Classical Composer Reacts to Black Sabbath's Debut Album (side 1) | The Daily Doug (Episode 449)

[@adambell3357]

Bill Ward does not get enough credit when “greatest” drummers talk comes up. He is such a solid drummer

[@SgtSteel1]

So true

[@htwrk2]

Absolutely!

[@DIEmicrosoft]

A Beast.

[@SteveC-Shaman]

Likewise, Geezer's bass was excellent and quite difficult to replicate.

[@samumppump9052]

he also wrote the lyrics too?

[@RobertJohnson-bj5lk]

3:12 - 🤘Starting your album with the “doom and gloom” sounds of a rain storm and the church bell announcing someone’s death is the most classically metal thing ever. 🤘🤘

[@memomariscal]

Bill Ward & Geezer Butler absolutely fantastic and underrated rhythm section.

[@roxammon5858]

Absolutely. Good shout.

[@charliepearson1678]

Yeah they are

[@grahamnunn8998]

As a guitarist, Tony has always been a hero but now I realise just how good they were. So much more inventive than a lot bands who took the template. Has that classic early Vertigo / Nepentha sound where a small line-up sounded huge.

[@robthomson916]

Yep Bill swings.

[@michaosanna]

yes, they are! Bill and Geezer keeps it all going. without them both, sabbath is not a good heavy band!

[@NoLegalPlunder]

I love how cerebral Geezer is. His interesting lyrics were such a critical element to their sound.

[@listonsen]

The lyrics on Black Sabbath were written by Ozzy. One of the few songs where the lyrics were all his.

[@TyeDyeGuyRV]

The Writ from Sabotage is the only other one I can think of, and they are wonderfully acidic. Oh, and Who Are You is entirely Ozzy, I believe.

[@listonsen]

@@TyeDyeGuyRV That sounds right. Also, Am I going Insane was all Ozzy.

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

@@listonsen Nope, it’s written by Geezer about a nightmare he had, where he was certain that the Devil was standing by his bed.

[@listonsen]

@@kasperkjrsgaard1447 In Ozzys' autobiography, he claims Geezer told him about that nightmare he had, and that served as the catalyst for him to pen the lyrics.

[@SylviusTheMad]

This whole album is basically the band playing in front of Bill going HAM on the drums, laying down incredible jazz drum solos for the whole song.

[@phitoman6964]

put Geezer instead of Bill in your sentence and nothing changes)

[@mcfcguvnors]

the fact theres no edits or cheesy cutting ,its raw its a jam that was so good it became an icon

[@darthinfimus4450]

It's kinda funny that Lars Ulrich is like that with Metallica. Drums always there. Can't get away from them. Dammit

[@darthinfimus4450]

Fucking cymbals

[@End-Result]

Exactly, it's like Stoned Satanic Jazz (not metal)

[@narfbach]

3:15 - Black Sabbath 10:55 - The Wizard 16:01 - Behind The Wall Of Sleep 21:00 - N.I.B

[@isveryniceyes]

Champion

[@None_More_Metal]

The band has stated that when they first debuted the song Black Sabbath live as their last song, the audience at the club went nuts and insisted the band play the song again. They ended up doing it 3 times, the crowd loved it so much. I mean, it was completely new. Nobody had ever heard anything like it before.

[@nodaysback1]

I've never heard that before.. Pretty cool to do 3 encores, all the same song! loll

[@gregraines1599]

They opened a door to a whole new world.

[@frossbog]

Ever heard of "Mars, Bringer of War"?

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

@@frossbog Yes, everyone knows that one and Carmina Burana are the symphonic "grandfathers" of metal.

[@patmcc7758]

Black Sabbath the song crystallises the essence of the band. Atmospheric, dynamic and scary.

[@timwirasnik5878]

And by the way, let's give Ozzy some credit here, the man is blowin a serious mouth harp on the Wizard!

[@lisaparsons4124]

Yes I agree Ozzy Osbourne a awesome singer and harmonica player.A awesome group

[@ernstaugust6428]

I love this song and it's so underrated.

[@steakandkidney3142]

He's a gob-iron god.

[@larrygallaway4224]

From time I first heard it, "Behind The Wall Of Sleep" shook me up and threw me around. It is an often overlooked gem and is absolutely my favorite track on this transcendent album.

[@RZAJW]

100% the best song on the album, just so badass and groovy like crazy

[@camronbay1]

The song is absolutely intense so much energy happening.

[@markb.8756]

Total agreement!

[@jimbliss8216]

I was introduced to this album when I was about 7. Can still hear my mom yelling at me: "TURN IT DOWN!!" Never thought I'd be revisiting it 50 years later, still getting goose bumps from "The Wizard." Timeless!

[@akisaki4327]

Tony's playing comes from his boss at the factory where he had the accident, introducing Tony to Django Reinhardt, who had a fire damaged fretting hand, and gave Tony the courage to continue playing.

[@commentingonly7337]

Reinhardt is killer too!

[@Ninang363]

Ozzy reached the subject while discussing the matter of perfectionism in rock music. He said: "Steve Vai once said to me: 'You know Black Sabbath’s first album is out of tune?' "I said: 'You know what, Steve? It still sells! So what the fuck do you want?' Rock music is not supposed to sound perfect. If you want to hear perfect, go and watch a fucking symphony orchestra."

[@timhoran1638]

That's why I roll my eyes at these reaction videos. Nobody listens to Black Sabbath because of the technical specifics. They listen to it because it f****** rocks.

[@brianrankin4550]

They were down tuned on purpose to get that particular sound

[@micindir4213]

@@brianrankin4550 Steve meant guitars are out of tune from one another. Kinda like a synth set at detune. And we all know how fat that sounds (we = less than 50 yolds). That actually answers decade-long question for me: why steve's music sounds so wimpy?! To be honest this sort of in-tune-but-out-of-tune sound has been turned into science by newer generation of stoners-doomers. Everyone after Sleep try to outmatch and nail that specific type of detuned sound.

[@martinschott873]

@Monica Bauer: This reminds me of another quote of Ozzy´s that I´ve read a long time ago and which goes like that: "Rock critics have to be the most conservative people in the world. Whenever some guys play something new and unheard, they ditch it."

[@nyobunknown6983]

@@brianrankin4550 They down tuned because Tony Iommi had the tips of 3 of the fingers on his hand cut off and it was too painful to play unless he loosend the strings by tuning down.

[@TippiGordon]

Ozzy: "Oh no please god help me!" Doug: "Nice!" Also Doug: "I mean, not nice for the person hoping that god can help him, but..." 💀

[@palefaced]

What a sound!

[@Mephilis78]

@@palefaced this song scared the crap out of me as a kid. Then there's the Type O Negative "Satanic Verses" version... ..

[@lisaparsons4124]

A awesome song and Ozzy Osbourne a awesome singer I remember in the 72when I was 6

[@interstellardave]

Such a classic album. Imagine if Tony had never had that accident… or if the accident had discouraged him from playing guitar. He’d have kept his fingertips, but what the world would have lost is incalculable! It just goes to show there’s a reason for all things that happen, and bad things can lead to good, if we keep our minds open to the possibilities.

[@rodneygriffin7666]

I was 5 years old in 1970 and this Album scared the sh*t out of me. They later became one of my favorite bands. In fact, the first album I ever bought with my own "allowance money" was Master Of Reality. It came with a real spooky poster that I hung on my wall. I was 7.

[@garymitchell5899]

FFS dude get a life. Who had allowance at 7, and bought albums of any kind especially these.

[@ZalMoxis]

That happened to me when i first put on Paranoid and I was 10..... it was my brothers album..... i nicked it along with Hawkwind's Roadhawks.

[@RogueReplicant]

@@garymitchell5899 Everyone had allowance at 7! I had my first job at 9 (paper route) so the allowance stopped then. Of course we bought albums or 45's with allowance money!

[@nocheteipsum]

SAME!!!!!!!!

[@waynevanstanley3795]

My first introduction to Sabbath was two German knock-offs. They were compilations from their first three albums: Black Sabbath, Paranoid & Master of Reality.

[@jostelleman]

This first Black Sabbath album was my first album i buy as a 16 year old from the money from a half year work (starded age 15), now i am 69 and still playing this album 1 or 2 times a week for 52 years now, and i still love this music. I am happy that you loved to listened Doug!! Greeting from the Netherlands Jos the old metal lover.

[@nooceluap7760]

I bought this when it came out, I was 14 or 15. I still get goosebumps listening to it. My favorite band, especially Tony Iommi. Greetings from USA Maryland.

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

Cheers from NY, USA. Keep rockin, friend!

[@jimclayhelms6910]

Almost identical story of how I bought this album as the 1st I purchased with money from mowing lawns. When I put it on I was mesmerized. Growing up in Lubbock Texas ( hometown of Buddy Holly, I went to school with his nephew) I had never heard anything like that before. Literally changed my life. Rock on!✌

[@stevecinneide8183]

"Behind the wall of sleep" is underrated as hell.

[@mcwulf25]

Yes I had forgotten it!

[@Rockerlady]

Amen!

[@reca2489]

It is indeed an amazing song, but unfortunately for it, is sharing side with Black Sabbath, The Wizard, and N.I.B., so there's no way it wouldn't be overshadowed

[@claudiostrauss9288]

Ya, it's a great song

[@mrcoatsworth429]

Fun fact: The Black Sabbath riff was inspired by Mars, the Bringer of War by Gustav Holst.

[@milannovotny2085]

@Nebby Scumbold Did he really misplayed it? I have always thought that the variation was intentional.

[@danwilliams4270]

@@milannovotny2085 According to Geezer and Ward- kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKCqn3x8rJWHoc0

[@elinino5275]

When you play that Mars riff on guitar it kicks so much ass!

[@Joshua_Froschauer]

I use Mars as my intro-Zen-out pre-workout song on my playlist!!!

[@calebfuller4713]

@Nebby Scumbold I mean, harmonically, both versions make sense and achieve a similar effect. I think, in the ultimate irony, when I tried to play the riff on guitar I initially went for the root, fifth, sharp fourth version, before realizing it was an octave jump... 😂

[@6teezkid]

I was 14 years old when this album was released and I bought it. We didn't know what hit us. Never heard anything like it. I thought Satan was gonna come get me!! But my girlfriends and I still loved it. Ha! 😱😁

[@michellacroix587]

Same to me! My first album ever and I was hook on Classic Rock music! I will turn 67 next month and I still get chills listening to it! The best era for music !

[@OpusBuddly]

I was around the same age when it came out. I loved it.

[@donaldsmith5667]

I got my first copy of Black Sabbath on cassette in the mid-80s and definitely had the same reaction. I remember not fully understanding it. Then I listened again and everything made sense. I still absolutely adore the first Black Sabbath album to this day.

[@uh8myzen]

I was 8 years old in 1982 when I first heard Sabbath. My best friend's teenage sister was listening to N.I.B. while she was babysitting us. I had never heard anything like it and was hooked. I spent hours sitting in their living room listening with her. She recorded every Sabbath album she had for me on to cassette (everything from the first album through to Mob Rules). I played them until they wore out. I still love Sabbath to this day and own every album they ever produced.

[@bobski7032]

I’m about six years younger than you the first time I heard this I was terrified and musically stimulated at the same time Tony Iomi is a gift

[@kylelewis4685]

N.I.B is so Iconic. One of the best lyrical arrangements and killer work by all three musicians.

[@jamiemacdonald436]

The N.I.B. reference to Cream, I believe you are hearing Sunshine of Your Love. I always got that same reference in my head when I listen to either track.

[@joenobody5631]

I vaguely remember Iommi or Geezer admitting that's where they took the riff from. Variations of the riff also appear in "Cocaine" and "Peace Sells", as well as others, I'm sure.

[@noordcop1]

I had the same tought...

[@paveantelic7876]

@@joenobody5631 it also sounds like in a gadda da vida

[@Opheggie54]

They actually didn't have a title to the song so Ozzy said that Bill Ward's beard looked like a pen nib. Hence NIB.

[@paulgmarriott]

"I can only imagine what this would've been like back in the day... to hear something like this, completely new and out front... like, what am I listening to?" I don't have to imagine, Doug. As a fifteen-year-old native of Sabbath's home town, Birmingham - into the likes of Zeppelin, Hendrix, Tull, and Purple at the time - in September 1969, I had the thrill of going to their first local gig under their new name of Black Sabbath (changed from Earth). Saw them a couple more times before they cut this debut album the following February. (I still have my early pressing.) So, yes, Doug, I can vouch for your sentiment. I'd never heard anything so portentous. Ozzy & Co. turned hard-rock's 'Heavy' knob up to eleven... and then some... forever.

[@arontimoteusszabo9502]

I read the story of this album in Ozzy Osbourne's life story book. This was their first album, and they were poor, so they recorded this album in one day only. Tony Iommi took the inspiration of the first song's riff from Gustav Holst - Mars suite, and when he wrote and played that riff, Ozzy literally got scared from the riff. (By the way Ozzy played the harmonica in the song 'The Wizard'.) And we have to mention our beloved bass player Geezer Butler. He wrote all of the lyrics in the album, and the inspiration to write the lyric of the song 'Black Sabbath' came from one of his nightmares. Ozzy put a bunch of books on Geezer's bed, and in his nightmare, Geezer thought that the devil himself sitting on his bed instead of books. So this was the short story of their amazing first album. 😀 (Btw I love your videos, I am a classical musician too and I love metal, It's great to see other musicians love metal just like me! 😀)

[@Dirgnimai7]

Just to clarify, Geezer wasn't sleeping/dreaming. He was wide awake. He saw a demon at the end of his bed, and it scared him half to death. It literally changed his life, and helped bring him back to his roots, i.e. the lyrics of "After Forever".

[@babylemonade2868]

And the book he had had disappeared

[@scifiordie]

@@Dirgnimai7 maybe he had sleep paralysis

[@Dirgnimai7]

@@scifiordie Perhaps. I know that demons are real, and clearly Geezer knows it, as well. Terrifying experience!

[@craigkowald3055]

Great analysis. I started my love affair with classical, jazz, and metal around the same time, listening to Sabbath, Tchaikovsky, and Brubeck to name a few. I think the link to classical may even go back farther, maybe to the Witches Sabbath finale of Berlioz's Symphonie Phantastique. The Liszt tone poems, eg, Hunnenschlact or Prometheus have that thick, sinister sound.

[@sagitt1856]

"Black Sabbath" (1970): The early beginnings of metal rock, when it was still influenced by the sound and melodic line of psychedelic rock. Timeless! Thank you, Master Helvering.

[@flapjackson6077]

“Hang out with Gandolph, y’all!” YES!!!! You da man, Doug! I have to say that I love listening to your reacts to long songs and whole albums as much as listening to the songs by themselves. It’s very informative when you explain the theory of what’s happening. Not that I get all of it, but that I get some of it. Thanks!

[@peteranundsson9189]

😂👍🇸🇪

[@mickkeeble3079]

I was 17 when I saw Black Sabbath play on May 18th 1970 in Romford, Essex in the UK just a couple of miles from where I lived (I still have the Poster) They weren't played on the radio so we only went by the interesting things about the band and their music that we read in the Music journals of the time. Me and my friends were completeley blown away by what we witnessed that night. I bought this Album straight away and still have it! ... and Paranoid ... and Master of Reality and .... etc etc. The experience still lives with me esp watching the roadies drilling into the stage and hammering spikes into stays and brackets around Bill Ward's drum kit. We discovered why, once he started playing and hammering the hell out of the drums! But with such rhythm and timing. Watch live in Paris 1970 on YT.

[@ScottyKirk1]

Pre KZbin I had that Paris '70 show on VHS back from the early 90s. Played the hell out of that thing! And dubbed copies for so many friends. I love all of the alternate lyrics in that thing! Eating dead rat's innards! Ha 😂

[@daveskinner8765]

Was that gig at the odeon Romford?

[@mickkeeble3079]

@@daveskinner8765 no, it was actually in a hall at the King's Head pub, famous for blues nights at the time but also up and coming young bands. I saw Uriah Heep there twice as well. The Odeon also hosted bands as well and I saw Deep Purple there in September the same year!

[@mickkeeble3079]

@@ScottyKirk1 Yes, Walpurgis had not yet fully developed into War Pigs at that time!

[@stevehead365]

Damn, I missed that gig. My local venue was the Cooks Ferry Inn, I don't recall Black Sabbath playing there, but I saw loads of good bands. Patto were my favourite and Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come. Great times, all new and exciting.

[@olastokken7670]

The bass amp is a Lanley guitar tube amp into a 4x12 cab with one broken speaker. That combo created the distorted bass sound, which all of us hard rock and metal bass players love❤️🤘😊

[@MetalGeek464]

I'ts so dirty you need a shower afterwards.

[@AnOldGreyDog]

Didn't Jean-Jaques Burnel's bass tone come from a broken speaker cone as well?

[@davidvasquez8658]

Tony also uses Laney Amps. Sound great!!

[@End-Result]

Yeah, this isn't a metal album and BS weren't a metal band

[@jasonmorse4527]

It sounded best with one blown speaker and a loose license plate back in the day

[@lisaparsons4124]

Black Sabbath a awesome group,I remember when I was 6 in 1972.My brother Barry Parsons played then.Barry passed away in 2019 July 19.He was63💐

[@danielmrtns]

Sometimes I go a while without listening to Sabbath. Then I watch this video, and it becomes so clear how brilliant and revolutionary they were in the late 60s/early 70s. And their sound is still so relevant today.

[@jamesking9807]

When you say you appreciate the rawness of it, you have to appreciate that they recorded the entire album in eight hours. Friggin' amazing!

[@presence5426]

Over 50 years old, made in one day... and still cool as heck. This music comes on and I want to turn it up to 11! Yep. Black Sabbath really were that good.

[@TippiGordon]

23:32 Doug is six months from big hair, a leather vest, and a blacklight poster. And I love it.

[@mauricesilva6177]

A masterpiece for their 1st album,what an introduction into the world of music during that time.good review Doug 😁👍

[@markmerenda8392]

Can't believe I missed this

[@felipecampos3045]

can you imagine living in a time were metal doesnt exist, and then you hear this...regarding the themes, they said there were aways horror films, but no horror music, so they made it that way

[@pobsdad]

I don't have to imagine, I can remember!

[@peteranderson9881]

5:53

[@nyobunknown6983]

I was 24 when this album first came out. When I first listened to it on my audiophile stereo turned up very loud I was left breathless. It gave me chills. I had never heard anything like it. Now 53 years later and I am still a fan of metal.

[@andynorth6166]

I can remember - 1969 had some amazing music, this being but one part of it

[@End-Result]

Yes. Because this isn't metal, you dweeb.

[@daveapple205]

I was 11 years old.....now I'm 63. This album never ends for me.

[@asharmstrong6730]

Same.

[@Steve-Martin]

I was 14 (1981) when I first heard this album. It never growns old. Brilliant for its time & still today.

[@robertakerman3570]

Dave I think My speakers smoked & I got a contact HI (they're old enuf).

[@2715bunky]

I was 8 yo now I am 58.

[@donnazasgoat2274]

I heard this too at age 14 and now I'm 63. Still love it. Really dislike people that say I've outgrown this.

[@lonelyplanet1080]

Excellent choice.......Black Sabbath was the stepping stone for rock music, I love this album

[@markmaioli4]

I was in 8th grade in '70, living in Germany (Air Force brat), when I discovered Black Sabbath. After their first album there was no going back to top 40 music. They led me to Deep Purple, Zeppelin, Bloodrock, Uriah Heep, etc. Totally changed my musical life!

[@jaquestraw1]

Our family moved to Heidelberg in '69, I was in 6th grade. Dad bought a stereo system and a bunch of reel to reel tapes from a GI that included Zep I & II, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull and so on. I was there with you Mark! Music was on!! Dad took me to see Zeppelin a few years later at the Munich Olympic Auditorium. First concert. Thanks dad ❤

[@megamaniac7402]

Nice that you mentioned Bloodrock. I've just blew some minds at a late night party when recestioning Melvin Laid An Egg, One of the heaviest riff of all time

[@MH3GL]

oOoOO Bloodrock???? A new band for my ears to be laid waste to!! Yes!!! Thanks 🙂

[@dennisgschmidt6167]

The often forgotten ATOMIC ROOSTER was another really good band from the same time period !

[@megamaniac7402]

@@dennisgschmidt6167 Yes. And also Hard Stuff, including Atomic Rooster members John Du Cann and Paul Hammond.

[@lancelotbarr5900]

Hi Doug from the UK. Great to see you like this iconic album, I bought this album as soon as it was released in 1970, I was 18 at the time. I still play it to this day. We didn't call it 'metal' then it was just heavy rock music, but as you mention it was completely different to anything we'd heard and definitely got our attention. first time to your channel and found it really interesting.

[@End-Result]

Thanks for saying this Doug. There are millions of misinformed dweebs on the interwebs who labour under the illusion that this album and band - metal. It's a real travesty because they were much more important than that.

[@metalmark1214]

Black Sabbath, The Wizard, Behind the Wall of Sleep, N.I.B. All great songs, just the third song one I'm least familiar with. Black Sabbath just foreboding. I love the harmonica in the Wizard and NIB, well Ozzy playing the part of the devil.

[@memelordmark7532]

Agreed! 😎👍

[@chipsawdust5816]

That half step in The Wizard is truly a trademark sound of Black Sabbath throughout their early days. My very first album I ever bought (age 13) was Master of Reality. My mom. had to listen to it in order to make sure I wasn't listening to some cult music. She ended up letting me listen to it, although she didn't like the lyrics that said, "Would you like to see the Pope on the end of a rope do you think he's a fool?" No, we're not even Catholic :P

[@ScottyKirk1]

Don't forget about 'Evil Woman' on the UK version of the album. Was actually a cover tune from a group of that era called Crow.

[@mcwulf25]

What I was thinking. Track 3 is really great though.

[@Samtose89]

The end of "Behind Wall of Sleep" and the bass solo into "NIB" are supposed to run into each other. That's why it sounds like Behind Wall of Sleep just fades out on the drums. Amazingly well produced album for being done in a couple days

[@marilyncapewell9234]

When you do side 2, you should add the song Wicked World, which was used as a non lip B side then added to the CD as a bonus track. It fits in fine with the other tracks

[@groundhogssplit]

Sorry mate, gotta disagree with you there. Yes, playing side 2 is a must, but keep it in it's original, unadulterated, as intended form, with no addition. Sometimes adding more takes something away, which I think adding Wicked World does. Side 2 ends great, it is complete without an additional track, and is a fitting end to the album as a whole.

[@bryanjordan4262]

‘Wicked World’ was on the US version, ‘Evil Woman’ for the rest of the world. So it’s a valid point that it should be included.

[@beatmet2355]

Wicked World is the best track from this period. It sounds like a jazz like passage at the beginning and then the main riff kicks in that sounds nothing like jazz.

[@mesmore896]

Bill Ward is one bad hombre, he's my favorite drummer of all time, I hear he's not doing too well these days.. Prayers for you my friend 🙏

[@MaestorRasanen]

It's mind blowing that this record was recorded in a day! I'm really curious that have you started listening more to heavy metal during this series you have Doug? If you have what excites you in heavy metal and what albums do you like? Thanks for the great series! After decades of heavy metal it's nice to see how you like the songs I have loved for years.

[@RobertJohnson-bj5lk]

22:09 - The song by “Cream” you are thinking of is: “Sunshine Of Your Love”.

[@caveman3021]

This album inspired so many other people to start bands and play music. One of the most important debut albums imo🤘

[@shawnknapp3957]

I always enjoy your clips. This was by far my most favorite. I like that you are fan of music in all of its interpretations

[@stevechristy3244]

You have to remember at the time this came out, the popular music at the time was all flower power, hippy drippy drivel and peace and love music. They came from Birmingham which is a very heavy industrial town, similar to our midwestern towns. It was different because it dealt with other aspects that no one wanted to hear at the time because instead of possible truths coming out, people wanted to live in dream worlds. Sort of like today. Great job Doug!! Keep it up.

[@davidellinsworth22]

"sort of like today"..... so true!

[@Codex7777]

It wasn't ALL 'hippy drippy' stuff. There was definitely already a move towards a heavier sound, with acts such as Led Zeppelin, Cream, Pink Floyd, Iron Butterfly, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Deep Purple, Free etc. In fact, flower power had pretty much died a death by the time this album was released...

[@garymitchell5899]

"People wanted to live in dream worlds". Utter nonsense, what exactly is your experience of 1960's England that this assessment is based on?

[@jzeke1712]

Ozzy said he was tired of the hippy dippy happy music that was popular, especially in the US at the time. Because that was not his life in Birmingham. He was eager to scare the shite out of all the flower power hippies.

[@jzeke1712]

@@garymitchell5899 Go ahead and look up the top 100 songs of 1969 and tell me which of those you think is “dark”. Lol. This album was released in Feb 1970. I don’t know anyone who was into music at that time that didn’t think Black Sabbath was totally different than all other bands. Zeppelin was great but they were way more blues based than they were dark. Kids back then only learned about Sabbath from the “freaks” of the neighborhood. They were not played on the radio like the other bands codex cites.

[@freddymo3339]

I think we are related. Doug , this album is where it began for me a, 67 yr. old rocker. Proud i am of you thus far. keep up the good work breaking down the magic in classic metal, bluezy rock and the best dummers ever.

[@merguetroidrittzlesnat2287]

Ditto for me -- I'm a 70-year rock & classical bassist. Every time I hear Doug here, or Elizabeth Zharkov on "The Charismatic Voice" KZbin channel, review what I think of as "the classics" and enjoy them, I almost feel like a proud papa, knowing there's a future for tunes from my youth amongst these folks' reaction videos. Maesteo Doug, many thanks for lending your critical listening skills to the tunes you cover here. I enjoy hearing music professionals dissect musical genres which have not likely been part of their original skill sets.

[@javalily]

The part that sounded like Cream was the song Sunshine of Your Love. This whole album is fantastic, start to finish. The 1st 4 albums are all great. And they banged em all out in 2yrs. They were so far ahead of their time, and still relevant topics today.

[@SeventyGTX]

One of the first 8-tracks I ever bought and played it until it wore out, then bought the album. My favorte track is on Warning on side 2. Just freaking epic!

[@davidecipriano8046]

That's great Doug. It's great seeing you enjoying this masterpieces. You would also enjoy a lot a full paranoid listening, with the masterpiece song planet caravan 👍👌

[@lahaza6515]

New to your channel after having watched Cygnus 1 & 2112 I looked at your video log and am so thrilled! I remember I was just starting 1st grade as a little girl, and my much older sister gave me this Sabbath record (she's responsible for my foray into great music). I remember being so scared of the rain opening, but was so compelled by the minor tones all over the place that there was no denying it.

[@michaeltoland1118]

Doug rocks. Thank you for all you do. I learn something from you every episode. Hats off to you.

[@riffmondo9733]

You are correct about these being simple but powerful riffs. Sabbath was one of the bands aspiring guitarists could play (for the most part). I loved jamming along to them back in the day as we as now and all of their albums are on my playlists. They were a pivotal band for sure.

[@johnpbh]

This has taken me back 52 years to 1970..... I was 17 when I got this album, and spent the longest time putting the first side on with my headphone and just going to sleep to it... So much happing that year... This one, Abbey Road, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Let It Be, A Question of Balance, Atom Heart Mother, Led Zep 3 to name just a few and The Beatles breaking up.. goodness, wasn't I such a lucky guy growing up when all this was happening. Keep on Rocking...!!

[@johnenock7939]

This propels me back to the Sixth Form common room, along with . . . The Moody Blues, Captain Beefheart, Frank Zappa, Santana, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk Railroad, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, The Groundhogs, Van Der graaf Generator, Soft Machine, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Fairport Convention, Steelye Span, Rory Gallagher, John Martyn, Atomic Rooster, The Nice, ELP, Nektar, Curved Air, Yes . . . . . much more . . . . No wonder I didn't (couldn't ) do any proper school work.

[@bernhardherrmann9230]

WELL, BRO, YEAH IT WAS HARD, TO CONCENTRATE ON OTHER THINGS DUE TO OUR BELOVED ROCK MUSIC ~ LET ME ADD SOME MORE BANDS I ALSO LIKE: INCREDIBLE!! URIAH HEEP / TEN YEARS AFTER / HÜSKER DÜ / MOUNTAIN / BLACK WIDOW / VANILLA FUDGE / INCREDIBLE!! HAWKWIND / BLACKFOOT / NAZARETH / COMMANDER CODY & HIS LOST PLANET AIRMEN / KISS / WITCHFYNDE GENERAL / GRIM REAPER / DIO / IRON BUTTERFLY / SCORPIONS /............! 🎉❤😊 (am 67 of age/. BERNIE GERMANY 😊

[@kevinsmith2666]

Great reaction Doug. I love this album. Can't wait for side 2. Some fantastic guitar solos on side 2

[@JohnSmith-mx8wp]

"Warning"

[@firebearva]

Back in the day it was new, exciting and rebellious. Smoke some hash, put on the headphones and crank it up.

[@DaedalusRaistlin]

So awesome to see your appreciation of this classic album. Love the additional insights and breaking down of the songs you provide. Can't wait for part 2!

[@WillieDuitt1]

When I first heard the title song as a teenager in the late '70s it really sent chills down my spine...which I guess is what they were trying to do.

[@nicholasjones3207]

Encountered this album as part of my initial “rock education” from a cousin when I was a kid. It’s remained magical to me for nearly forty years so far and doesn’t get boring.

[@mana3735]

Yeah, there's a slot of soul in Ozzy's voice. I bought this album when I was 12 or 13...it used to spook me right out.

[@underwoodvoice9077]

This album was a game changer for me when it came out. Nothing else sounded anything like it (as far as I knew). It's iconic, and it's been on rotation in my music collection for over 50 years.

[@OlettaLiano]

Sabbath has been my #1 favorite band for 50 years and will be until the day I die.

[@tj37475]

This IS my all-time favorite album Doug, great to hear you talk so well of it and enjoying it ... awesome review 👍 Best metal album ever ...... TJ

[@rickandgen]

The real amazing thing with this recording is that it was the very first time Tony played the Gibson SG, he had a Fender Strat that he heavily modified to his playing style (sanded down frets etc..) but it shorted out and he had to play his back up which he had just recently acquired. Came out so well that he continues to use the SG.

[@JohnSmith-mx8wp]

Can't picture him playing anything else but that black SG.

[@SgtStinger]

Black Sabbath is one of my favorite songs of all time. It is just so raw, so ground breaking, and oh so good in so many ways.

[@suzycreamchez123]

The first three Sabbath albums can't be beat. I love them to this day, and I'm not a metal listener. They are the best of what became a genre.

[@greghicks5960]

*four

[@andrzejgrocholski6130]

@@greghicks5960 oh come on , can You imagine rock music without Ozzy singing " sabbath bloody sabbath nothing more to do " its impossible

[@End-Result]

That's because they're not metal albums

[@fords_nothere_100]

TY so much Doug! Wonderful little trip. I don't think I've sat down and listened to a full side of this album in decades. Still holds up indeed.

[@asharmstrong6730]

It's Mapledurham Mill on the album cover.

[@robthebear2850]

Fun fact - Tony played a brief stint with Jethro Tull shortly before this was recorded. If you watch Tull play on the Rolling Stone's Rock and Roll Circus show you will see Tony playing his white strat.

[@billtbodger]

Black Sabbath in their early days lived up to their name, massive doom laden sound, Bill and Geezer just nailed it to the coffin while Tony's guitar was always perfect for the songs and Ozzy was just Ozzy, perfect for this style of music. This was the true birth of Heavy Metal

[@brianbrooks4448]

I like the fact that you don't keep stopping the track while you talk as some (many) reactors do.

[@sergejmiladinovic1181]

Honestly, the first 3 Sabbath albums are so famous, iconic and influential, that you should definitely listen/react to all of them.

[@gerarddion4859]

Thank you, Doug, for reviewing this monumental album! Nicely done! I’ve read that the riff of the title track was inspired by Holst’s The Planets. IMO, Geezer Butler’s bass sound is one of the most sinister sounding instruments in rock! Bill Ward shows that he is a true percussionist as evidenced in his barrage in The Wizard. Then of course there is Tony Iommi, few have been able to create so many pile driving yet highly melodic riffs the way he has. He combines blues with splashes of jazz and even occasional classical elements. That’s why he is commonly referred to as the “Riff Master” and “Lord of the Riffs”. NIB may be the first true rocking heavy metal riff. To top it off, you have Ozzy’s vocals. The best description that I’ve read is that of a “disaffected wail” which in my opinion adds to the forbidding nature of Sabbath’s music.

[@stephenward8550]

Fun fact... That sound of rain and the bells they opened that album with is the same sound they closed their last album with...

[@willrichardson1809]

Hey Doug, I have been away from here for a good few months, returned today and I had forgotten how good your reactions are, your a Top Guy, keep up the amazing work.

[@homer5802]

Christmas season 1970, I was 9 years old. I asked Santa Claus for this album for Christmas. Christmas morning was exciting for me because I got what I asked for. I asked mom if I could listen to my new record on the stereo. She said, "Let's wait for grandma and grandpa to get here, and we'll all listen together." Grandma and Grandpa came, and we put the album on. Mom went into hysterics, Grandma and Grandpa left, and I went to therapy. I never did tell mom about my Pink Floyd album

[@artaqifaturiel7512]

Dude, this was awesome. Thanks Doug! I need more of you analyzing good metal. That look in your eyes when they surprise you with something... new?

[@allengator1914]

I was a few weeks short of turning 15 when this album was released. I bought it as an early birthday present to myself, ran straight home, immediately threw it on the turntable and cranked the volume. My country western loving mom came running into my room screaming at me and forbade me to ever play it again in her house, which of course I totally ignored, plugged in my headphones and marinated in the sonic bliss of the birth of Heavy Metal. The only other time my mom freaked out about one of my albums was the first time I played Steppenwolf's debut album. I was only on the first track, but something about the song "Sookie Sookie" must have triggered her because she came flying into my room, snatched the album off my turntable and sailed it across the room like a frisbee into the wall and it shattered into pieces. I was bummed, but had to leave for a Pony League game and when I got home from my baseball game I guess she must have felt bad about it because there was a brand new Steppenwolf album laying on my bed. I know it had to almost kill her to go to the record store and run the risk of someone seeing her in there buying "Devil Music."

[@mcwulf25]

That's funny but also tragic for the 15 year old you. There aren't many albums where the opening track left me "wow" on first listen. This was one. Night at the Opera (Prophet Song, yes I know) was another. Rainbow Rising too.

[@BadWolf762]

Did you say "You ruined my record man, I just bought it".

[@funkroi1]

Thanks for playing this. I haven’t heard it probably sense it was new. ( yea I’m that old). Totally loved it then, still do. wow

[@htwrk2]

This album was great to listen to with headphones. Bill Wards drumming is awesome.

[@brianmills5302]

You're the 1st person that does these type of vids that doesn't stop the music every minute and a half so you can talk. Thank you for that! You're also quite interesting and know from which you speak. Peace

[@MakoyUnggoy]

My mate used to have the album cover opened out and used it to go along the back of his fish tank, when you looked in the front of the tank and she was just standing there inbetween the plants looking back, it was horrible but cool haha

[@garysmith7333]

I chuckled all the way through your video. It was fun. Black Sabbath was the first concert I went to as a kid. I saved my money and bought a drum kit. I used to play along with this album. And, Deep Purple, Jimmy Hendrix, Jethro Tull, Chicago as well as every other band out at the time. Fun stuff, thanks for reminding me...

[@andarchy1386]

Indeed all 5 have iconic riffs that have influenced so many bands truly the forefathers of metal

[@cmichaelanthonyimages2197]

You hit the nail on the head with that" who are these guys" remark. I felt that way, and was hooked big time. The words, music tone...it was very different to what was being played. Great album.

[@philshorten3221]

Another completely unexpected "proto-metal" from early '69 Pink Floyd (of all bands) released "The Nile Song" clearly not a sound they would stick with! But without doubt part of the British musical zeitgeist at that time. Definitely worth giving it a play 😉

[@ScottyKirk1]

Check out the cover by Voivod! Great stuff! Also they did a great version of Astronomy Domine! 😉 👌

[@Stefan-]

Another proto- metal song is Helter skelter by The Beatles from 1968.

[@arnesaknussemm7294]

And also to add: KC's 21st Century Schizoid Man

[@michaelbrown3128]

I love how you give every band a chance! For you to like the first Black Sabbath album makes me respect your knowledge of music, and take it serious. You've made me a fan of The Daily Doug!!!

[@sergejmiladinovic1181]

The albums that pretty much spawned metal are this one and Deep Purple's In Rock. Sabbath brought the darkness, the heavy riffs, the evil atmospheres, Ozzy's melodic wailing of desperation... Purple brought in the speed, shred, virtuosity, neoclassical elements, high pitched screams...

[@GeoffCB]

I first listened to both when I was 15, just after the Beatles were breaking up.

[@phitoman6964]

I think DP isnt about metal at all

[@sergejmiladinovic1181]

@@phitoman6964 On speed metal: "The origin of the genre's name is the aptly named "Speed King" by Deep Purple. Recording on the song started in 1969 making it nearly a full decade ahead of the musical style being recognized. The song is not only very fast and technical but was also extremely loud creating noticeable distortion in the recording process. The title song for the band's next album, Fireball, is a further refinement of the band's influence with drummer Ian Paice's use of the double bass drum. The way the double bass drum is played in "Fireball"-uptempo "four on the floor"-became a mainstay in many heavy, speed and thrash metal songs in the years that followed." On Neoclassical Metal: "Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore pioneered the subgenre by merging classical melodies and blues rock." Furthermore: "AllMusic's Eduardo Rivadavia has called In Rock "one of heavy metal's defining albums"." "Canadian journalist Martin Popoff wrote that "Deep Purple's In rock, along with Sabbath's Paranoid and Heep's Uriah Heep, all in 1970, outright and triple-handedly invented Heavy Metal", with In Rock being "the flashiest, freshest and most sophisticated of the three."" "Deep Purple are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock" From various Wikipedia articles.

[@joea7876]

@@phitoman6964 Flashback to 1972 and put on Purple's 'Machine Head' that had just come out at the time...please. Other than Sabbath, there was nothing heavier. Deep Purple paved the way for all the progressive metal bands going forward. Even 1970's release 'In Rock' with Speed King on it...that's as heavy as it comes to this very day.

[@phitoman6964]

@@sergejmiladinovic1181 thats a good point bro.but tbh I find nothing common between these songs and any typical metal song except speed. I mean you put on any BS song and yeah you hear metal in the mood of a song. you put on speed king and nothing like this.just fast hard rock. but thats just my opinion not the truth

[@bobthebear1246]

This was such an incredible Joy to experience it again for the first time, this time through your eyes and ears. Love, love, LOVE this video. 😍 Looking forward to you doing Side 2 next week.🤘🏻

[@frankspencer6935]

Yes, this is the peak of Sabbath. The 1970 Paris concert is a live masterpiece.

[@brianleblanc7893]

I used to have that concert on a video tape back in the day...........Like a dummy I loaned it to someone and never saw it again

[@bigdingus7198]

The peak? Nah

[@zdenkonouzovsky6947]

This is just the start - a great one indeed

[@davidw9736]

Into the Void is the peak

[@scanpics491]

@@bigdingus7198 Uhm, yes.

[@deBebbler]

Thank you for doing this album. Loving your reaction to this. Aside from the Sleeping Village jam (which contains some major scale melodies), this album is nothing but the blues scale and power chords. Pretty impressive what they were able to squeeze out of those minimal ingredients.

[@rikardottosson1272]

Very naturalistic drum sound. I also love how evil they make this sound. I mean the production makes you think you are in a room next to a drum kit, a bass rig, a PA and a cranked Laney. Few modern producers can make anything sound as laid back yet sinister as this

[@donaldsmith5667]

I’ve loved Ozzy and all the guys in Sabbath for decades, and it was so cool to watch you react honestly to some of my favorite songs.

[@Cinegavo]

Being born in 2001 I will never understand how revolutionary this album is but I'd like to believe I do. All I know is this is awesome!!!

[@davidellinsworth22]

I was born 20 years before you, and can't fully understand it either.

[@HughCorbyCruick]

I was a high school student when this came out and this was absolutely fresh and different to our ears…and it was great.

[@osidius77]

Thank you Doug, it's amazing how I can hear this album for the millionth time and be taught so many new things about it that it gives me a whole new level of appreciation for it. Outstanding, keep up the good work. Hopefully doing more sabbath soon

[@jpetersgoyanks]

This is one of those great moments in music history when you get to hear Black Sabbath from Black Sabbath on the album Black Sabbath. Bad Company experienced this same phenomenon.

[@jggouvea]

One should make a list of such phenomena, I'd totally want to hear them all.

[@jggouvea]

Rainbow almost did it, they were just trying to catch the rainbow that time.

[@jpetersgoyanks]

@@jggouvea Iron Maiden did it too. Bad Religion had an EP called Bad Religion with the same song name. I think the only album, song & band combo’s have been BS, Bad Company, & Iron Maiden.

[@kellinwinslow1988]

Great album. Can still remember being blown away that first time I heard it along with Rush's 2112. I don't know if you'll see this Doug,but I just realized that you haven't done a reaction to Alan Parsons. Seeing as he's one of the best engineers that has ever worked in music it would be great to see you react to something like I Robot or even Sterotomy. It's great to see that he's still doing stuff with a new album that just came out.

[@NoviJimB]

Make sure you do the US version, with side 2 starting with Wicked World! That's the only difference between the US and UK versions, the uK version has Evil Woman in place of it.

[@fenderchamp8241]

Evil Woman is great! Nobody Knows about it.

[@newpinglegend9304]

Wicked World. You want Wicked World. Maybe both, but Wicked World cannot be missed.

[@alexandre_am]

Wicked World is last on my CD

[@fenderchamp8241]

Not disagreeing with you about WW. Just said Evil Woman is a cool song that hardly anyone knows.

[@newpinglegend9304]

@@fenderchamp8241 I'd say go with both. One was on the UK release, one was on the US release - Into the bargain, for full information, there's a "Wicked World" on "Live at Last", without which, Black Sabbath cannot be well understood. And - Marshall JCM800 Lead. So there.

[@stevecoscia]

Your reaction is insightful and fun. I really appreciate your real-time commentary regarding chord structure and sound ambiance. I was 16 years old when I first heard this album in 1970. The sound, the songs, the arrangements and the audio production were completely new - there hadn't been anything like this before. My older brother had a nice set of headphones which transcended this music to a higher plane. This album has been a favorite for more than 50 years - I am 70 years old now.