PARANOID

Black Sabbath's second release, "Paranoid", is an iconic album with plenty of replayability value. One of the classic early metal albums, "Paranoid" took what had been laid down on "Black Sabbath" and reworked its elements into a tighter, more accessible package.

What we have with this album is a collection of dark, apocalyptic power chord- based songs with some extended instrumental jamming and plenty of use of the tritone. It works quite well; "War Pigs", "Iron Man" and "Electric Funeral" are all ominous, doom-impending metal classics and the album's other tracks, while not at quite the same caliber as these three, are all enjoyable to listen to.

While the spotlight for this album is usually on Tony Iommi's riffs, what really makes it for me is the rhythm section. Geezer Butler's booming bass lines and Bill Ward's drum fills are top notch and the instrumental "Rat Salad" features a great solo from the latter.

Not an especially progressive album but "Paranoid" is still a strong, memorable album to revisit now and again and enjoy every time you hear it.