BLACK SABBATH

In those days, it didn't take a long time to record an album. "Van Der Graaf Generator" took ONE day to do so for "The Aerosol Grey Machine". "Sabbath" will only need a couple more for their first album. The band's imagery, often related with black magic and sorcery is already very much present (just look at the cover).

These types of sounds were rather unusual for the time. A band had never sounded so heavy. Remember, this album is released BEFORE "In Rock" and all the fuss that this legendary album will generate. Sabbath's fame will be built in a matter of weeks. In the US first. They will cross the country like Led Zep a year before them but starting from East to West and build an incredible live reputation. At the top of the bill at the Fillmore, almost instantly (there is a great live release recorded from these sessions at the Fillmore West in Frisco).

Almost all the tracks are extremely heavy like the title track "Black Sabbath" which is one of the highlights. But "The wizzard" for instance contains some blues influence as well (which was a source of their inspiration in their early days - prior to this album). There will be several anthems of the band featured on this album ("Behind the Wall of Sleep", "N.I.B.) . More than thirty years later, they will still be played during their live performances. So, the early days fans (to which I belong BTW) are considering this debut album as a seminal album.

A great debut, fully in line with later work (which is not often the case in these ancient times : neither "Genesis", "Purple", "Yes" of which two does not share anything with "Sabbath" of course will produce such a debut : so close to their future production). Other highlights are "N.I.B." and the extra long "Warning" to give you a hint of the "Sabbath" power.

There will be lots of different version available for this album, including or not "Evil Woman" (a cover song and their first ever single). Since it is the weakest song of the European version, there is really nothing to worry about.

Seven out of ten but for the influence of this album not only on "Sabbath" future work but also for having generated the whole heavy (and not prog) metal genre I will upgrade it to four stars (but it is a bit on the high range, I admit).

Share this BLACK SABBATH review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to ZowieZiggy
• Report this review (#144168)
• Buy BLACK SABBATH music online with PA partners
• Show all BLACK SABBATH MP3/Stream
• Go to BLACK SABBATH page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Black Sabbath page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for BLACK SABBATH related discussions