Those who have been following my blog posts may be surprised of this particular style of music that I am advocating. What can I say? I enjoy music!
For the sake of the readers, I won't go into specific detail of all the information because for any classic album, there has been a thorough analysis of it. Instead, I will provide just the gist to whet your appetite.
Greatest Metal Band of All Time
Birmingham-based English rock band, "Black Sabbath", originally consisted of singer Ozzy Osbourne, drummer Bill Ward, bassist and main lyricist Geezer Butler, and guitarist and main songwriter Tony Iommi. However, throughout the history of Black Sabbath, the band had countless line-up changes, with Tony Iommi as the only constant band member.
(Side note: Scuzzy was inspired by the word 'scuzz', meaning something regarded as sordid, disgusting, vile, or disreputable, and Ozzy the Prince of Darkness.)
Pioneers of Heavy Metal Music:
Initially Black Sabbath was a blues rock band under the band name "Polka Tulk Blues Band", then to "Earth". In 1969, the original members were inspired by the 1963 Italian horror film Black Sabbath, directed by Mario Bava and starring Boris Karloff. Along with adopting the title of the film, they also incorporated horror-inspired lyrics and occult themes.
Since their inception, they have influenced numerous innumerable acts including Slayer, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Anthrax, Megadeth, Pantera, and Van Valen. Even acts such as Nirvana, Disturbed, the Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, System of Down, Rage Against the Machine and many more.
As well as being the godfather pioneers of heavy metal, Black Sabbath is credited for setting the foundation for the subgenre black metal, doom metal, thrash metal, stoner rock, sludge metal, and grunge.
I will be sharing specifically their second studio album "Paranoid". Mind you, I could have gone with any of their first five albums deemed to be classics in their own right. Hopefully I will be able to share with you the rest eventually.
The Sound Of Apocalypse
Released in September 1970, "Paranoid" is often regarded as the influential foundation in the development and evolution of heavy metal music. Since the release of "Paranoid", the album topped the UK Album Charts until 2013, which was replaced by their nineteenth and final studio album, "13".
Tony Iommi said that the majority of the songs from this album was derived and evolved during onstage improvisational jams.
All the songs was composed by Black Sabbath and all the lyrics were written by Butler, except "Fairies Wear Boots", which was written by Osbourne.
Black Sabbath - Paranoid
I believe the video below is the 2009 reissue which includes the original tracklist, as well as the instrumental version.
Tracklist:
- "War Pigs"
- "Paranoid"
- "Planet Caravan"
- "Iron Man"
- "Electric Funeral"
- "Hand of Doom"
- "Rat Salad"
- "Fairies Wear Boots"
Here's a 1970 live performance by Black Sabbath at Theâtre 140 in Brussels, Belgium.
Black Sabbath - Live in Brussels (1970)
Tracklist:
- Introduction
- Paranoid
- Hand Of Doom (alternative Lyrics)
- Iron Man
- Black Sabbath
- N.I.B.
- Behind The Wall Of Sleep
- War Pigs (alternative Lyrics)
- Faires Wear Boots
Previous Episodes:
- #10: The History of 'Sunny'
- #9: Live Sessions Pt. 2 featuring Chet Faker, Glass Animals, Ella Eyre, Tash Sultana, Aurora, and more.
- #8: '50s/late '60s Doo-wop | Featuring The Platters, The Marcels, The Penguins, The Cleftones, The Channels, and more.
- #7: Live Sessions Pt. 1 featuring BINKBEATS, Fkj, Esperanza Spalding, Yussef Kamaal, Thundercat, and more.
- #6: Samples of Nas' "Illmatic"
- #5: Blue-eyed Soul featuring David Bowie, Bobby Caldwell, Hall & Oates, Boz Scaggs, Dusty Springfield and more
- #4: '50s/'60s Rock & Roll, Garage Rock, Rockabilly, Novelty (Halloween Edition)
- #3: Late '70s Psychedelic Soul
- #2: '60s/'70s Brazilian Bossa Nova
- #1: Late '70s South Korean Funk