PARANOID

"Paranoid" is the classic album and one of the milestones (if not THE milestone) of heavy- metal sub-genre. Dark menacing sound of bass, distorted threatening guitar riffs, stomping wild beat of drums and bleak "doom 'n' gloom" themes of war, destruction, evil side of humanity and drugs abuse made a blueprint of what was to become one of the more popular genres of rock music, equally praised by fanatical followers and critically dismissed by press and art connoisseurs.

In that sense, "Paranoid" can be considered a sort of "proto-metal" work, a highly original and fundamental effort that set the path but differed from later bastardization and industrialization of the majority of metal products and their banality. After all, 1970 was the era of progressive rock and many an album reflected certain number of "prog" elements, so "Paranoid" was no exception. Mega-hit title track and "War Pigs" are perhaps the best example.

It is hard to point any weak song on this album. The overall sound and track listing is excellent even with a slightly muted and hazy production. I only had minor objections toward "Iron Man" and "Hand of Doom". The former was apparently inspired by a comic book and sounds really juvenile, albeit with an immortal guitar riff, while the latter is somehow unremarkable and a bit too long. All that remains is a classic and I would like to highlight especially two overlooked songs: a psychedelic, almost space rock ballad "Planet Caravan" and excellent closer "Fairies Wear Boots".

On par with excellent debut LP, with slightly more focused songwriting and less jamming.

PERSONAL RATING: 4,5/5

P.A. RATING: 5/5