!!!!! No regrets!!!! Cheers form Argentina

[@CoachCastTV]

So I think you are saying "Hand of Doom". LOL Thanks for watching!

[@dconley1964]

Sabbath will often use verse, verse, bridge, verse.

[@gustavo10912]

Listen "Lord of this world" from the same album.

[@soulpatchjackson3076]

Raised on it. 1974.

[@josephsoap2698]

I have been listening to sabbath since 72 , i always tell people who think sabbath were devil worshiping heavy metal pioneers, to listen to this track . I think they were always ordinary gods people.

[@CoachCastTV]

Very possible. They are not what we expected.

[@Michael-tl2yj]

Geezer wrote after forever about the turmoil against the catholic church in the UK

[@superfbomb9054]

It's a good song... Probably the first real Christian rock or metal song... They said they did it to express their real opinion and disprove the bad image they were getting about being evil... You got to remember there was nothing like this when they came out and their music and image is very dark and ominous.. but in reality they are just about warning people of the evil around us not and are not evil themselves... Also.. they wear a lot of big crosses... And they are not upside down...

[@CoachCastTV]

Yes, this group is nothing at all like what we were led to believe as youngsters.

[@donsavignano4396]

Bass guitarist geezer Butler wrote the song to dispell rumours that they were devil worshippers.

[@mora1948]

Into the void!

[@CoachCastTV]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@BastaGenug]

yes, and then Lord of this World

[@jayedwards4787]

You might try “ Laguna Sunrise”, “Fluff”, “ Changes”, “ Solitude”, and “ It’s Alright “ by Black Sabbath …defintely w not what you would expect

[@CoachCastTV]

We appreciate the suggestions. They are certainly unexpected.

[@jayedwards4787]

Laguna Sunrise and Fluff are instrumentals . Changes is a very well known song and probably the best to start with of these -a “ ballad”, featuring piano . Solitude is another ballad, featuring flute. It’s Alright, drummer Bill Ward sings lead- very upbeat song @@CoachCastTV

[@CoachCastTV]

@@jayedwards4787 We appreciate the additional info. Mrs. Coach will enjoy the ballads, I'm sure.

[@montbob100]

He called out the false prophet and all of the sunworshippers.They knew the truth.

[@harrypothead42024]

4:28 it's almost like you can't judge a book by its cover

[@victorjohnson7512]

It was guitarist Tony Iommi who played the synthesizer on this album for that fuzzy intro sound.

[@jasonmarshall7572]

You tube is so Funny. I loved Black Sabbath but also love Floor jansen and when searching the band After Forever search results lead me to this Black sabbath classic. Also When Looking up Floor's second band Revamp search result brings up Revamp i'm not a vampire from Falling in Reverse. Another pretty good band but an angry one lol. Ozzy was the original but i also liked Black Sabbath when Ronnie James Dio was lead as well.

[@CoachCastTV]

It is amazing what kind of rabbit hole you can go down on a KZbin search. 🤣

[@marksingo2177]

Love your reactions, my parents never liked Black Sabbath.. thought it was the devils music..Black Sabbath is a very deep group, deep philosophical lyrics...

[@CoachCastTV]

Thank you, same here with the parents thinking it was something we needed to avoid.

[@RobertWittman-uu8zf]

Gezzer wrote all the lyrics n he was very religious when younger. You’d be had to find a group that just complimented each other.

[@shspurs1342]

Is about someone trying to. Convent someone they think is an easy target. Basically they do other songs on same theme. People who claim to be religious but give religion a bad name.

[@jorgealbertogarzagarza9341]

Hi guys; try Spiral Architect (with string section) or wheels of confussion; Sabbath is just great. New to your channel but I'm a suscriber to another channel of you :) well done

[@CoachCastTV]

Glad to have you (on both). More Black Sabbath coming this week.

[@matthewmcalley392]

A completely different song from Black Sabbath is "Its Alright" which has Bill Ward singing

[@CoachCastTV]

Oh wow...that's interesting.

[@matthewmcalley392]

@@CoachCastTV Another one of theirs I'd be interested to see your reaction to is the song' God is Dead ? ' which is from their very last album 13 released in 2013 after Ozzy , Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi reformed, unfortunately without Bill Ward. As with a lot of Black Sabbath's songs it's not quite as straight forward as the title suggests 👍

[@CoachCastTV]

@@matthewmcalley392 That's an interesting title.

[@matthewmcalley392]

Yes the title is more a question than a statement 👍 There are dozens and dozens of interviews with the various Sabbath members, anything with particularly Tony Iommi is a worthwhile watch. He's very open and honest about their life and times including their massive consumption of various products

[@montbob100]

listen to bill ward on those drums.

[@jesusgonzalezs9655]

The People: Black Sabbath's lyrics talk about the devil 05:03 Black Sabbath lyrics

[@daveh9335]

Billy Club is a Beast

[@richardrobinson-wy9zb]

Try Megalomania with lyrics, and they started heavy rock

[@spazimdam]

Is cool you are exploring Black Sabbath. This song shows their actual Christian beliefs. You should try their Symptom of the Universe- an awesome song, very good musically. I have never seen The Wizard live.

[@CoachCastTV]

A viewer of our channel sent us a video of The Wizard live, and we reacted to it. It's on the channel now. It was fantastic. Easily one of Coach's favorite songs of all time after hearing it live.

[@mikekeeler6362]

The last I heard of The Wizard being performed was in 1994 with Tony Martin Ozzy on the reunion tour

[@madbodhi]

Children of the grave is a must.

[@z-9693]

Too funny! I love seeing people who had no clue about the intelligence & depth of Sabbath. And this is early stuff. Master of Reality was 1971. By 1973 when we get Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, they were basically a prog band with Rick Wakeman of Yes providing deep synth textures. Yes, in the mid 70s Sabbath had an unofficial 5th member, a keyboardist. That is counter to their down & dirty image! I wonder if the Coach & Mrs.Coach had even been borned yet. Probly real close around there give or take a few years would be my guess. I remember in the height of the mid 80's Satanic Panic I submitted the lyrics to this song in my AP English class where we had to analyze and example of contemporary poetry and present it. My teacher was really cool but it definitely was counter to the narrative. I made her a mix tape of a bunch of songs from Sabbath, Zep, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, etc. that I considered articulate & thought provoking and she was surprisingly receptive. Perhaps not so surprisingly as she was a great teacher and I'd think you have to care a lot to teach AP English to teenagers. I doubt she was doing it for the paycheck. Also, despite many people dogging on 1976's Technical Ecstasy & 1978s Never Say Die, I always loved those albums because as a teenager in the 80's I wasn't exposed to the modern narrative of how they 'sold out' or that those albums suck, etc. I just found more OG Black Sabbath albums and was like 'Hell Yeah!' and chalked the weirdness & orchestral type stuff up to 'the 70's were wild, man!' I mean ELO, Elton John, Wings, Peter Frampton... the 70's amirite? Oh and turns out Tony Iommi longtime best friends with Sir Brian May of Queen and he was kinda the Yoko Ono, always around in the studio for the recording sessions for Technical Ecstasy. I think that influence explains some of the departure from their earlier sounds. At least explains it in part. Nothing happens in a vacuum.

[@CoachCastTV]

Great comment. Coach is a '68 model, Mrs. Coach is a '70 model. LOL And yes, the Satanic Panic was very real in our hometown.

[@frankwoods3915]

Can't help feeling the lyrics in this track were an attempt to defuse some of the more extreme reactions to their earlier, darker material. The lyrics are a bit corny, but the music is fantastic

[@Capecetc]

the nameof the band was earth at first but they could not for copy rites stuff black sabbath was a song so they used it for the band name and as you said some folks though it was not clean music surprise I consider stuff like the bee gees as dirty ever read their stuff .

[@pingamalinga]

Better late than never I suppose.

[@donsavignano4396]

Ozzy Osbourne father was a pastor and made all of their crosses

[@CoachCastTV]

Didn't know that. That's very cool.

[@lucypoopies]

I agree coach in that the bass is perhaps the most standout instrument on this track... Not that Bill Ward or Tony Iommi "underperformed" in any way, shape or form. However, the lyrics are obviously still the top attention getter which ironically enough were written by bassist Geezer Butler. That said, he really "hit it out of the park" not once, but twice on this one.

[@CoachCastTV]

Agreed!

[@donsavignano4396]

Christian rock band stryper recorded after forever on their 2015 album

[@dennislinehan6548]

This song is downright evangelical ✌️😁

[@apolinarfox4754]

The wizard live 2005 at the Oz fest

[@CoachCastTV]

Excellent...thanks for that info!

[@mikekeeler6362]

Yeah they used to just wear blue jeans and some costumes on stage

[@royceratliff7220]

Hey if you guys want to hear an anti-dope song Black Sabbath hand of doom

[@fredtello]

that's a very common misunderstanding because the devil wants to keep you away from like righteous words and the majority of metal music is about the light and love and righteousness believe it or not

[@CoachCastTV]

That's a surprise to us...based on how we were taught as youth.

[@rapson672]

Ozzy did go through a dark time when he found out Sharon cheated on him with the lead guitar player in 1979

[@CoachCastTV]

Did not know that.

[@no_onein2024]

Try Ozzy Osbourne's solo hit "Crazy Train" lyrics video!!! The music is even BETTER!!!

[@CoachCastTV]

Coach has heard Crazy Train a gazillion times, and Mrs. Coach probably has also...that was one we both know.

[@jeraldholcomb1984]

Black Sabbath is a Religious group. Go back to their first album. It will blow you away.

[@JerryR1701]

Per your request...THE WIZARD! This is the last time they played together when they retired in 2017...ENJOY! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ6pgnmMmM6jlassi=8HmdO9CYoU4BEqfl

[@tomasv26]

J cole!

[@CoachCastTV]

We will try to get another of his soon.

[@Gil334]

Great reaction. I wish I'd have seen it sooner. Subscribed. Most of their stuff is anti evil, if you really listen. From the same album "Into The Void" Should interest you.😉 And..I'm sorry, No disrespect, but you REALLY remind me of Barry Humphries. The Great Goblin in 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' character. Google it or IMDB it, if you haven't seen it. ❤

[@CoachCastTV]

Glad to have you aboard. And Coach has been called worse. LOL

[@angharaddenby3389]

Why do you think songs HAVE to have a chorus? I can literally name many hundreds, if not thousands, of rock songs that do not have a chorus - in fact, I reckon most rock songs DON'T have a chorus!!

[@CoachCastTV]

We don't think they have to have a chorus, but it felt a bit unusual for us. Most of the groups we listen to do have a chorus in their songs. It's likely there are plenty that also do not, as you say.

[@richardrobinson-wy9zb]

I agree, if you want a chorus listen to an orchestra. Rock and metal and groups like Pink Floyd is to make you feel the music.

[@The_Original_Geoff_B]

This isn't a song you're meant to just hum along to - it's meant to make you listen & think. But Sabbath aren't really a chorus band anyway 🤘

[@CoachCastTV]

@@The_Original_Geoff_B We are discovering that about them.

[@moefeaux1442]

Your views on "some" religious people can also be applied to today's liberals. Here's another song with harmonica to pursue "Sneaking Sally Through the Alley" by Robert Palmer, although I think listening to the trilogy of songs is the way to go. Here is that link for you if you care to explore: kzbin.info/www/bejne/laTVnGiNmJh3nsU

[@CoachCastTV]

We've heard some Robert Palmer but not that one. Thanks so much for the link. I'm sure my comment can apply to people of all groups. That just happened to be the topic at the moment. Thanks for watching!

[@montbob100]

Ozzy was a better preacher tan those fake preachers who said he was evil.

[@CoachCastTV]

LOL, truth!

[@taylorham9532]

hey love the channel i heard you like harmonica. check out help me-canned heat , a sony boy williamson tune i think you’d enjoy :)

[@CoachCastTV]

Great! Thanks so much.

[@montbob100]

Jesus hated all religions and threw the money changers out of the temple.That's why they killed him.This song is about that to me.Many more like it in their catalog.

[@edhc100]

Geezer wrote this song to stop the devil worship talk

[@mikekeeler6362]

What not heavy

[@longfootbuddy]

hate to break it to them, but all good songs come from god.. the devil is just the counterfeit hipsters can relate to

[@CoachCastTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@Gillie51-bl8su]

Not being a fan of 'heavy metal' in general, this is not a band that I ever listened to. Very thought-provoking lyrics, whatever your religious beliefs, or lack thereof. As you say, very unexpected from such a band. I found the pounding beat and bass to be a little repetitive, and would probably have given up quite quickly if I didn't want to listen to see where the lyrics took me. However, I missed a memorable 'singalongable' melody which would encourage me to listen to it again.

[@CoachCastTV]

That's actually a great summary of our feelings about it also. We're glad we listened to it but probably wouldn't seek it out again. It was worth the listen though. Thanks for watching!