20 September 2020

Band: BLACK SABBATH
Active: 1968–2006, 2011–2017
Album: PARANOID – the band’s 2nd LP

Released: 18 September 1970 – 50 years ago
Score: #1 in the UK (there only No 1 LP in England) and #12 in the US

Rolling Stone review: “It’s impossible to imagine what heavy metal would have become without the iconic gloomy riff of ‘Iron Man’ the musical thickness of ‘War Pigs’ and the rapid-fire chugging of ‘Paranoid.’… From the first track to the last, Ozzy Osbourne’s cutting voice outlines any manner of topics that would feature in metal over the next few generations: imminent doom, drug casualties, nuclear war, brutality, uncaring autocrats, cosmically fated love and general disillusionment. The music is dark and gloomy with blues-inspired guitar riffs that other groups have Xeroxed into an unrecognizable oblivion. Paranoid was the sound of Black Sabbath’s reality, a plea for understanding that would resonate with millions of people feeling the same disaffection, many of whom would form groups like Metallica, Pantera and Slipknot – groups that would change the face of metal, as well as the world.”

Ozzy Osbourne: “I got rabies shots for biting the head
off a bat but that’s OK – the bat had to get Ozzy shots.”

Key tracks: War Pigs / Paranoid / Iron Man

– WAR PIGS –

– PARANOID –

– IRON MAN –

Full album…

.
BLACK SABBATH: Facebook

(Band photo: Facebook BS)