...
1 - Black Sabbath: We begin in a rainy graveyard type place... This sets the scene of what's to come. Unexpectedly (but very fittingly) the first riff is very very slow, but probably the heaviest thing ever heard at the time it was released. We hear Ozzy's voice slow and chillingly start ... Read review
Advantages: Just a great revolutionary album. Disadvantages: There aren't any proper ones.
.../> 1 - Black Sabbath: We begin in a rainy graveyard type place... This sets the scene of what's to come. Unexpectedly (but very fittingly) the first riff is very very slow, but probably the heaviest thing ever heard at the time it was released. We hear Ozzy's voice slow and chillingly start to narrate a story. This goes on for some time and get's us set up for the album. Half way through the song there is a sudden tempo change and things start ... ...walking by. As always for Black Sabbath, great riffs. This would make it onto my top 10 Black Sabbath songs too probably, and it also must receive a 10/10.
3 - Behind the Wall of Sleep: Not quite as classic as the first two songs, but still a very good song. It's nice to mix things up and have some variation, so this song is slightly more chirpy. I always see it as a heavier interpretation of what was already on the scene at the time. ... more
This is pretty much the original heavy metal album. I don't think any heavy metal fan exists without this in their collection, and if they do then they need a slap really.
1 - Black Sabbath: We begin in a rainy graveyard type place... This sets the scene of what's to come. Unexpectedly (but very fittingly) the first riff is very very slow, but probably the heaviest thing ever heard at the time it was released. We hear Ozzy's voice slow and chillingly start to narrate a story. This goes on for some time and get's us set up for the album. Half way through the song there is a sudden tempo change and things start to kick off for the rest of the album. As a first Sabbath song ever, this is an absolutely essential song and because of that it cannot receive less than 10/10.
2 - The Wizard: Another absolute classic. A bit faster than the last song, really great singing too. Strangle it's slightly comedic at the thought of a wizard walking by. As always for Black Sabbath, great riffs. This would make it onto my top 10 Black Sabbath songs too probably, and it also must receive a 10/10.
3 - Behind the Wall of Sleep: Not quite as classic as the first two songs, but still a very good song. It's nice to mix things up and have some variation, so this song is slightly more chirpy. I always see it as a heavier interpretation of what was already on the scene at the time. Very good song, but in comparison to what's also on the album I can only give it 8/10.
4 - N.I.B: Best Bass intro ever? Maybe. Anyway after this has finished, another brutal riff is unleashed, and typical almost chant like singing. Great song throughout and has some excellent solos in it too. Classic? Definitely. 10/10? Yes.
5 - Evil Woman: Bit more chirpiness once again, excellent bass riff going on here. Can't say I'm the biggest fan of this song, although it is YET ANOTHER classic Sabbath song. It's not a bad song, but I'm only going to give it 7.5/10.
6 - Sleeping Village: A complete change from the rest of the album. This song is very slow to start with, can't say the style of singing suits Ozzy's voice. A good solo follows, then we're back to another very slow riff. This continues in this fashion. It has some exceptional solos, but I think that it is a little too long and gets a bit boring. 7/10.
7 - Warning: Quite a good interlude track, this has a lot of variation, especially considering it's only 3:30 long. Have to say I do like this song, and it definitely fits the album. 8/10.
8 - Wicked World: This is the last track, and they've closed on a high. Great riff, and a good interlude in the middle. Finishes things off nicely. 8.5/10.
As I've said this album is an essential purchase. One slightly criticism is that the end dies out a little bit, they just aren't quite as memorable towards the end, but that may just be because the beginning is just so good that it's impossible to follow.
Don't let that put you off, as I've said, everyone should own this album, just get it.
Advantages: Awesome album, filled with raw metal a its best. Disadvantages: Poor production by today's standards.
...blues classic "Evil Woman" displays Black Sabbath’s roots for all to see - the main influence from the music comes from an amalgam of overdriven 60s rock like Hendrix, but the atmosphere and moody twists come entirely from the blues. Overall, a must have for anyone who calls themselves a fan of heavy metal music, and for anyone who wants to trace the roots of ALL modern rock music - almost no band manages to escape being influenced by this group ...
Spongly 15.12.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
Advantages: A major album in the roots of metal Disadvantages: nothing to write here my friend ;)
...cliched sound that developed as Black Sabbath and metal aged.
The album culminates with three songs, 'sleeping village', 'the warning' and 'wicked world', which you may have heard on compilations and thought, yes, they are pretty good songs, but when heard together they form the ultimate show of what Geezer and Tony Iommi could do, and you are left wondering if the ball bearings imbedded in Iommi's fingertips is an unfair advantage. ...
Rixie 26.05.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
Advantages: Origins of metal! Disadvantages: slighlty primitive
...dawning of heavy metal. Black Sabbath WERE the originators of true heavy metal, and this album is the first few timid steps taken by that young band all those years ago as they found their footing in the music industry. The band were perfectly balanced: Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, who’s lunatic antics would soon make him the immensely likeable godfather of heavy metal; Tony Iommi’s on guitar, an immensely talented guitarist who almost single-handedly ... ...Butler, a fantastic bassist who could literally unblock bowels with his thunderous bass lines; and finally Bill Ward, one of the finest drummers ever (2nd only, in my opinion, to the legendary John Bohnam) whose amazingly diverse drumming style is often imitated, but never duplicated. With such a perfect line up how could they fail? This is a slightly raw sounding album, but musically it is pure gold. An essential buy, not just for a piece of musical ...
Steviee 17.09.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
Advantages: It's got Paranoid, and a groovy cover. Disadvantages: No Iron Man!
The Collection was the first Sabbath CD I ever bought. After being introduced to them by a friend, I went looking for a general "best-of" kind of album, and this was the first I found.
The main attraction to me was the inclusion of Paranoid (the first, and possibly best, track) and The Wizard - both classic Sabbath tracks. These aside, there are many other good songs up there. The biggest shortfall is the lack of Iron Man, another popular song but ...
ronniec 03.11.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
Advantages: a good solid album Disadvantages: a few bad songs
Vol 4 proved to be Sabbath’s first steps away from their normal sound, and the beginning of their experimenting. It is very much a mixed bag, but almost all the songs are good. The opener, Wheels of Confusion, is truly an epic song, it changes several times throughout, and is musically stunning. Tomorrow Dream is also superb. Next up is Sabbath’s first shocker, an almost ballad, which consists of piano (by Iommi) and Ozzy’s softest vocals yet (although ... ...FX is a strange and pointless musical interlude, which was best left out, and is really just a filler, but after that comes the gargantuan rifferama of Supernaut, with some truly amazing drumming by Mr Ward. Snowblind, the tell-tale Coke anthem is next up, underlining the bands apparent drug addiction at that time, and also managing to be the best track on the album. There is a relaxing (and musically impressive) interlude in the form of Laguna Sunrise, ...
Steviee 18.09.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: not helpful Review of Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
How does it compare to ...
Value for Money
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath"
Advantages: Sabbath at thier best. Disadvantages: None.
I fancied getting some more practise in at writing music reviews, I have done a few soundtrack albums and got good ratings for them, but I wanted to see if I could talk about the same kind of music for an entire review and still make a good job of it.
This is one of my all time favourite albums and for me, signifies the start of Doom, so I really hope I do this fantastic album justice.
BLACKSABBATH?
Surely there is no one on the face of this earth that hasn't heard of the immortal BlackSabbath, but incase you have been asleep your entire life, here is a list of the people who performed on this album (Thier lineup has changed over the years)
Tony Immi - Lead Guitar, probably one of the all time great guitarists.
Geezer Butler - Bass Guitar, brilliant bassist with some amazing solo parts.
Bill Ward - Drums, has played ...
Advantages: sees Sabbath beginning to experiment successfully with new textures Disadvantages: lots of instrumental
BLACKSABBATH VOL.4
1: Wheels of Confusion/The Straightener (8:14)
2: Tomorrow's Dream (3:12)
3: Changes (4:46)
4: FX (1:43)
5: Supernaut (4:45)
6: Snowblind (5:31)
7: Cornucopia (3:54)
8: Laguna Sunrise (2:52)
9: St. Vitus Dance (2:29)
10: Under the Sun/Every Day Comes and Goes (5:50)
Yet another groundbreaking powerhouse recording featuring some excellent guitar work. This includes great classics like Tomorrow's Dream, Changes, Supernaut, Snowblind, and Laguna Sunrise BlackSabbath VOL. 4 is a must have addition to any BlackSabbath collection released: early september 1972 the album features some of Sabbaths most memorble tracks and sees Sabbath beginning to experiment successfully with new textures such as strings, piano, orchestration and multi-part songs.. Yet the classic Sabbath sound is still very much in evidence ...
Advantages: 2 CD's of Black Sabbath! Disadvantages: 2 CD's is not enough!
When I saw this double sided album in the shops I had to jump at the chance to add this to my collection. While I was a rock fan, I had not been to well introduced to the band formerly known as 'Earth', then 'BlackSabbath'. However, a friend of mine in his own rock band told me of them and played me 'Paranoid'. I was hooked - there was nothing today on the market of the same rock quality as this. Two CD's of riff roaring, heavy metal and rock action makes this one of the all time great rock albums from a superb rock band. Sabbath's best material is featured on the double sided album.
1st CD : Track Listing -
BlackSabbath
The Wizard
N.I.B.
Evil Woman
Wicked World
War Pigs
Paranoid
Planet Caravan
Iron Man
Electric Funeral
Fairies Wear Boots
Sweet Leaf
Embryo
Children of the Grave
Lord of this World
Into the Void ...
Product Information for "Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath" »
Product details
Title
Black Sabbath
Performer
Black Sabbath
Genre
Heavy Metal
Release Date
24/05/2004
Recomended Retail Price
8.99 GBP
Original Release Year
1970
Label / Distributor
Sanctuary / Universal Music
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
5050749203120
Catalogue Number
SMRCD 031
Additional notes
Album Notes
The archetypal heavy metal band, Black Sabbath unleashed a debut album marked by ponderous, sludgy rhythms, heavily distorted riffs and chords, and more than a whiff of darkness and Black Magic. Its crushing atmosphere of doom proved intense and relentless; the cumulative effect was dubbed "downer rock," but it proved immediately popular with a disaffected audience. Though no one could have predicted it at the time, Sabbath was laying the groundwork for a genre that would continue to grow in popularity through the '70s, '80s, '90s, and beyond. BLACK SABBATH announces the arrival of both the band and the style in no uncertain terms. Though given more to extended jams and "suites" than later Sabbath recordings, songs like the ominous title cut and the bluesy, harmonica-driven rocker "The Wizard" set the standard the band would follow for years to come. Singer Ozzy Osbourne already possessed one of the most distinctive voices in rock, and his chemistry with guitarist Tony Iommi, whose crushing guitar work descends like a ton of bricks, is undeniable. Still dug out, dusted off, and played, BLACK SABBATH is, in many ways, the true beginning of heavy metal.
Album Reviews
Q (8/00, p.126) - Included in Q's "Best Metal Albums Of All Time" - "...[This] was to prove so influential it remains a template for metal bands 3 decades on. The band's signature song remains the scariest of all heavy metal songs..."
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
17/09/2000
Compare Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath to other similar Hardcore, Punk & Heavy Metal »
