Ranking Black Sabbath Albums 1970 - 1978

[@paulsimister944]

Sabbath were thought of as a local band when i was a teenager. I lived in a town about 30 miles away from Birmingham (where i currently live) and Ozzy lived in a village close to my town. I saw them on the Technical Ecstasy tour. I can't say i was that impressed and they werent as deafening as i expected. Ive always put Sabbath third in the big three with Purple (and then Rainbow) as my #1. These days i own the debut, Paranoid and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath along with a couple of live albums, Live Evil with Ronnie James Dio on vocals and one with Ozzy in the 1990s. I've owned Volume 4 and Sabotage in the past but i didn't take to them. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is my favourite followed by Paranoid. Both may make a top 500 but not much higher.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks so much. Very cool that for you, they're local boys. Also interesting that you're not a big fan even though they were local boys. Thanks.

[@carltwidle9046]

Hi Alan I remember my older brother liking Black Sabbath in the 1970s. He had their debut album Paranoid in 1970. I like that album and liked listening to it with my brother Kevin. The single lifted off it is cool , Paranoid.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

yea, I definitely like that album the most.

[@robertcooper411]

Paranoid was 2nd album. Debut album was self Titled.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

@@robertcooper411 of course. Carl is a super nice man with a cool channel. He probably just confused it. No confusion from my video though.

[@carltwidle9046]

@@robertcooper411 Thanks for that. I didn't know. My older brother had Paranoid, and I would like to listen to it with him back in 1970.

[@robertcooper411]

@@TheAlanRosenbergShow No worries,I read his comment before I'd watched the video in it's entirety.

[@DarrenMcGill442]

Hey Alan! I'm a new subscriber. Just making my way through your episodes. Really enjoying it! Thank you for doing what you do!

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

THANKS so much for watching me and giving me a shot, and enjoying it. I really really appreciate it, and will continue to show my collection and 50 year passion, and I so appreciate your comments and coming along for the ride. Really...Thanks.

[@ronalaurence3075]

I don’t think you have to be a big fan of a particular band to rank said band’s albums. The band’s major fans will - because of their deep immersion into the band - have a much more nuanced take on the rankings. That’s to be expected, as the music is embedded in their psyches. But that doesn’t mean that your rock ‘n’ roll ears and your music sensibilities are less equipped to separate great from good and okay from bad. And sometimes, the lesser fan also is the less biased fan. So, good for you, Alan, for branching out! I (like many others) think that Black Sabbath is probably the most influential of the bands that pioneered heavy metal music and set the stage for most, if not all, of heavy metal’s subgenres. I do remember when Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath were called “the unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal.” I thought that was a misnomer because I never considered Led Zeppelin or Deep Purple heavy metal bands. Zeppelin played hard rock and blues rock. Deep Purple rocked hard, but I never heard what I would call “metal” in the band’s music. To me, it was only Black Sabbath who carried the heavy metal mantle (though the band also played straight hard rock, for sure) which is why I consider it to be the most important influencer in the world of heavy metal. I, myself, have only heard the “Paranoid” album more than once, from start to finish. I think it deserves its accolades, though it’s not an album that I would play on a regular basis. I vaguely recall hearing material from Sabbath’s debut album and from “Master of Reality” when I was beginning my teenage years. But, when all was said and done, Black Sabbath was not a band that would ever beat out the multitudes of other bands and artists for a place on my turntable or in my tape decks. But, hey, that, of course, is just me. We all have our preferences. None are better and none are worse. They are just different choices. And that keeps life interesting. (IMHO)

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

As always, thanks so much. I agree that Led Zeppelin was way more than "just a heavy metal band". They're on the Mount Rushmore of rock music for a reason. There's so many Deep Purple lineups and they're all very different, but the most famous Mach 2 definitely rocks really hard and Ian Gillan's vocals - that really high "screach" vocal - super influential for the future of heavy metal/hard rock. Personally I can only take so much of it...lol. Like you said, for me, Sabbath is legendary, influential, deserving of their reputation, but at the end of the day...I'm still a "moderate" fan and don't listen to them very much amongst my other 5,000 albums.

[@wizardwandmusic6457]

The only one I won't buy is Technical Ecstasy. Thanks for doing B.Sabbath.- Cheers 🎶🎸

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks so much. I like it, though certainly not great. It's interesting when I listened to all the albums chronilogically, when I finally got to Technical Ecstasy, was a bit of a relief. It was bright, airy, not doomy. Just felt good. Certainly not typical Sabbath. Was interesting to listen in that way. Thanks again.

[@zachary1966]

Nice ranking, thanks! As a huge BS fan, mine list look today like this: 8. Technical Ecstasy 7. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 6. Never say Die 5. Black Sabbath 4. Vol 4 3. Sabotage 2. Master of Reality 1. Paranoid. They all fantastic albums in my opinion. Glad to see some loving of Never say Die, always liked that altought some people hate it. Cheers from Finland!

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks so much. Nice to see a huge BS fan's list and also liking of Never Say Die. A little surprised about Sabbath Bloody Sabbath - I always thought most huge BS fan's place it near the top. Of course all the albums are really excellent and we all have our favorites, and we like them all, so doesn't matter...but interesting. So cool from Finland too. THANKS so much.

[@zachary1966]

@@TheAlanRosenbergShow Thanks! I remember when I bought the SBS album in 1982 I didn't like it much except for the amazing title track and Killing Yourself to Live. In my opinion, they tried to modernize their sound (to my ears) too much after Vol4 and maybe they "wanted to be like Led Zeppelin" with that album, I don't know... I think they managed that thing much better with next Sabotage album. Nowadays I like the album very, very much and its growing on me a lot 😉

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

@@zachary1966 thanks again

[@thomaswery3087]

B4 I get started I purchased the large Caravan box 306 bucks but then after I ordered I checked out Madfish and they had it marked down to 174.99 pounds which I believe comes out to 210 bucks oh well.I noticed on your shelf it looks like you have Sweet Freedom by Uriah Heep out.That's one of my favorite Heep albums and I saw the Dave Clark 5 always liked them also.But here goes worst to best Sabbath. 8.Never Say Die 7.Sabatage 6.Technicol Ecstasy 5.Master Of Reality 4.Self Titled 3.Paranoid 2.Vol.4 1.Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Great observant eyes. That shelf is current listening. Also a Nektar live album and Red by Taylor Swift. Pretty diverse. Cool list. Always fun to see others. Thanks

[@eucharistman1]

Hey Alan. Just getting around to watching your new video today. I start watching and what do you do? You commit heresy and say Sabotage is the worst of the eight. Lol. For me, Sabotage is in the top four along with the debut album, Paranoid, and Master of Reality. I think it’s because Sabotage was the first Sabbath album I ever listened to from beginning to end. Anyway, I agree with some of your rankings, and I love that you are branching out and doing videos on Sabbath. Keep it up! By the way, I LOVE the Renaissance tshirt.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

lol. Thanks so much. You're not alone. Another huge Sabbath fan put Sabotage at #1 and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath as the worst (and I thought many Sabbath fanatics thought that was their best album). I listened to all the albums in order - and multiple times. I wonder if by the time I got to Sabotage, I was getting "worn" down by their "sound". Maybe that's why I liked Technical Ecstasy and Never Say Die! more than I remembered. Anyway, just a theory. Also I really do like all the albums including Sabotage. Nice pick up on my Renaissance shirt. By the way, now that's a band I'm a huge fan of....lol Thanks again!

[@wadecapone]

like, even huge fans of sabbath, some of 'em love underrated those two, technical ecstasy and neve say die. i belong to 'em, you know?

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks so much. Glad to know. I definitely enjoyed those two albums alot. Very different from the earlier classics, but enjoyable in their own way. Much "lighter" sounding, but not in a bad way. Nice to know even "huge" Sabbath fans may feel that way too.

[@oliverl.5834]

8. Never Say Die 7. Technical Ecstasy 6. Vol. 4 5. Black Sabbath 4. Paranoid 3. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 2. Master of Reality 1. Sabotage

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks for sharing. So interesting to see where fans place the albums - Paranoid at #4 and Sabotage #1. But you're certainly not alone - thanks.

[@oliverl.5834]

@@TheAlanRosenbergShow I like "Paranoid" Quite a bit. It was my 2nd Sabbath-Album overall and my 1st of the original Line-up. My very 1st was "Dehumanizer". The other 3 just toppled "Paranoid", I guess.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

@@oliverl.5834 it’s all really good in the end

[@TheSteveSteele]

1. Sabotage (genre defining) 2. Master of Reality (genre defining) 3. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (heavy and atmospheric - best album cover) 4. Paranoid (best collection of songs) 5. Black Sabbath (starting with a tritone says it all) 6. Vol. 4 (Supernaut and Under the Sun are classics, but their songwriting seriously slipped after MoR - Cocaine!) 7. Never Say Die (Swinging the Chains, Johnny Blade, Never Say Die, Air Dance and Breakout are good, but somehow the band sound dead) 8. Technical Ecstasy (same as Never Say Die - but Dirty Women alone is worth the album and is one of their best songs ever, especially live)

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks and love your little descriptions. The cover of Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is awesome, though for me the cover of the debut is amazing. Somehow that simplistic photo just captures the essence.

[@TheSteveSteele]

@@TheAlanRosenbergShow I agree. I forgot that when I was a little kid the first album cover scared the bejeebers out of me.

[@leteyer]

Black Sabbath, Vol 4, SBS, Master of Reality, Paranoid, Sabotage, then the last two in no particular order.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Definitely interesting ranking. I'm finding it also interesting that much bigger Black Sabbath fans than myself and placing Paranoid not near the top. Perhaps it's overplayed. Thanks so much.

[@spiritualarchitect4276]

My Top 5 5 - Black Sabbath 4 - Master Of Reality 3 - Sabotage 2 - Volume IV 1 - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath My fav 10 10 - Laguna Sunrise 9 - Planet Caravan 8 - Megalomania 7- Symptom Of The Universe 6 - Looking For Today 5 - Killing Yourself To Live 4 - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 3 - Snowblind 2 - Supernauat 1 - duh …. wait for it… Spiral Architect

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Very cool - thanks for sharing - ...lol....yep based on your name - was gonna guess that. Thanks again.

[@aaronsteelman4732]

Black Sabbath is one of my five favorite band, the only one of the bunch that isn’t prog. Not surprisingly, then, my favorite Sabbath albums of their first eight are their proggiest. 1. Sabotage. 2. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. 3. Volume 4 4. Black Sabbath 5. Paranoid 6. Master of Reality 7. Technical Ecstasy 8. Never Say Die

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks so much Aaron. As you know, I’m not a huge fan, so this was really fun for me to really take a deep dive into their classics. Obviously, your ranking is from a big fan and I totally appreciate that. You know it’s a big fan when paranoids at number five thanks so much for contributing.

[@aaronsteelman4732]

It really comes down to people’s tastes are subjective, I guess. I love Paranoid and the debut. They got me into Sabbath and metal in general. Without them, I wouldn’t have further explored their catalog. I just like the mid-70s stuff more. It’s kind of like with Pink Floyd, my favorite band of all time. Dark Side hooked me, and it is most people’s favorite - but I like Animals much more. In fact, it’s my favorite album of all time. The same could be said with Genesis: the Lamb hooked me but Foxtrot is my favorite.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

@@aaronsteelman4732I totally get it and agree. I call them my "go-to" albums or songs. Pink Floyd is a great example. No doubt that Dark Side is their "best" most perfect album. But I never listen to it. What's my go-to Floyd album ....Animals....by far. Foxtrot is my favorite Genesis album too (I did a ranking video on Genesis). It was also my first Genesis album.

[@aaronsteelman4732]

@@TheAlanRosenbergShow Yes, I watched your Genesis ranking show, Alan. I generally agree with your rankings. I think from a technical playing standpoint, Selling England is probably the "best" of the Gabriel era. (Man, Hackett on Firth of Fifth!) But it seems a little sterile at times and just doesn't have the warmth of Foxtrot to me. I know you aren't a massive Sabbath fan, but we are both huge Tull fans. So I thought I would let you know that Sabbath did kind of copy Tull with the individual album deluxe editions for the early albums, though not all of them. I'm hoping they get around to Sabbath Bloody Sabbath soon. They come with the original recording, a remaster or remix, generally a live set, and a pretty damn detailed book. Steven Wilson did the work on the Technical Ecstasy edition. If they ever do Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, he would be the guy for it. I thought he would have been for Sabotage too given the relative intricacy of the playing and the various time signatures used.

[@aaronsteelman4732]

Marillion has also done a pretty good job putting out deluxe editions for their individual albums, though I only like the Fish-period. Still and all, Tull has set the benchmark and no one has measured up, in my view.

[@FuturePast2019]

It's easy to agree. 1. Best song War Pigs. 2. Worst sounding album Vol 4. Steven Wilson could only remix the outtakes. What a pity. And 3. Master of Reality is the most hard core Sabbath album. 4. And the last two...yes, sounds different. My favorite should be like you said (6:53) 1972 (like Exile and Machine Head) but it's 1973 SBS.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

Thanks so much. Glad I'm not the only one who thinks Vol. 4 doesn't sound that good.

[@spiritualarchitect4276]

@@TheAlanRosenbergShow Vol. 4 sounds like it was recorded in Siberia.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

lol. never been to Siberia...but yea - doesn't sound great to me....Thanks.@@spiritualarchitect4276