PARANOID

Paranoid, Black Sabbath's second album, besides being probably the best work of the group, is one of the cornerstones in the gestation of heavy metal. With a raw and harsh sound, the hallmark of the band, in just over 40- minutes the demonic and furious guitar riffs of Tommy Iommi flood the entire rhythmic spectrum of the album. Very well supported by Ozzy Osbourne, who despite not having a particularly privileged voice, with his peculiar style and charismatic personality, perfectly matched the band's musical proposal and image.

Many of the most emblematic songs of Black Sabbath can be found in Paranoid: the extraordinary and representative War Pigs, a critique of political power due to their inclination for armed conflicts; Paranoid, a forceful and galloping short-lived rock; the halftime paced and dark Iron Man with his runaway finale; and finally the spooky Electric Funeral, to whom doom metal owes several coins.

The different touch in Paranoid is given by Planet Caravan, a hypnotic and ghostly theme that only confirms the legendary belief of Black Sabbath's interest in the esoteric and dark, approaching something similar to voodoo or black magic session.

The album is completed by the instrumental Rat Salad (including a correct drum solo by Bill Ward), and the bluesy reminiscences of Iommi's primal style with Hand of Doom and Fairies Wear Boots, which without having the aforementioned transcendence, are a couple of excellent songs too.

I remember when I first heard Paranoid several years ago, and the feeling of being present to a chilling walk through the deep roots of the most primitive and disturbing side of rock remains with the same intensity to this day. A crushing work.