Reviews (page 3 of 16)
This is great stuff, had never heard this early album in all one listen. RIP Ozzy you legend.
Ozzy!
Ozzy died yesterday. Just over two weeks after the farewell show too. He’d said in the past that he wanted to die onstage and he came as close as he could. I’d never listened to this in full before and I’m astonished at how ahead of its time this was. This is heavy, dark shit. Towering riffs, blistering arrangements, and a commanding lead vocal performance. They even have a song with the same name as their band and it’s not corny! The first true heavy metal album ever made and it holds up, which is high praise. Maybe I’m being extra generous because of Ozzy’s recent passing, but I think this fucking knocks.
After the death of Ozzy Osbourne (RIP) it's Black Sabbath's debut. The opening title track is incredible, sets a really foreboding atmosphere for the album and the lyrics are explicitly evil and referencing satan. This must have blown people's minds in 1970 I'm less impressed by the fact that this was the first real heavy metal album, and more just by how good the music is. Tony Iommi's guitar playing is amazing, the riffs rock but even more than that, it just has a real heavy and doom-mongering vibe. I don't normally like really long songs with loads of noodling but I loved Warning. Very good album
R. I. P. Ozzy Imagine being gifted this album the day after he passes
Black Sabbath, in my opinion, not only created metal, but created multiple genres of metal, and only within the span of a couple years. Their first three albums in particular are an incredible run of innovation while maintaining the highest quality of song writing. Black Sabbath, their first album blows the doors of its hinges. Sometimes I try to put myself in the shoes of a first time listener in 1970 and I can't even comprehend it. It's heavy in a way that was previously unheard of. Every riff is iconic. Every melody incredible. Ozzy's vocals set the bar for metal to come. Even the more bluesy tracks, which stand out on this release, are full of incredible life and performances. And all that's not to even mention how Sabbath pathed the way visually and lyrically for this sound. Has to be a top ten all time debut. RIP Ozzy. *Heard before
Ozzy died yesterday. RIP thank you for making some amazing music!
so good. Iommi is riff god Will I listen to again: 100%
Yes, please.
Nice, anyone else get this album the day after Ozzy died? Coincidence? Maybe
first time listening, pretty groundbreaking for that time
Even if Ozzy hadn’t passed the day before, this would still rate five stars. Fucking straight-from-hell metal blasting the incense-and-peppermints scene to smithereens. The songs have only intensified in power since their debut. Long live the Madman of Rock and Roll!
Truly an iconic album that fully deserves five stars, even though it has one clunker (Evil Woman) and meanders just a little bit on the second side. Black Sabbath followed by The Wizard is just an insanely good opening ten minutes, and enough to secure this five stars even if the rest of the album was just silence. This album set the template for everything from doom/ sludge/ stoner metal, to... well heavy metal full stop. It's difficult to pick out any one element that makes this so good, but if I really had to, I would pick the bass guitar.
Seriously?!? Is there any question how amazing AND absolutely influential this album is.
5/5. A pure classic that defined a new genre of music that only started coming into its own like 10 years later, when those teenagers listening to this were inspired to create Heavy, Black, Thrash, etc. Metal. Even now, there is a sense of rawness that only adds to the energy. It does lean more heavily into rock/blues but there is still that darkness throughout that gives the album the respect it deserves. RIP Ozzy. Best Song: N.I.B. (The whole third track if not just that one), Black Sabbath, The Wizard
This, right here, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the beginning of Metal. The title track heralds a new era. It's true that there still are many Blues influences on this album, and not all of the songs are as good as they could be, but this one started it all. 4 stars for the music, add half a star for the sheer iconic influence. 4.5/5
No comment…..historic
Classic - Rip Ozzy
First track still outclasses all other doom metal songs
One of the best bands of all time for a reason.
Great album from the king of darkness
Love this album. The classic first Sabbath that scared as many as it thrilled. The album that launched a million bands and provided the blueprint for all heavy metal-dom. RIP Ozzy.
One of my favorite albums of all time and my #1 favorite album featuring misheard lyrics. A legendary album for many reasons, few albums have influenced music as much. Even as it ended up birthing an entire genre of music, its heavy blues influences makes sure it will forever stay one of a kind. Rest in peace, Prince of Darkness
The beginning of something new that terrified the establishment. I love it.
Wonderful Album!!!!
Amazing
This is one of my all time favorites, Not a bad track on it. Ozzy, may he rest in peace. This is what I grew up listening to.Toni Iommi is amazing. Bill and Geezer, one of the best rhythm sections ever.
Masterpiece. Randomly chosen by the app the day after Ozzy's death making a very poignant listen. A genre defining record with some absolutely fantastic tracks. The Wizard has long been a favourite. Will make this my first 5 star rating since starting on this journey.
This has some of the best guitar I have ever heard, along with the Haunting vocals of Ozzy this is the easiest 5 star album I've heard
Genre: Heavy Metal Black Sabbath are true forerunners. These guys played a massive part in not only developing the sound of “heavy metal”, but they also laid down some of the genre’s most essential listens. The title track, Black Sabbath, is a quintessential example of what heavy metal can do, musically and emotionally. Ozzy’s vocals (and harmonica), Iommi’s guitar playing, Geezer’s bass, and Bill Ward’s drumming all throughout are still regarded as examples of what to do right on a heavy metal record. Up and down they’re challenging the form while making sure to respect the rock and blues that made their sound possible. A wonderful record. RIP OZZY :( 5/5
🙏
Had to dig through my album stash for this. I've been listening to Black Sabbath for just about 40 years, since I picked up a cheap cassette of *Black Sabbath Live at Last* at K-Mart. Their first seven albums have followed me ever since. Still, this and *Never Say Die!* might be the albums I've listened to the least, so I'm glad to give it another few spins today.
Rip Ozzy <3
When I saw this on my project today, I thought I was going crazy due to Ozzy's passing, but I think a lot of people got a Black Sabbath album. This album was part of a crazy four album run (this, Paranoid, Master of Reality, and Vol. 4) that absolutely revolutionized music forever. Picking up where Jimi Hendrix left off, this album really helped create an entire genre of music that is still popular to this very day. While lyricism is very simplistic, the instrumentation even today is unbelievably amazing. The mix sounds like a record that could be made today. While not the first work that is considered to be heavy metal with Helter Skelter by the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix's guitar, I would say that its influence stems from Black Sabbath being the first band to solely be a heavy metal act. My only complaint is that the album is a little short with it only having 5 songs (even though two of them is almost 10 min long), but other than that, I think it is one of the most influential and important records in music along with Paranoid. Considering they recorded this all in one day (October 16, 1969), I think that it still holds the standard for the classics. It is even more crazy that this album was able to evolve music forever. This is why I would say that it deserves 5 stars. RIP Ozzy, we love you and thank you for giving us such amazing music! Favorite Tracks: Black Sabbath, The Wizard, NIB Rating: 5/5
Cracking album. RIP
5/5 RIP Ozzy.
Wow, so much better than any debut by their peers.
Honestly, amazing great riffs, great atmosphere one of the best debuts of all time RIP ozzy
Uhh... Duh.
After the very sad news yesterday of the death of Ozzy, there was no other possible album to listen to today than this first Black Sabbath album, a testament and begging not only of a band but of a whole musical genre. The gothic atmospheres, fantastic solos, and the recognizable voice of Ozzy, which matches perfectly the sound of the album, make of this first heavy metal album an all time masterpiece that shows the greatness of a band like Black Sabbath. And, wherever Ozzy is, long life the Prince of Darkness, because a legacy like his never dies.
Pulling this album the day after Ozzy passed almost makes me question the randomness here but I will just enjoy the synchronicity. I am far from a heavy metal person but there is something undeniable about early Sabbath. I can't imagine what was going through people's heads hearing this for the first time 50+ years ago. Yet it still has this crazy energy and yet slowly creeping doom that takes you another world even today. Only my maybe second listening to this album but I enjoyed the hell out of mt playthrough this morning with the added emotion of hearing the start of such an original career with the hindsight of how the last chapter was written.
Foundational
Very important and influential album
Ozzy Forever
The album that started genres. This album is always on heavy rotation in my life, along with many other Black Sabbath albums. Legendary and was always going to get played a lot today, on the day after Ozzy's sad passing. The algorithm did well!
I gave this a spin last night as a pertinent tribute to our newly departed musical legend. I feel that there's little else to say about the quality and enduring influence of this album that others haven't, or won't, come to mention in their reviews. This is one of those albums that I perhaps only listen to a couple of times a year, much like with the other "golden run" Sabbath albums, however its impact remains unabating whenever I decide to drop the needle onto this one. My journey into Black Sabbath came reasonably late, after my love for all things heavy metal had already developed over a number of years before I finally gave their catalogue the time it deserved, but that did nothing to lessen how vital their music felt to me despite my pre-exposure to more extreme subgenres. Absolutely essential. RIP Ozzy 🤘🖤
amazxing
Wow. Very apt selection the day after he died. 10/10.
According to Ozzy Osbourne's obituary in the New York Times, Black Sabbath got their real start because they figured, "people pay money to get scared watching horror movies -- why not music too?" Fucking genius. This album rules, and it's a shockingly complete genesis-of-genre attempt. Horrific, demonic, heavy, dank, and utterly ROCK solid. RIP Ozzy. Fave songs: The whole album.
NIB is easily on my top 3 Black Sabbath songs, this album is nuts.
I kind of get that people might not like Ozzy's voice, but if you can't listen to it musically and find genius you should just give up and go home. Sabbath did better albums including with Dio but contextually this has to be 5 stars
Wizzed
Pretty much defined what heavy metal should be. I know a lot of bands came before that were like proto heavy metal, but Sabbath did it right. I type this with a heavy heart as Ozzy Osbourne passed away yesterday, July 22rd 2025 and I think everyone got this album on their list if they had not rated it already. Great album, the beginning of a really solid run of amazing albums from Sabbath. 5/5
Yesssssssss
OK. Ozzy died yesterday. Ima loves Black Sabbath. I gave him a vinyl record yesterday because I had bought it in Dublin. Everything, within these 24 hours, revolves around Black Sabbath. And I loved listening to this album, to be honest. I didn't expect to like it that much, but I did, and it is a great feeling.
What an album, perfect day to listen to it after the legend passed away. RIP ozzy
RIP Ozzman
Rest in peace Ozzy. Would’ve rated this a 5 before, and I still will now.
Long live Ozzy!
An imperfect album but the one that started it all. RIP Ozzy.
This was so loud for it's time. Probably blew your grandma's wig off. 9/10
En av de sterkeste debutalbumene gjennom tidene. En ny sjanger blir så tydelig etablert og på en så inonisk måte. Tre toner - en oktav og en tritonus - utgjør det første, ekte metall-riffet i historien, og står fortsatt som det ondeste av dem alle. Grunnlaget for så mye tung musikk blir lagt utover dette albumet. Selv om Ozzy ikke helt har funnet stemmen sin ennå, guider han oss gjennom plata på strålende vis. Mye av blues-innflytelsen er fortsatt veldig tydelig i flere låter, så albumet er også en fin bro mellom 60- og 70tallet. RIP Prince og Darkness
A true metal classic. RIP Ozzy.
O Ozzy partiu ontem e hoje reouvi o álbum onde tudo começou. 'Back to the beginning', né? Icônico é a palavra que define tanto este álbum quanto a voz que marcam o nascimento de um gênero musical. Descanse em paz, Ozzy, quem mostrou que devemos perseguir uma vida fora do ordinário (extraordinária é a palavra, não?).
Changed the game
Fantastyczny
Amazing
I’ve only listened to this album about 1000 times before so…yeah this is a great one. Love to hear that blues influenced sound with Ozzy’s haunting lyrics.
Rest In Peace Ozzy Osbourne. His passing feels particularly surreal, everyone's said it, but he truly seemed on some level like he couldn't die, like he's almost felt more like a mythological figure than a man at times. And, as I have already said on my Vol. 4 review (fantastic album by the way), Black Sabbath is a band that has been in DNA for as long as I remember. In fact, I was fortunate enough to see them on their 2016 final tour, and it is, to this day, a cherished memory, so this has some weight to me. I cannot overstate the importance of this album to me and to metal as a whole. And, while I know that discussions occasionally re-emerge about how Helter Skelter, or 21st Century Schizoid Man, or Sunshine Of Your Love is *really* the first metal song, but honestly, after listening to this again, it really isn't close. These are all great songs, and they were all on some level important to the development of rock as it approached metal, however I think I can say with a degree of confidence that the first strum of Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath off of Black Sabbath may be the exact moment of Heavy Metal's birth. No one was doing this: the iconic tritone riff, the thick, truly ominous atmosphere with that rain and ringing bell and everything, Ozzy's wailing, the lyrics, and the sheer *weight* of it all coming together were truly unmatched. Even the album art adds to this perfectly, it's legendary, and honestly still eerie today. And if that first note was the birth of heavy metal, then the drop into the huge, epic ascending riff in the second half of this song is the christening. If rock as a whole couldn't keep up before, now it was *certainly* left in the dust. And even though a couple tracks here kind of feel like they maybe have a pinky toe left in the '60s, especially The Wizard, and Wicked World, everything here still carries the feeling and tone set out on this first song, at least on some level, and all without a real drop in quality. I think it also helps that a lot of what I'm picking up on these songs is Sabbath's blues and jazz influence which is pretty much always in their music, so it feels pretty natural. And, additionally, at this time, Black Sabbath was an incredible band, and they really kept it up for like 6 albums. Ozzy was of course the face here, a distinct voice and presence to latch onto, and the ground zero for the metal frontman. Tony Iommi's style honestly sounds fully formed, his riffs are huge, his solos are distinct and awesome, and he locks in very well with the rhythm section. Speaking of which: Bill Ward brought a lot of the jazz here, I honestly think he may be kind of an underrated drummer, his fills are like insane here. And Geezer Butler, holding it down on bass, adds some real thickness to this sound, and is one of the most influential bass players in the genre's history for good reason. The only songs I haven't mentioned yet are the suites. Wasp/Behind The Wall of Sleep/Bassically/NIB has some of the album's greatest moments on it. Behind The Wall of sleep is classic Sabbath, but the real attraction here is bassically into NIB. Geezer Butler shines on Bassically, laying down a sick bass solo before dropping *seamlessly* into NIB, which has like the best bassline in metal. And good thing too, because the song is like 75% bassline by weight. And this album closes with A Bit Of Finger/Sleeping Village/Warning, which is also fantastic. The intro here sees Sabbath playing around with their sound palette a little, and the rest of this track can stand with the best of them. Of particular note is the guitar solo, which lets Iommi just tear it up for an extended period of time, and it really showcases his unique talents as a guitarist. This is just fantastic, and frankly it's incredible that this manages to be this good while writing the rulebook for heavy metal. This album truly stands alone among music at the time, and it shows why we are still talking about Sabbath today. RIP Ozzy, you will be missed.
Great album. More bluesy than one might expect.
It's a 4 star but I couldn't give it any less than 5 on the day after Ozzy's death. This is the album that started it all. The legend.
A Black Sabbath Album one Day after the death of Ozzy Osbourne? Is that a coincident or did the Prince Of Darkness himself send this to me? RIP Ozzy!
First two Sabbath albums are pretty much perfection. On the self-titled here, you can hear the blues, the rock, and even a little bit of progressive rock. All of the musicians involved were musical geniuses. The atmosphere in this album is like no other, and I don't think anyone else could capture it this well. I don't go back often to this album, but I genuinly love it. Especially the opening track. Rest in peace, Ozzy.
Amazing album, I listened to this yesterday just as I heard Ozzie passed, it’s such a shame. Amazing art, it’s wild to think they knew how to be this heavy back in 1970. Inventing the genre, being a bunch of practically 18-year-olds coming up with music like this is amazing. I’m excited to listen to the entire stretch of their catalog, This is an easy, five stars.
The greatest.
First of all RIP Ozzy, the world lost the GOAT. I can’t imagine hearing this album in 1970, that would have been absolutely wild. The sludginess of Geezer’s bass is amazing, Tony Iommi’s Riffs are unstoppable, this album is the first true metal album and is a masterpiece.
I saw them at Hammersmith Odeon in London 1977 as part of their Technical Ecstasy tour. My friend who I went with was so overboard with the band that it put me right off them. I did enjoy some of their music quietly by myself, though I don't like heavy metal in general. I think that this 1001 album generator is not so random, why else would this come up on the news of Ozzy's passing. RIP mate, respect.
Again, not a random generator. RIP Ozzy. Not my personal favorite Sabbath album, however, gets bonus points for introducing such a groundbreaking and influential heavy sound that has been imitated for over 50 years, spawning several rock sub-genres. The influence of this band, album and sound cannot be overstated - and it all started here.
Recorded in one day back on the 16th of October 1969 Black Sabbath's S/T debut album was unarguably the birth of Heavy Metal and as such one of the most important albums ever recorded. I want to say so much more but I know there is absolutely nothing that I can say that hasn't been seen better endless times. So, I'll ramble on a little and then finish getting ready for Comic Con in San Diego. The album cover art to Black Sabbath's debut album used to scare me silly as a kid. That yellow witch just standing there made me turn me head anytime I saw her in my dad's record room. I still find it very unsettling at 23. I think I always will. Few album covers have ever fit the music within so perfectly. I got to see Black Sabbath twice with my dad in 2013 and 2016 both times they were great & played 3 or 4 songs from the debut album. Yes, I have the best dad in the world. Out of well over 100 concerts/shows that I have attended (a big chunk of them with my dad) I enjoyed Black Sabbath as much as The Who (my favorite band after The Beatles) and almost as much as The Rolling Stones just last year in Las Vegas who were on absolute fire. What a great album on a great label (Vertigo Records) if you have any interest whatsoever in hard rock/heavy metal you need this album. You should also check out other bands on Vertigo Records. There are better Heavy Metal albums (by Black Sabbath themselves and a few others) but none are more important than the one with the scary yellow witch on the cover.
What is this that stands before me? Why, it's nothing less than the birth of heavy metal! The Beatles had yet to release their last album, Britain still used non-decimal currency, women couldn't vote in Switzerland and Black Sabbath went and did this. Obviously the whole album is necessary (although a bit formless and noodly, coming directly from their jam-heavy shows), but really everything I say here revolves around one song in particular - that opener. That tritone. That riff. That other riff. There are two periods in music - before Black Sabbath was released, and after. Favourite tracks: Black Sabbath, NIB, The Wizard
Excellent listen.
Tell me this generator isn't randomized.
The day this album showed up for me was 23rd July 2025. The day after Ozzy died. Quite fitting coincidences. The album is also really good.
A true classic. So well done.
So somebody has flicked the switch on the day of Ozzy's death and everyone has a Sabbath album to listen to. A nice touch. I've been a little lax with 5's recently and this is my third Black Sabbath album, the other two both getting a 5. If I was to be ultra critical I don't think this is quite up there with Paranoid and Vol 4. However how can I give a debut album of this quality, and an album which gave birth to a whole new genre of music a mere 4? I can't.
Today is the day after Ozzy died and 18 days after his final show. A million bands owe their existence to this album.
Rock icon
I imagine it was inevitable that this album would appear today, and I suppose many people found this as their album of the day. As it happens, on hearing of Ozzy's passing, I had started a Sabbath deep dive, something I do every couple of years. It took me a long time to get Black Sabbath. In the late '70s, a friend put together a heavy rock mix tape with "Iron Man" and "Paranoid" on it, and I liked them, but the first Black Sabbath record I bought was Heaven and Hell, on which Ronnie James Dio sang. I heard the Live At Last record which was put out to compete with H&H and it wasn't good, and I therefore considered early Sabbath as monolithic and relatively monotonous. What did I know? "Black Sabbath" by Black Sabbath from Black Sabbath started a new genre. It would be difficult today to find a metal band who didn't owe at least something, even indirectly, to Sabbath. They were responsible for the creation of Heavy Metal, even if they were not trying to. They took the heavy blues of Cream, jazz influences (especially in Bill Ward's drumming and Tony Iommi's guitar. They were heavier than anything else, primarily due to the great riffs, particularly in Geezer Butler's bass doubling Iommi's guitar. They were progressive and inventive, much more than they were given credit for. Sabbath would make better albums. My favourite varies depending on where I am; Masters of Reality if I am in a Doom Metal mode, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath or Sabotage if I'm feeling spacey and proggy. But this is where it started and, if you don't know the band, this is where you should start. And Ozzy Osbourne was a singular and unusual talent. The number of band's who turned out for his, and Sabbath's last hurrah, planned as such but now irreversible, pays testament to his, and their, influence. RIP.
Not much to say, Great record, 5 stars, RIP Ozzy
Pretty much defined what heavy metal should be. I know a lot of bands came before that were like proto heavy metal, but Sabbath did it right and scared the crap out of hippies. Gotta love them for that. I type this with a heavy heart as Ozzy Osbourne passed away yesterday, July 22rd 2025 and I think everyone got this album on their list if they had not rated it already. I love it. Great album, the beginning of a really solid run of amazing albums from Sabbath. RIP Ozzy.
Overall: 10/10 Well, this is a big one for a lot of reasons. First of all, this is the first metal album ever. Sure, there were songs in the past that had similar vibes and elements of what would become metal, but this was the first full album that really captured this dark and doomy tone thag would go on to define metal. You couldn't ask for a perfect pairing of killer riffs, chunky low ends, the most amazing jazz inspired drumming you'll ever hear and wailing, awesome vocals. Speaking of the vocals, the reason this album came up in the generator today is because Ozzy Osbourne, that awesome vocalist, died yesterday. It's truly something a lot of us knew would happen someday, but it almost doesn't feel real. Realistically, the fact that he even made it to 76 years old is almost a miracle considering his hard lifestyle. He just always seemed like one of those celebrities that would never die. RIP Ozzman. One other thing: the drumming in The Wizard blows me away every single time I hear it and I can't believe a human being came up with it. Incredible stuff from the endlessly underrated Bill Ward. Fav Song: The Wizard Least Fav Song: Sleeping Village
What an debut album this is btw. Riffs a plenty, big drums, big vocals. RIP Ozzy! 🥰
RIP Prince of Darkness
100/10. Oh, my...this will be exceptionally painful to review. Today is 23 July, 2025. Yesterday was 22 July, 2025. Yesterday, the metal died. 22 July, 2025 started off oddly. I overslept, and I woke up past noon. The air in my bedroom was dry, and I only gained the ability to speak until around one hour after waking up. For breakfast, I had my usual serving of scrambled eggs on sourdough bread, and a cup of black coffee. After enjoying my breakfast, I decided to go watch the Eurovision Song Contest 1999. Over the course of several weeks, I've been re-watching every single Eurovision Song Contest in chronological order, because I plan on ranking every single Eurovision song from my favourite one, to my least-favourite one. I started with the first competition from 1956, and every day, I would watch the proceeding competition. Yesterday, it was my turn to watch the 1999 competition. So far, my favourite entry is the Slovakian entry from 1994 (Nekonečná pieseň - Tublatanka). Anyway, I watched the performances of all of the entries from 1999's Eurovision Song Contest. During interval acts, I usually multitask, since I usually find them a bit boring on their own. I decided to open Reddit, and get my daily dose of news. I wanted to check out some of the latest news regarding Black Sabbath, which is one of my favourite bands. Immediately, I read something that I believe was along the lines of "In honour of Ozzy Osbourne, what are your favourite songs of his?". I was a bit confused. A couple of weeks prior, Ozzy Osbourne got honoured at a final concert. Then, I saw another post about Ozzy Osbourne's memory. I thought to myself: "He's not dead, is he?". Then, I saw an absolutely dreadful headline. It's a headline that I hoped that I would never have to read. "Ozzy Osbourne, dead at 76". In that moment, I immediately began screaming. Then, the screaming turned into sobbing. It felt as if my heart sank to the floor. My soul hurt. Every centimetre in my body was shaking. I was numb. I felt broken. I sobbed like a baby. I locked the doors to my room. In a manic state of mind, I messaged some of my friends. I couldn't type coherently. I was in a massive state of shock. Some of my friends were concerned for me because of how horribly I was taking the news of Ozzy Osbourne's passing. I have never met Ozzy Osbourne. However, he meant a lot to me. I am a huge fan of his music. Black Sabbath is one of my absolute favourite bands. I love Ozzy Osbourne more than I love my own father. Ozzy Osbourne is one of my absolute favourite solo artists. To me, and to tens/hundreds of millions of people, Ozzy Osbourne is a hero, a legend, an idol, and the one and only Prince of Darkness. He is the face of heavy metal music. Nobody was ever like him. Nobody is like him. Nobody will ever be like him. There was only one Ozzy Osbourne, and there will only ever be one Ozzy Osbourne. I wanted to believe that Ozzy Osbourne would never die. I knew that he was not in good health, but I wanted to believe that he would truly never die. At the beginning of the year, I pleaded for him to survive 2025. When Garth Hudson died, and while I was mourning his death, one of my friends told me that this was a sign that Ozzy Osbourne would survive 2025. I prayed that his words would age well. I thought to myself: "If somebody must die in 2025, please do not let it be Ozzy Osbourne". Ozzy Osbourne died before 2026. I am extremely grateful that I got to watch Ozzy Osbourne get inducted into the "Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame". I wanted to watch "Back to the Beginning", but I didn't want to spend $30 on tickets to watch the event live. Anyway, the fact that that event happened is a true miracle. Initially, I lied to my Mama about why I was crying when she asked me why I was crying so hard. I told her that one of my online games accidentally got deleted. She then tried to make me feel better, and said something along the following lines: "It's okay. You can bring it back, can't you? Worse things can get deleted. For example, people die.". Then, I thought to myself: "Oh, crud.". This was a case of somebody dying. Eventually, Mama read the news of Ozzy Osbourne's death herself, and she asked me if I heard the news. Then, I confessed to her that I had been lying about the reason why I cried. Luckily, she wasn't upset with me. I ate some food to stop feeling so hungry, but my stomach was still shaking, and it felt empty. I felt empty. I spent the day listening to Ozzy Osbourne's music, and sobbing. Even when one of my peers performed an Ozzy Osbourne impression, I began crying. I don't know if I've ever cried as many times in a single day before. Perhaps the last time I've cried this much was when I was a baby. I've lost count of how many times I've sobbed today. I'm mad at the world for letting Ozzy Osbourne go. I'm also grateful that the world gave him a chance at all. Everything reminds me of Ozzy Osbourne. No death has ever impacted me the way that Ozzy Osbourne's death has. Ozzy Osbourne conquered music. Ozzy Osbourne even conquered reality television. Now, the world feels silent. It feels like everybody, from die-hard Black Sabbath fans, to people who only knew Ozzy Osbourne for being a long-haired man who once bit the head off of a bat. I do not feel okay with the fact that the world is just going to carry on without Ozzy Osbourne. I'm apparently supposed to accept that an enigmatic force that's been blazing for half a century is now gone. If Bob Dylan, Phil Collins, or Peter Gabriel die before the year ends, I might have an actual heart attack. The effect that Ozzy Osbourne's death has on the world of metal music is like the effect that Michael Jackson's death had on the world of pop music. I suppose that now, the Prince of Darkness has been crowned the King of Darkness. I'm glad that I was able to learn about him, and listen to his music while he was still alive. Ronnie James Dio died when I was still a toddler. Wow...I am still in so much shock right now. Sorry for writing numerous paragraphs in mourning. Anyway, I have yet to talk about the music in Black Sabbath's self-titled album. Black Sabbath's debut album is truly exceptional, and has gone down in history as one of the greatest, and most important albums of all time. Black Sabbath single-handedly invented metal music. Without this album, there would be no Metallica, Iron Maiden, or Judas Priest. I am eternally grateful for this album's existence. The bell sounds at the beginning of the title track probably make everybody get chills. Absolutely groundbreaking. All 39 minutes and 23 seconds of this masterpiece deserve the utmost praise. Every song is brilliant. Every note feels like it's in the right place. Long live metal music. Thank you, Ozzy Osbourne. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten. Thank you. Mulțumesc. Merci. Tak. We love you. 🖤🪦🕊️🤘🏻🩶
The first metal album, and still one of the best. A perfect masterpiece. RIP Ozzy!
The album that began it all for hard rock/heavy metal and it still holds up.
Poetic justice, the first album after Ozzy passes is his first album. RIP Ozzy.
As soon as I learnt of Ozzy’s death I wondered if there would be another tribute selection on here as there was for Brian Wilson. I had my own tribute last night but went for Paranoid and Master of Reality instead of this as I have always considered them the best two Sabbath albums and still do even after giving this album a listen in memory of Ozzy. It’s odd how Ozzy has gripped the Nation’s and even half the world’s attention as he was far from a good role model. But he had a great and one of the most distinctive rock voices and this will be his legacy. He ended up being a national treasure and will always be so. Would be crass to criticise this album on this day. Suffice to say I listened today with a smile on my face and if any album does that it deserves 5 stars. 5/5 23/7/25
What a surreal coincidence—spinning Black Sabbath’s self-titled debut just a day after Ozzy Osbourne’s passing. RIP to a true icon. I’m not usually drawn to heavy metal, but I’ve always appreciated Sabbath’s influence. Listening to this album, it’s easy to see why it's often credited as the birth of heavy metal. In 1970, this was the heaviest, darkest sound the world had heard—and it still hits hard today. Tony Iommi’s guitar work is especially striking. The riff on The Wizard is phenomenal—bluesy, menacing, and brimming with attitude. Favourite tracks: N.I.B. and The Wizard—both absolute standouts. Least favourite: Honestly, there isn’t a weak track here. Album artwork: Haunting, eerie, and perfectly aligned with the music’s ominous tone—I love it
So great. Love those first four albums so much. What a legend Ozzy was!
7-24-25 date of rating. Not sure if it was coincidence or not but Ozzy died 7-22-25. I gave vol. 4 a five star but I don’t feel this album is it’s equal but this album is still great. Probably honestly maybe a very solid 4/4.5 but for the Dark Prince.
The title track gives me chills. The imagery Ozzy is able to evoke is unlike no other. Rest in peace to a legend and the godfather of metal. Special should out to Tony lommi and Bill Ward. The lead guitar and drums on this album are fantastic.
The start of a genre. An utter masterpiece. RIP Ozzy, rest well the eternal Prince of Darkness
classic album r I p Ozzie
Ozzy wailing "Oh no, no, please, God, help me" brought an entire genre into being. Taking the blues rock power trio formula of the 60s UK bands and slowing it down, sludging it up, deepening the riffs, magnifying the latent sense of the menace and terror, Black Sabbath create an incredible feeling of ominous doom, of bleak despair, and black magic, capturing the folk horror affect flittering around the margins of late industrial civilzation. Ozzy and Tony Iommi get a lot of recognition, but listenting to this I'm struck by the power of Geezer Butler (who has to be in the bass pantheon with John Entwhistle, Jack Bruce, and John Paul Jones) - just pure thunder coming off his fingers as these basslines rumble down.
One time, in an attempt to curb his excesses, Sharon bought Ozzy some chickens to look after. Perhaps unsurprisingly Ozzy soon tired of this and decided to get rid of them the best way he could. That way was to set fire to the coop, and then as the flaming chickens attempted to escape he stabbed them with a samurai sword. His neighbour at the time spotted the legendary Prince of Darkness standing in a flaming wreck, samurai sword in hand and surrounded by the corpses of smouldering chickens, and delivered perhaps the most British line ever: “Back from touring I see, John. Unwinding, are we?” 666 out of 13 - would stab flaming chickens with a sword again.
RIP Ozzy
I think we've all been given these today because of Ozzy passing, and it does somewhat skew my opinion of it, but this is really great. I had to do a double bill with Paraonoid afterwards. Hard to believe they came out mere months apart.
Really really enjoyable and fun. Amazing guitar. ITS THE PRINCE OF FUKIN' DAKNESS
Gutta krutt med gutta krutt. På vei til å finne toppform. Vippes opp til øverste hylle pga NIB. 4,6/5
Quite an appropriate album given Ozzy's recent passing. Man, the roots of metal are STRONG here. Crunchy bass, killer riffs, occult themes, and non-stop rocking. This is required listening for all metal heads. The Wizard, NIB, Wicked World, Sleeping Village. Awesome tracks. You need this in your life today. My Rating: 5/5
First things first, RIP Ozzy. Absolutely wild coincidence that I just got this album. But second things second, this album is pretty damn good. You open with Black Sabbath, a fitting first track to the band’s discography, both humorously and thematically. I mean, the start to this track is spooky as hell. The bells and thunder really set the mood. And man what a mood it is. Since the beginning, Black Sabbath were masterclasses in crafting this bubbling tension and holding that tension for minutes on end. Yet there is payoff, and when it comes, it’s sweet. On many of their songs, you’ll find a slow, methodical, haunting melody that holds you in your chair for perhaps minutes before hell finally raises in the most epic guitar solo you’ll ever hear. And let’s talk about those solos. Obviously, they’re amazing. The riffs are on point. And the nonchalant noodling on tracks like Wicked World gives no wonder to how Black Sabbath was such a breakout success. This is not just a band that prides itself on talent instrumentally (though the drums, singing, guitar, and HOLY SHIT WHAT A BASS SOLO are spectacular) but also care for the medium. They were pushing the envelope since it started being used. They took the heavy noise that Led Zeppelin pioneered, as well as their excessive Tolkien references, and pushed it far beyond what anyone saw possible, at least for that period. You got these visceral screams from Ozzy that fill you with dread, multi-part songs that keep you engaged in a way only Black Sabbath can do, and overlapping guitar solos that have you questioning the limits of rock. It’s almost as if you step into the recording studio with Ozzy and the gang, seeing their genius at work and their aptitude for exceeding any and all expectations. Also one last note: that harmonica (I think) on The Wizard is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever heard. Might be the best usage of harmonica in any song ever. And so with that I’ll conclude. Though they really perfected their sound on later projects like Paranoid and Master of Reality, that doesn’t negate the fact that this record slams. It is the perfect debut for Black Sabbath and their long reign of metal prowess. May their legacy never pass. RIP Ozzy miss ya already.
Hell yes… I think this is my fav from them and of course it hit hard as hell today!! RIP!
new revelation just dropped: maybe black sabbath is my fav band...
#651. A pretty fantastic debut album. And not just a beginning for them, but also for a genre that I still spend the bulk of my time listening to. This album isn't particularly short, but it ends with you wanting more. It could easily have been 2 or 3 times longer without any complaints from me. 5/5: perfect.
Great album. Enjoyed every second of it. RIP prince of darkness.
Absolutely epic.
Rest in peace the king of darkness. What's there to say that hasn't been said? This early album was extremely formative of not only Black Sabbath and Ozzy's career but the trajectory of the genre as a whole. The impression left will be forever felt and I cannot express enough how deeply he'll be missed.
It’s super tough to review this album the day after Ozzy’s death without getting all sentimental. Honestly, I’d never heard a full Black Sabbath album before, just their iconic songs, and I dug it so much. The first track (kind of like Black Sabbath³) sets up a whole atmosphere so slow it’d have TikTok kids skipping ahead before anything else. This is one of those records I’ll replay again and again, and I feel awful I didn’t get to it sooner.
Whose been in my room And taken my beers From my room Rip
"Big black shape with eyes of fire, tellin' people their desire. Satan's sittin' there, he's smilin', watches those flames get higher and higher. Oh, no, no, please, God, help me." USA 2025 Listened to B4? Yes Tracks Already Saved on Spotify: All Standout Tracks: Black Sabbath, The Wizard, N.I.B. (91/100)
NEVER SAY DIE!
Wow. Fitting today since Ozzy died yesterday (RIP). First album from them also one of their best. Terrific.
This album changed my world. My pop bought it for me on cassette tape in 1996 after he took me to see the movie Heavy Metal. Never heard anything like this before and it blew my mind. Every band I was in high school covered Sabbath songs after that. This album is absolutely perfect.
I mean, the album that kicked off a legendary run
The fucking bomb. The album that started a legend.
No podía ser otro día el que pongan black Sabbath 🥹. Por desgracia ninguno de sus álbumes es mejor que paranoid pero como álbum debut está top. Ole ellos por sacar un álbum con 6 minutos por canción de media N.I.B guitarraza constante, warning igual tremendos solos
RIP 🤘
Perfect album
The album that started it all. The gods of metal terrified the world with perfection
Easiest 5 star of my life
it has my favorite Sabbath of all time on it plus it's ground zero and doesn't have a bad song on it
5 starts for ozzy
perfeição né
How is this a DEBUT from *1970*? It holds up so incredibly well! There's less songwriting variety than later albums, and yet I could listen to this one over and over again. Constant transitions between parts and variations in the grooves keep the music fresh and moving. Also, you know, fat fucking riffs. RIP Ozzy. Standouts: Black Sabbath • Bassically • N.I.B. • Wicked World • A Bit Of Finger
One of the best albums of all time from one of the best bands of all time. I can only imagine what it must have been like to hear that opening riff in 1970. Legendary!
Härligt att uppfinna en hel genre och fortfarande vara bäst
Där allt började. <3 Detta är dock inte ett helt solklart maxbetyg då albumet inte är mitt favoritalbum med dem, men med tre toppenlåtar och en hög lägstanivå så får jag ändå runda uppåt!
Definitivamente um dos meus discos favoritos da década de 1970. Isso vindo de alguém que nem é fã de Metal. Mas não há nada pra criticar neste disco, do começo ao fim. Ele é verdadeiramente impecavel, e pra mim, o melhor trabalho da banda. Eu acho fantástico que este LP tenha sido gravado em um único dia, como a banda costuma relatar. Esse tipo de criatividade espontânea transparece claramente nas faixas. Os riffs são antêmicos, os breakdowns são inigualáveis. Os vocais de Ozzy, Deus o tenha, são incomparáveis. É magnânima a energia vital das canções daqui. Acredito que todo mundo lembra onde estava a primeira vez que ouviu a faixa titular, Black Sabbath. Esta canção conta uma história verdadeiramente horripilante, e possui uma aura tenebrosa que causa verdadeiro horror. A primeira vez que eu a ouvi, eu estava na casa de um primo, era noite, e eu estava na faixa dos 9 anos de idade. Como esquecer? Eu nunca tinha ouvido nada como aquilo na vida. O som envelopava a minha mente juvenil. O hi-fi do meu primo não era pouca coisa – ele era músico – então o primeiro lick foi um legítimo susto, eu pulei no momento. Depois me sentei no tapete macio e viajei naquilo. Hoje, viajei novamente ouvindo tudo de novo. A vida é realmente linda. Hoje, minha faixa favorita é N.I.B. Acredito que ela evidencia um aspecto que eu amo da era Ozzy do Black Sabbath. Os primeiros álbuns da banda possuem um aspecto esfumaçado em sua produção. Não sei explicar muito bem em termos técnicos, mas gosto de pensar que eles foram gravados dentro de uma bota. A fidelidade realmente não está lá, e quer saber, eu gosto assim. Não consigo imaginar essas canções de outra maneira. As faixas têm cheiro de cigarro e gosto de uísque, não podia ser de outro jeito. A voz do Ozzy é distante mas seus suplícios são sentidos internamente. A qualidade sonora atravessa o meio que foi gravado. Transcende, devo dizer. Defeitos? Nenhum. Nenhum mesmo. É um disco impecável, como eu havia dito. Acredito que no mundo existem cerca de 12 álbuns realmente perfeitos, e este é um deles. Obrigado a todos que leram. Tenham um ótimo dia e uma ótima vida. Your love for me has just got to be real. 5/5
RIP obviously. Great debut, a lot more zeppelin adjacent than I remember it being the first time I listened to it. Black Sabbath the song is so eerie I can’t imagine hearing something like that historically for the first time. The next two tracks (or 6?) are very zeppelin blues rock. NIB is a highlight of that four song medley, so solid, the tone is so crunchy. Dare I say there’s a lot of Hendrix on the next song, wicked world. Last song is too long but Iomi is so good that it’s fine. Biased 5/5 but it’s so good.
Must've been literal devil music for most people when it came out in 1970 (one year after 1969 which is insane). It also means that most people that were probably exposed to this were born in the 40s and 50s. Crazy. Anyway, this album is packed with great guitar tone, drum licks, breakdowns, and creepy Ozzy lyrics. Perfect debut to launch the heavy metal scene. Also, the solo drum kit fading out on Behind the Wall of Sleep to end the song is so cool. Wicked World is also an amazing track that I wasn't familiar with. Easy 5
What more to say that hasn’t already? Such a great debut, in and out in less than 40 minutes and created a whole ecosystem of music. Start of a crazy 4 album run where they evolved so fast. RIP Ozzy 5/5
The best
Defined a genre
RIP to the prince. Interesting choice if this is the only Sabbath on here
Gets a 5 for having the first ever metal song on it alone and starting this ridiculous genre
Banging album, Ozzy is a serious loss
Still as fresh now as it was then. incredible album.
The Prince of Darkness will never be surpassed. Rest in peace.
Well Ozzy maybe in Heaven and in Hell but I think he rules both places. Have some rest giant and please let peace the cats.
Beyond Epic.
Fantastic debut album. Created a new genre.
RIP Ozzy, the Prince of Darkness. He’s biting heads off bats at that great gig in the sky. Also, what an album. NIB and The Wizard kick just as much ass today as they did when I was in high school.
4.5
Ozzy died yesterday but that has nothing to do with giving this 5 stars. this is the dawn of metal and this album honestly might still be the high point for the genre, just incredibly haunting stuff
This came on my list the day after the Oz man passed! RIP to the Prince of Darkness. He literally changed the game!
4.6 - Deffo joining led zep as bands I should have listened to more
one of the greatest debut albums ever and one of the foundational albums of metal. they changed the world of music and that is undeniable. highlights: “black sabbath” “the wizard” “n.i.b.”
Helluva debut, boys
Wore the grooves off this album in my youth. Fun stuff.
So sick. RIP Ozzy.
klasik
It's very on the nose that they post the day after Ozzy died, which is probably coloring my reaction, but this is just terrific. I've always enjoyed the first three Sabbath albums a great deal, the riffs are just undeniable and it isn't like a lot of the later stuff (esp. Dio-era) that feels like a parody. RIP to the Prince of Darkness
Listened on the day Ozzy died but of course Sabbath were much more than just Ozzy Osbourne. The playing of Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler is astounding. Worth 5 stars for the opening track alone. That flat 5th on the opening track still dramatic and iconic. What must people have thought in 1970? Not a weak track on this album. Recorded live in 12 hrs and finished in time to get to the pub!!
I like Paranoid better, but this is great/love NIB
My favourite Sabbath album. For the longest time I just thought it was decent but at some point it just clicked and I've loved it since Everyone is on point here. Cool chunky riffs from Tony, frantic and busy drumming from Bill, creative basslines that don't just follow the guitars from Geezer. Ozzy gives such a sinister performance on the title track, probably one of his best ever Despite knocking blues consistently throughout the generator, there's definitely traces of the values throughout this album. But I think they manage to keep it interesting, it feels planned out and not totally random (I suppose that goes against the ethos of jamming but that's how it comes across to me). Sleeping Village and Warning are quite jammy but I don't get bored of them and they never feel repetitive. Especially the latter half of Warning, but I think that's just the magic of Tony Iommi Easy 5 stars, no hesitation. RIP Ozzy Highlights: Literally all of them but I'll pick Black Sabbath for my playlist
RIP Ozzy 🖤
Great debut
recommendation for this album came one day after Ozzy left the stage forever... Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath The album that paved the way for heavy metal. Nothing more to say
Ozzy just passed yesterday before I listened to this album. I have no idea how the hell Black Sabbath managed to make this album in 1970. The title track is nothing but pure metal at its finest. What's not to love about "Self Titled"? May the Prince of Darkness rest in peace. 5 stars for "Self Titled.
The first Black Sabbath album.What a great journey! RIP Ozzy
One of the few albums where you can be listening to the song Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath on Black Sabbath.
Fuck you. This is so good.
Wow. what are the coincidences. RIP Ozzy! The first song on their debut album is so haunting it gets in your head. 5-stars. the birth of heavy metal
Well - I was going to be listening to Black Sabbath today as a tribute to Ozzie. We just got the news yesterday, 7/22/25, that Ozzie had passed away, just a few weeks after his last concert, "Back to the Beginning." It was the band's first performance since their 2017 tour and was also the final live show before his death. RIP, Ozzie.
Completely changed the game and still sounds incredible.
Claramente esto no es una casualidad. Los algoritmos saben que ayer se fue Ozzy y me sugieren justamente hoy el primer disco de Black Sabbath. Nunca dejó de impactarme todo lo que rodeó a esta banda: ser fanáticos del terror, ensayar cerca de un cine donde pasaban películas de ése género y ver cómo la gente salía espantada, buscar generar las mismas sensaciones a través de su música, el accidente de Tommy Iommi en las falanges que lo obligaron a ponerse prótesis, adaptar su guitarra, presionar más fuerte el mango. Todo ello llevó a que abrieran las puertas del infierno con éste disco, iniciando un género y demostrando que siempre detrás de la corriente más luminosa, hay cosas bellamente oscuras detrás. Gracias por tanto.
It's Black Sabbath so I knew going it that it was going to kick-ass, and boy did it deliver! While I am most definitely familiar with their music, I had never actually listened to this full album. Glad to knock that one out of my blind spot - what a listen! ROCK IN PEACE OZZY \m/
RIP Ozzy. What a fucking legend
Like it is anything less than a 5?
Black Sabbath's beginning in to the world of rock and part of the introduction to metal. In my opinion, it still holds up quite well. Its artsy, dark, heavy, tight, and really dang good.
Fuckin love this intro holy shit. RIP Ozzy you were a legend that will live eternally. uhhh no brainer 5 stars. Not just cause he just died. Solid album! 1970, wow! I could see how this would be considered "heavy" for the times. Type shit!
Rip Ozzy. Yesterday a lot of people got a black Sabbath album because of it. I really liked it, absolutely trend setting album. It felt a bit long towards the end though. Such a strong opening though. Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars, but since Ozzy just died and because of the influence it gets rounded to 5. Their later albums are just a bit better I think though
5 stars is not enough.
Muy bueno! salvo el tema de 10 minutos....muy pocas canciones de musica popular merecen durar tanto.
RIP Ozzy. One of my favorite albums of all time. It marks the birth of the heavy metal sound. Incredibly creative and unique in its sound, coming on the heels of early Led Zeppelin and the late 60s sounds they followed. Classic heavy riffs and Tony Iomi solos (often overdubbed to play his own counterpoint) abound! The rhythm section is tight and drives the sound, not to mention some cool solos, riffs, and fills from Geezer Butler. Ozzy's vocals are a perfect match for the dark subject matter. My father, still feeling the good vibes from Woodstock when it came out, said that this band and album marked the end of good music. He really should give it another chance.
Knew a lot of their stuff, but never really sat down to listen to their debut album in whole. Definitely understand why they are considered legends.
Nice. Listening one day after Ozzy died and I agree he was a musical hero, awful person though.
Opens with wonderful ambiance. Gives a feeling of being in the church yard on the cover listening to the bells in the background. first song slowly building, emotional. Heavy muff distortion used throughout.
The origins of metal music! Yay!
It feels appropriate that I get this album on the day the world loses Ozzy Osbourne. Taking it back to the start of the legend, and the birth of Heavy Metal, this album is a must listen. A dark, powerful sound blending in some blues infused rock. Excellent from start to finish.
ya ma escuche
Magical, doom, Heavy Metal
Liked this wayyyyyyy more than I though I would!!
Fundamental album, love it.
The entire genre of doom metal began with this album yet no called it that. Amazing album, way ahead of its time.
Rocking album, one of the greats
Classic
This album changed my life! The first 3 notes of “Black Sabbath” made me realize that music can evoke emotion, and a half step one way or the other can change the mood entirely. “The Wizard” is a master class in riff writing from Iommi, and Ozzy’s voice is haunting throughout… amazing!
Pretty diverse and musically interesting album. The mix in the 70's was great.
Beginning of an era. Doomy sounding from the get go, bass up front in the mix and frantic with, of course, Ozzys voice and storytelling. Saying that still splashes and overtones from the psychedelic 60s.
One of the greatest debut albums of all time! Not a bad song on it. And “The Wizard” is easily a top 20 all time song by any group! Ever! RIP Ozzy!
Ozzy died yesterday and I had a feeling that one of the Black Sabbath albums would pop up this morning. I don’t need to listen to it to know that I love it. 5/5. But I’m going to listen to it happily. The music is great, the album cover is awesome and the lore behind how they recorded it is fantastic. I can’t imagine being alive in 1970 and hearing this for the first time, it was unlike anything else and it still holds up. RIP, Ozzy. Thanks for everything.
Stone Cold Classic.
Was it some divine intervention that gave me Black Sabbath the morning after the news broke that Ozzy Osbourne had passed away? Being a fellow Brummie, Ozzy & Black Sabbath have always been a big part of my music journey. This album is only 8 songs long which feels correct, people got a bit track happy when albums went onto CD format, no filler needed on a vinyl. The guitar riff at the end of Black Sabbath is just 👌🏼 The Wizard, a song about a wizard going for a walk, sure why not, they are from the city that bought you Lord of the Rings, and that guitar is impeccable. Ozzy’s voice is the perfect match to the guitar and I can only imagine what it would have been like to have heard this for the first time in 1970 after having never hearing the likes of heaviness before. My first five star ⭐️
Seminal album and should be on everyone's listeb to list, a masterpiece on vinyl
10/10 one of the best album ever made
Long live OZZY!
rip ozzy, de aca nace historia
Heavy metal with blues riffs and harmonicas? Sign me up. Interesting to know the story and hear the origins of heavy metal in this album. Sort of strange to go from a pure doom metal song (the first ever!) to blues heavy tracks but I loved it. Glad I listened to the origin album now.
legendary
Oh boy, I wonder if this came because of Ozzy's death or if it was truly a coincidence. Either way, how timely. I can not overstate how much Black Sabbath means to me. Paranoid was the first CD i ever bought (i had some cassettes at the time but the CDs were my real first foray into music I liked) I wore that Disc out and eventually got them all. The first track on this album absolutely sets the tone for not only this album, but for the band as a whole. I cannot imagine hearing this in 1970 as all of the hippy-drippy flower-power music was dominating the airwaves. Just pure sludge and horror. Satan coming around the bend? No, that was just Ozzy Osbourne! And then The Wizard follows next. What a riff! It doesn't matter what comes next, this is a 5 star album from just these two songs. My goodness. Heavy metal was born. Track 3 is a medley of sorts, that eventually makes it way to N.I.B. Another instant classic. Iconic riff, a dark love song. Just brilliant. Tony Iommi really shows off in this one both with that iconic riff and with the incredible solo. The last two tracks keep up with heavy riffs, pounding drums and haunting vocals. Black Sabbath was born
It’s fkn sabbath people, get it!
Yeah
Heck yeah
10/10. What an album. You can really hear their blues notes coming through as they lay the foundations for a whole new genre. This is not a 10/10 metal album, it’s a 10/10 generational album that paved the way for so much more. Rest in peace Ozzy 🖤
This might as well be a greatest hits record ffs. And Ozzy was just a wee baby when they recorded this.
Writing this on the heels of Ozzy Osbourne's passing feels somewhat apropros. The debut album of one of the most influential bands in music history was not received well by critics, but it quickly shot up the charts reaching number 8 in the UK and number 23 in the US. This album was recorded in one day at the end of 1969 and released in the UK fittingly on Friday the 13th of February 1970. Driven by Tony Iommi's unique playing style that was forged out of an industrial accident where he lost two of his fingertips at the age of 17, working in a sheet metal shop. Iommi created makeshift fingertips from a dishwashing detergent bottle and carried on, creating a sound that was heavier than pretty much anything anyone had ever heard. Everything about this record is dark. From the cover art to the the heavy, pounding guitar riffs, to Ozzy's shrieking vocals. This darkness gave the band an immediate reputation as Satanists, but in reality they were a bunch of good lads from Birmingham that liked a pint or two at the pub. The industrial landscape of Birmingham certainly seems to have shaped the heavy metal sound that Black Sabbath had created and they became pioneers in the genre. The band was active on and off for the better part of 50 years and would go on to create some of the most recognized Heavy Metal anthems. Rest in Power Ozzy! What a debut and what an ending to a crazy life! I'm glad he was able to tour one last time before his passing.
Awesome. Ground breaking to say the least
Listened to this album recently as part of my 2025 resolution to listen to at least one new album per week. Wrote the following note for it on my spreadsheet: "Fuck, yes!" Have previously listened to this album as a teenager---MANY MANY TIMES---an all-time favorite of mine and one of my favorite bands ever. Favorite Song: Black Sabbath
I have this on tape 😅. Love Ozzy. R.I.P 😪
Wow
The first several Sabbath albums are untouchable.
5/5
I never gave this album, or this entire genre, proper attention when I was younger. Metalheads and stoners were bad kids. Losers. Christ how wrong I was. What a magnificent album. Bluesy, funky, musically complex and intricate as hell. Every instrument is great. The vocals are wild and charismatic. The fact that four working class blokes from Birmingham without much going for them could just invent a whole genre of music because the idea of horror-influenced rock amused them and then record this masterpiece in 12 hours is totally mindblowing. The world really can change in an instant.
Best Sabbath I've heard. Gritty, gloomy, original. RIP OZZY (today's the day after he passed) 5/5
Amazing
This album had a huge impact in my youth, i got it imported on vynil Love this one
I don’t know if generator is linked to any news outlets. It seems coincidental that Black Sabbath’s debut album would pop up a day after Ozzy’s death. This is an amazing album. I liked how the Blues and heavy guitars combined to create a sonic masterpiece.
RPI Oz
Well, after getting Smile after Brian Wilson’s death, I now know this site does tribute albums. Or I have the weirdest luck in the world. It’s bittersweet to get this album now, but here we are. The birthplace of heavy metal. I feel that if I were to nitpick, the way the tracks are organized for the US version are weird. Like how two of the tracks are just some singles pasted together into one long song. It makes it hard to tell what song is what. But that’s really the only fault. Everything else is iconic, from the creeping as hell album cover, to Tony Iommi’s legendary riffs, to Ozzy’s iconic vocals. It’s insane that they would only go up from here throughout the 70’s, pissing off everyone’s parents in droves. There wasn’t anything like it back then and there will be nothing like it ever again. It all started on one day, February 13, 1970, and still rocks to this day. And while Black Sabbath is a band that consists of four brilliant musicians, obviously it would be nothing without its main singer. I try not to date these reviews, but this death is a rare one that got to me. R.I.P. Ozzy Osbourne. You will be missed. Thank god you got to perform with the band one last time. Favorite track: Black Sabbath Other hits: the rest of the album
Birth of heavy metal! Distinctive sound, still feels fresh... Favorite track: Black Sabbath other picks: Wizard, Wasp/NIB, wicked world
God bless Ozzy Osbourne
RIP Ozzy. Great, great album. Probably the first heavy metal album.
Heavy. So heavy. Could I say more? Sure. Do I need to? No.
Not surprised to be getting this one the day after Ozzy died. But let’s face it this was always getting 5 stars.
Discardo discardisimo
Jao, baš je teško ovo slušati danas 🥺 legendaran album, legendaran čovjek, nema se što više reći. Emotiva će prebaciti ovo na 5/5, 9/10. RIP Priče Tame 🖤🌈
recommending this to me 2 days after ozzy passed away, RIP
I mean it's the first Sabbath album. It's the best. Instead of a review, I will write my assorted Ozzy/Sabbath stories. - I watched a VH1 documentary which told the story of Bill Ward writing the lyrics to Black Sabbath about a sleep paralysis type episode where he was visited by a "figure in black". I listened to the song alone in my room that night and I was very scared indeed. - I saw Ozzy at the San Jose Sharks arena when I was probably 14 (Gus G was the guitar player then). My mom bought me two tickets but I was a lonely teen and had no one to go with, so I had two seats to myself. Ozzy had a giant hose that shot foam all over the crowd and security guards. He really seemed to be having a blast up there. - I saw Sabbath play the Shoreline Amphitheater (full lineup minus Bill Ward) around 2012. At the start of their set, my mom texted me that our dog Jack was very sick and that she was taking him to the doggy ER. I spent the first half of the show super stoned and wondering if my dog was going to die. Eventually she texted me that Jack had eaten and edible wrapper and had "all the signs of marijuana toxicity". He was fine, and the Sabbath show was A+. Most impressively, they really sounded like Black Sabbath. When I saw Metallica l, everything from their guitar sound to Hetfield's voice sounded totally different from the records I knew. They rocked, but I didn't feel like I was seeing Metallica. Black Sabbath sounded exactly like Black Sabbath. - In college I spent a while getting Toni into heavy music. This was the album that finally made it click for her. Ozzy dying feels a lot like the Queen dying. He was just always around, being a strange and comforting presence in my life. Now he's gone, and an important piece of my culture dies with him. Album cover: A (Scary Mona Lisa)
We are listening to "Black Sabbath" in the wake of Ozzy's death. His death has made gigantic waves globally, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't surprised by how big of a moment it is. His final concert was a week ago, and it was a legendary event, but I didn't hear about it until after his death. I had also forgotten until now that he was the original 'Keeping up with the Kardashians" on MTV. I was never a huge Ozzy fan growing up, but that isn't because I didn't like his music, it's because the various older brothers who instructed me in the ways of metal weren't Black Sabbath fans. I've never listened to this album, but listened to "Paranoid" frequently in a certain period of my life. "Black Sabbath" was sick. When the guitars come in around ~4:40, that gives me some chills. They were quite good at that 'now the guitars are here' type of moment. Ozzy's vocals are awesome. I was not expecting harmonica. The intro to "The Wizard" is so sweet. Some elements of "Wasp..." are like "Ironman" but slower. It's funny to see some of the guitar ideas transplanted and done differently on their later work. 'My Name is Lucifer, please take my hand' is a nicely delivered line. I see why the metalheads had to hide their records from their parents. The guitar on "N.I.B" is shredding. The guitar on "Wicked World" was awesome. The bass came in hot on "A Bit of Finger...". The bass has continued hotly in "Sleeping Village". This song feels like they just wanted to shred a little more before the album came to a close, and yes sir they did shred. I'm 31 and it's kind of making me want to play guitar. This album is a lot proggier than I thought it would be. It has more instruments than I expected, the songs are long, and they sing about wizards. I can see why this made waves I can see why they took off. Their music is simultaneously totally from the 70s, but also so different from their big-name contemporaries like Pink Floyd, The Eagles, Led Zep. 9/10
RIP Ozzy. I happened to listen to this album today and didn't mind at all to have to listen to it again. Definitely a very influential album in the development of heavy metal, although only a couple of songs here would only be considered metal/hard rock. But it pointed the way to a darker vibe of rock music that would inspire generations of bands later. Title track gave me goosebumps the first time I listened to it. It's minimalistic, doomy, and heavy. So good!
First heard this album at a friend’s when it came out. It was something I’d never heard before and was hooked
5 stars for the legend
OZZY FOREVER
If you don't like Black Sabbath, go fuck yourself.
Can you imagine putting the needle on that record for the first time in 1970 and "Black Sabbath" by Black Sabbath comes in. Damn. The world would never be the same.
RIP Ozzy
MASTERPIECE! BEST OF THEM ALL!
A genuine classic. Defined a genre. The most important of the heavy rock bands to come out of post-Beatles England and their impact is still being felt now. It’s heavy blues with elements of jazz, more subtle and elemental than many would think.
Normally I prescribe to ‘it’s not who had it first, it’s who had it best’ but the songs are really good here too.
No me suele gustar demasiado el rock pero sorprendentemente me ha gustado mucho. Mis dieces jiji (soy fan de los solos de guitarra).
EN: With Ozzy's passing, listening to this felt like a real necessity, so I'm glad the random album generator got me to appreciate this amazing piece of art again. First of all, it's almost impossible to be as authentical as this album is. The shift from 1960's music to what Black Sabbath has done here is simply unbelievable - and even though the seeds had already been planted by other groups, one must admit that a completely new genre was created with it. The overall consistency of the music is also amazing, especially for a debut album. The almot 40 minute lenght definately helps it not drop the ball and solidifies the work. I don't think it is greater than some of the following albums, especially Paranoid, but it's not by too far, though. Ozzy's contribuition to music shall be forever remembered. PT-BR Com a morte do Ozzy, ouvir esse álbum pareceu uma necessidade real, então fico feliz que o gerador aleatório de álbuns me fez apreciar essa incrível obra de arte novamente. Em primeiro lugar, é quase impossível ser tão autêntico quanto este álbum. A mudança da música dos anos 1960 para o que o Black Sabbath fez aqui é simplesmente inacreditável - e mesmo que as sementes já tivessem sido plantadas por outros grupos, é preciso admitir que um gênero completamente novo foi criado aqui. A consistência geral da música também é incrível, especialmente para um álbum de estreia. A duração de quase 40 minutos definitivamente ajuda a não deixar a peteca cair e solidifica a obra. Não acho que seja maior do que alguns dos álbuns seguintes, especialmente Paranoid, mas não é por muito! A contribuição do Ozzy para a música será lembrada para sempre. 8,75
This album created an entire genre. I’ve loved it since the first time I put my mom’s original lp on the record player. Could listen to it every day for the rest of my life and never get tired of it.
RIP OZZY 🙏 I like to believe the reason we got this album was divine providence. This is somehow better than Paranoid- it is SO GOOD for a debut album. They are the first people ever to make music sound EVIL! It’s awesome. 5 stars.
Legendäres Album
This was released five years before we were born. Crazy. The transition from Black Sabbath to The Wizard is nuts. The blues influence is so front and center. This is an album that I wish I could experience for the first time back in the day when it was released. It must have been wild to hear this then.
Black Sabbath's self titled debut album is legendary. With it's gritty, heavy, rough sound it brought something entirely new to rock at the time, and defined what metal is today. The record contains what are still some of the best riffs played on a guitar. The lyrics may be a little edgy, but this is peak counterculture. I could only imagine finding this in a record shop when it released.
Well, Ozzy's time had to come eventually. My little metalhead brain was pretty sad about it, but what better lens to view the album that started my favorite genre through? The first track is the prototype for all doom metal to come, one done by countless bands in Sabbath's wake, and it's easy to see why so many saw fit to take influence from it. Ominous vocals, a good riff, and a strong buildup are really all the ingredients they need, and yet the bass and drums equally add to the atmosphere. The Wizard follows, and it's here that you remember just how strongly metal was influenced by the blues at its beginnings. Who wouldn't listen to metal if every song had a harmonica, right? Those two are my highlights, but I don't think there's much more I need to add. This album is the single biggest reason most of my favorite music exists. What more reason could a man need to give an album a 5?
Metal af before metal was a thing. Givin' it a 5 cuz Ozzy Died.
🤘😭🤘 One riff started both heavy metal and doom rock. I'm not sure there is a more influential record out there in the history of music. That said, there are better Sabbath albums. But this is still 5 stars on history alone.
Solid debut. Can definitely hear their influence. Always loved “The Wizard.” I saw Magic Mike Marvin open his magic show, “Magshit,” with this song. Incredible. Like RATM, feels like a solid debut should get a 5 from me.
Fantastic stuff.
Keep your Beatles, your Stones, your Cream. Give me Sabbath any day of the week.
RIP the Prince of Darkness
Absolutely phenomenal. Every song has something about it and this album clearly changed the world of music!
Absolutely legendary. Wish I could have been there when they terrified the world with that opening track.
Easiest 5 star so far. While this is here for Ozzy, for me Iommi is what made Sabbath, followed by Geezer.
Imagine having the balls in the year 1970 to say “yeah our lead off self-titled track is going to be you being dragged down to Hell while crying out for God”. Even with the triple recordings, this album flows incredibly well. End to end it just fuckin rocks, every piece of the band sounds unified, and it’s no mystery how this set the standard for heavy metal.
With Ozzys death, yesterday, I was listening to this album in the morning. Of the run of thier self titled debut, Parinoid and Master of Reality, Black Sabbath cemented themselves as the standard others would build upon for the next 55 years. With the lens of the accolades following Ozzys death, it is easy to overlook Tony, Geezer and Bill, and they are all phenomenal. Sabbath is a band to be revisited and closely listen to!
Talk about sonic exploration, what a fucking album. Not a huge solo guy, but the way that they’re used throughout this album he’s pretty satisfying also for how much face whipping in court changes and dark chaos this album has I think my favorite part about Black Sabbath is the conversations are having with each other through their instruments they really mastered the art of letting it breathe. Each member gets a little spotlight on them like the lion King holding each other up to the sun more Sabbath, please.
Rest in Peace, Ozzy. A damn good vocalist who lived and went out like a legend. And this album is a hell of a good one. Even without the factor of Ozzy's death, this is a beautifully dark and atmospheric affair, and arguably the first ever metal album. It's a very well crafted sound, and Tony Iommi's guitar and compositions are memorable and sonically satisfying. For its place in history and for being awesome, it gets the 5 stars
Goodbye ozzy
I don't believe I've ever listened to Black Sabbath's debut album. The only song I recognized was "The Wizard," and it is very similar to later Sabbath material, which is, of course, great. What pleasantly surprised me is that the other music on here was more blues-inspired than their later music. RIP Ozzy
Last week was 'Paranoid' which I loved and now 4 days later Ozzie has passed. RIP Prince.
Kyllä toimii!
I appreciate the algo tweak to get this in now. Lots of opportunity for hyperbole here but for me in general this is just a generally epic album. Brand new genre, the tone is at the right level to not be either overly serious or silly on the more ‘doom metal’ tracks, with other really high quality songs as well. There’s so many tracks on this album (if not all of them) where you can absolutely trace the heritage of other albums and artists that followed back to the industrial wall of noise from brum. The bass, guitar, drums all play their part in allowing Ozzy to shine. My first instinct was a 4 but for the combination of great music, its outsized influence and the fact this is the first thing they even released I’m happy to pop my 5 cherry. Not even necessarily my favourite “Slack Babbath” album.
Okay, so it's definitely not *totally* random. I was skeptical after Brian Wilson but there's clearly some manipulation happening. I don't mind it though. RIP Ozzy. I loved Paranoid, and I hope to get into more of your work over time. The date on this is crazy early. [note after teeing this up: oh my, Paranoid is also crazy early. They did two albums that year? Respect.] I honestly was only aware of two Sabbath albums (and only familiar with Paranoid). So this should be fun. It feels like more should be written about the relationship between metal and non-mainstream music and genre literature: we've got Lovecraft and Tolkien here (and Tolkien is all over Led Zeppelin too; ironically I'm sure he hated both groups). But I'm not the person to write it. Anyway, a reminder that reading is always critical. Listening notes: -I admire the chutzpah to just go ham on the mildly corny doom/gloom mood. The slow high distortion that opens the album is cool -Interesting the way the songs are organized as sets of several songs. Weirdly similar to the way trad irish music works. -Wicked world is such cringe-worth writing that it damages the album just a little. But the music is still pretty solid -Second listen: title track slaps. I was interested for a little while, but the late build up and finish is such an incredible release. -The Wizard has an incredible start. I also just love the harmonica on the whole album so much. -Oh hell that bass solo is nuts. -Jaw harp at the opening of a bit of finger. They're just operating a such a high level. Review: I'm leaning towards a 5. There's a residual corniness here that I feel like should bother me more, but I think because it's such a full-throated embrace, it works where it might not for a more self-conscious act. This album just feels very genuine. I feel like I want to write more, but I think I'm pretty much spent on this one. It's really good. a tad corny, but always earnestly so. And just some wild stuff being done musically.
He really was the goat from the start, wasn't he.
Momma, he went home. RIP
Perfect album to celebrate the Prince of Darkness. One of the most important albums ever released and holds up very well. Even some harmonicas thrown in there. I don’t think it’s as perfect as Paranoid but still a classic
Great album! One of my all time favourites.
Rest in violence Ozzy. I was barely familiar with Black Sabbath before starting this project but I've really enjoyed both the albums that have come up here. Out of the list's metal albums so far, I think Black Sabbath takes both my #1 (Paranoid) and #2 (this one).
It's shocking how versatile Black Sabbath was. Sure the first track invented doom metal whatever I don't care. Some of the progressive and psychedelic grooves are next level awesome. Tony Iomi is the man and the riffs are all genius. I was suprised when this album kept getting better after the wizard.
How appropriate given Ozzy kicked the bucket yesterday. This is a masterful beginning to metal and it's not only easy to see how it evolved from here forward, but how it sprung from the more rock and blues oriented stuff of the sixties. There's even a harmonica in here, and it's not even that out of place. The lyrical themes are in between the prototypical metal satan/death/misery stuff and outright blues/love songs. It's a weird mashup but it all works. The real greatness of this album though is introducing the idea of the monster riff to metal/rock. Every track has one pervasive riff that isn't difficult to play but is just the very definition of heavy. Nobody was doing that before this, and few have done it this hard since. Could easily listen to the whole thing multiple times.
It's not often you can identify a single work where something definitively started. This is where heavy metal started.
My favorite Sabbath album, and arguably my favorite album ever made. Nothing like this existed before and it influenced over 50 years of music. This is a perfect album start to finish.
One of the most important debuts. Start of a great 4 album run that basically started a genre.
Et album som er så solidt at min 3 årig nu vil lære at spille mundharmonika som "ham den døde" på The Wizard. Et album så solidt at 2 piger på bagsædet ikke brokkede sig over musikken så længe de lange riff passager blev fyldt med fortællinger om hvem Ozzy var. Hvil i larm du mærkedes fyrste. 🖤
Vi der elsker tung og mørk musik skylder Black Sabbath uendeligt meget. Ikke det heavy’este metal der nogensinde er lavet, men det holder stadig 100%.
The birth of heavy metal. Thanx guys. Rock on, Ozzy. 5
No words. Just rock.
Black Sabbath were a band born out of sheer bloody mindedness with their unique sound being a combination of guitarist Tony Iommi’s adapted playing style after losing the tips of his fingers in an industrial accident and Ozzy Osborne’s doom laden vocals that were a perfect fit for songs about the occult. The album opens with wind, rain and an ominous tolling bell, before that famous tritone chord kicks in like something out a Hammer Horror movie, with a song inspired by a nightmare that bassist Geezer Butler had about waking up to see an ominous black figure pointing at him. Other songs take Tolkien and HP Lovecraft as inspirations, although we are now a long way from the hippy, dippy sixties. This is widely regarded as the first true heavy metal album (although Ozzy was reluctant to call it that), and it’s certainly one of the biggest influences on the metal scene as evidenced by the bands that contributed to Black Sabbath’s final show just a couple of weeks ago as well as the outpouring of love for Ozzy himself from fans and fellow artists. It was a fine way to bow out - rest in peace Ozzy!
This album is really something, with its heaviness, Iommi's riffs, the possessed voice of Ozzy... It is a foundational record and you can hear years of music to come in these 39 minutes.
I respect them and like them a lot and I would say it would be a 4 but in respect to Ozzy it will be 5
I know this list is “random” but when I get Sabbath the day after Ozzy dies it’s kinda hard to believe.
Fun fun fun
How many of these reviews today are going to start with R.I.P. Ozzy? Honestly this is such a good album and it holds up really well. Wow! such fuzz, many doom, much metal. This album and early Black Sabbath in general has influenced a lot of bands that I love and I can definitely hear it. It also always surprises me that Black Sabbath had such a stoner/psychedelic sound. Big fan.
listened to this totally coincidentally of knowing this was the selected album today to commemorate Ozzy. But of course, when it comes to Black Sabbath, Ozzy was a very important cog in a machine that arrived, accidentally and purposely, with a singular vision that birthed an entirely new world of rock music so many of us still cherish. So: viva Black Sabbath, viva Ozzy Osbourne, viva metal.
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