Earth’s premier heavy metal band, Black Sabbath was a conglomerate of musicians who stuck to their essence throughout the transitional phases between the late 60s and the new century. Having endured a few line up changes and the onslaught of many a metal act that wanted power and glory, Black Sabbath persevered and earned a permanent place in the Rock and Metal Hall Of Fame.
This narrative started with the word Earth and that was what Black Sabbath was originally called. Four young musicians from Birmingham joined together to create one of the most influential bands in history, and formed an unholy trinity with Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. Unlike the other two, Black Sabbath didn’t waste much energy in innovating and exploring new sounds. They stuck to their roots and delivered powerful songs packed with evil lyrics and crunchy guitar riffs and bass lines.
Though Sabbath went through many line up changes, it’s early days with the legend John ’’Ozzy’’ Osbourne were it’s most memorable times. With the incomparable Tony Iommi wielding the guitars and Terry ’’Geezer’’ Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums) forming a tight rhythm section, Black Sabbath recorded some classic pieces of heavy metal (a genre which most of you might not like... and which might warrant a series of NUs and SUs for this review)
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
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The album contains all the signatures of Black Sabbath. Tony Iommi’s guitar riffs and solos alternate between eerie and downright menacing but exude his brilliance at all times. Here’s a little trivia on Tony Iommi - Tony Iommi accidentally cut off a finger (or two) during his childhood and had to have a prosthesis put in its place. The lack of the limb cause him to tune his guitar a step lower than normal and that attributed to the awesome sound that he was able to conjure from his guitar.
Ozzy’s nasal voice and delivery betray the man’s unique ability and his status as a true icon. Butler and Ward are at their reliable best.
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath was released in 1974 and is packed with some of the best music this band has created.
The Tracks
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The songs on this album aren’t of the 100 notes per second variety. They have been paced slower than most metal songs and this approach adds more power and effect to the whole record.
The album has a slew of Sabbath classics such as ’’Killing yourself to live’’, ’’Looking for Today’’, the brilliant ’’National Acrobat’’ with it’s wailing guitar and the magical rock n roll meets heavy metal track ’’Sabra Cadabra’’.
There’s a marked shift from the traditional Sabbath approach as tracks like ’’Spiral Architect’’ and ’’Who are you’’ get a dose of synth and string sounds.
The one track that seems like a misfit on this record is the Acoustic guitar based piece by Tony Iommi, called ’’Fluff’’. It’s pleasing to the ears but in the given context of menacing metal music, it seems like a frolic in the pastures.
The key track on this record is the title track, ’’Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’’. Ozzy spews out the lyrics and heralds impending doom in his inimitable style. A brilliant track!
The people who have crippled you
You want to see them burn
The gates of life have closed on you
And now there’s just no return
You’re wishing that the hands of doom
Could take your mind away
And you don’t care if you don’t see again
The light of day
Summing Up
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You have to like the genre to appreciate the music. The overall brilliance can only be appreciated if you what Black Sabbath stands for. Still, if you are experiencing one of those gloom doom days and you need a release, close your eyes and listen to Sabbath Bloody Sabbath... you’ll feel a rush of blood within your system... and a sense of power...
~finis~
Other Sabbath Albums Worth Exploring: