Reviews (page 8 of 17)
The album that started it all. The gods of metal terrified the world with perfection
Really wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did. A lot more bluesy and less heavy than I was thinking.
I went in fully expecting for this not to be jam. I found that the guitar playing was fantastic and Ozzys voice to be electrifying. Overall had a great time 4.3/5
RIP Ozzy.
This was solid. But like 3.5-3.75?
The description of the is album said that the influences of this were “horror films, the occult, and a bleak working-class upbringing in Aston, Birmingham”. I like that. I haven listened to much Black Sabbath but this was entertaining using headphones.
RIP Ozzy
RIP Ozzy! Not really my style, but there are some bangers on this, Warning for example
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
8/10 - big fan of this album, not quite as good as iron man, however still hits hard. RIP my goat
Nip is best tune on here. Enjoyed alot of the songs on here, lots of different types of genres and some interesting genre.
More nuanced than l thought it would be. Not bad but l won't be listening to it again l imagine
5 starts for ozzy
Enjoyed this more than I expected too.
RIP Ozzie
R.I.P Ozzie
A fine album. You can hear the influence they had far and wide. Apparently recorded in just 12 hours. In 12 hours these days they would still be miking the drums. Not as accomplished as it's follow up but an excellent debut and set the path for things to come.
perfeição né
God knows I have controversial takes on a lot of bluesy boomer rock, but this album straight up fucks hard no rubber. Loses a bit of steam towards the end as we shift into slightly more common blues territory, but the entire first half carries it and then some. The performances are great all round, the musicianship on show on this album is nothing short of excellent. And the originality in the songwriting can't be understated (at least when they aren't just bluesing it up). But the main focus here is the fucking riff master Tony Iommi absolutely tearing it up. I mean the riff to Black Sabbath alone would go on to spawn countless sub genres. RIP Ozzy you zionist nazi fuck. Favourites - Black Sabbath, The Wizard, Behind the Wall of Sleep, N.I.B.
Likely the most significant album we’ve yet received based purely on influence alone. The band’s popularity to this very day, 55 years later, is astounding, and it all began here. Crushes you straight away with the tritone; the riff that essentially created an entire genre on its own. Unbelievably, despite this, nowhere the band’s most culturally significant riff - but certainly one of the most influential and landscape-altering pieces laid to record. Not jut the riff, but the long, progressive nature of the song, an opening title track on the album having no chorus, sparse moody drums, and lyrics referencing nightmares, satan, and the occult. Just pure heavy fucking metal, simply could not have asked for a better start to the ‘first’ metal album. Following this, The Wizard is far more typical, however it’s harmonica driven lead give it an certainly sharp edge. It’s unique in that it’s rarely used henceforth by the band (or any metal band for that matter), and while I usually detest the instrument, I feel it’s played perfectly and slots straight into the song, in lieu of a second guitarist. N.I.B. is also a great track, showcasing Geezer’s talent for driving a song with filthy basslines that shy away from the typical walking basslines that were more popular in rock/pop music up to that point. And of course, Ozzy stands the band out from their contemporaries with his droning, muddled line deliveries, that again bring an edge previously missing in much if hard rock of the late 60s and early 70s. While he isn’t here, nor ever really was, the greatest vocalist, his voice was perfect for delivering moody, depressing lyrics over thumping blues and minor scale riffs. The covers on this album are good fun, but ultimately it’s at its best when droning along with Iommi and Butler’s original riffs with songs about the macabre and mystical, as opposed to standard rock love songs. Sabbath took what Zeppelin, Cream, Deep Purple, and even late career Beatles were doing, and distorted it up, and made it sound evil. And while this album is utterly iconic, it’s so close to being a five, but with 2 covers, and a slight lack of direction at times, coupled with occasional recording errors that highlight a greenness and lack of cohesion in the band’s playing while still in its infancy, a VERY strong 4 feels fair. I’m annoyed it took Ozzy dying to finally get some more metal. Hopefully we’ll see some more soon. Black Sabbath (10/10) The Wizard (9/10) Behind the Walls of Sleep (7/10) N.I.B. (9/10) Evil Woman, Don’t Play Your Games with Me (8/10) Sleeping Village (7/10) Warning (7/10) 8.1/10
🖤🖤🖤🖤
you’re the beer thief
It was okay I guess. I was sort of expecting to like it more than I did. Maybe my expectations were too high
I like when they go doom metal mode but not too into the bluesy stuff sorry gang RIP ozzy you loved trying to choke your wife to death i know you are looking up at us rn, hard to believe this came out before Led Zeppelin IV lol Fav song: Black Sabbath
Solid 70s metal/rock album. RIP the prince of darkness.
Amazing record. Loved the blues influence in "Warning". The performances were great. The lyricism was good, too. Rest in Peace, Ozzy. Favourite Track(s): N.I.B., Warning, Behind the Wall of Sleep Least Favourite Track(s): Evil Woman
This one has some pretty cool pieces that stick out to me. Nothing I'd listen to on the regular, unfortunately, but I can tell it's good stuff (and of course, very influential)
I know I'm not much of a metal fan, so that definitely covers my review a bit here. But - and I mean this with no disrespect to the late Ozzy - his delivery on a lot of these tracks detracted from a lot of these for me. This is insanely groundbreaking for 1970, which is why I'm still giving it a point, but it's nothing more than that to me :(
Great stuff! These guys were heavier than just about anyone at that time - if the entire album were as heavy as the title track, this easily could've been a 5.
This is not as great as their other stuff, but obviously influential and still good overall. I can only imagine what people in 1970 must have thought upon hearing that first track. RIP Ozzy
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
Their most solid offering to me. Doom and gloomy in a way their later stuff is not, I wish they had leaned into the spooky stuff more instead of becoming what I feel was a more generic band over time.
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!
Tungt och viktigt
If I had to personally give an opinion, then this would be much closer if not THE beginning of Heavy Metal instead of Vincebus Eruptum by Blue Cheer. And in terms of execution, it is quite strong for it's time even if some of the classics of the future to come definitely surpass it. As such, this album will receive a strong 3.5/5 which will be bumped to 4.
Pretty sick to hear one of the first doom metal songs off the bat which is completely contrasted when the second song kicks off with a harmonica. Black Sabbath and NIB are the highlights. Ground breaking record that stands up pretty well. 3.5/5. Raising to 4.
I actually hadn't listened to this album before, tho I recognized a couple tracks. I really enjoyed this. The tracks weren't overly complicated but we're catchy, had great tone and composition. RIP to one of the greats.
RIP ozzy 🤘
In retrospect it's quaint that such a foundational heavy metal album would involve this much harmonica. RIP ozzy
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
Just doesn’t do it for me. RIP
I feel the pull of Satan! Seriously, fun debut album, always appreciate Sabbath's riff-driven rock, and Ozzy's voice is so unique.
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
rest in peace ozzy :(
Kings of darkness🤘🎸
You already know it’s gotta be a 5. My favourite Sabbath album Edit Apr 22 2026: 5 --> 4
The dawn of heavy metal, and it is indeed heavy. This isn't the shiny hairband metal of the 80s but the deep, dark, and *somewhat* bluesy metal of the late 60s (released early 1970). The songs provide riffs that invite you right into the darkness, the original Hotel California trap. There is remarkable musicianship all around. As someone who thought he outgrew heavy metal, I have to give credit where it's due: there's enduring quality here. And they invented a whole new genre while they were at it. A lot more respect than I expected to feel.
R.I.P. Ozzy! Although it feels odd to say it based on his commercial and artistic relationship with the occult. Still, considering all of his contributions to music, I do hope he finds real peace and eternal rest.
Defined a genre
3.5 stars
I've never been much of a Sabbath or Ozzy fan, but they were definitely pioneers of a genre.
I mean yeah this is the first heavy metal album which is pretty quirky but I do like how much other stuff they’ve packed into this album, it’s so so much interesting instrumentation and that’s pretty neat
One of those albums that starts slow, but by the end, they hit it so well. Rip Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness.
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.
This one means a lot to me. I have always loved Sabbath, and I feel a bit emotional writing this. I never got to see them live, and I still feel a bit gutted about missing the Back to the Beginning shows. I did see Ozzy perform solo at Download, and he played a few Sabbath songs, which was a real highlight. Ozzy might not be the most skilled singer from a technical point of view, but that does not take away from what he achieved. His voice, his stage presence, and the way he carried himself all made a huge impact. He helped turn rock music into something darker and heavier. With some styles of music, it is hard to tell where it all began. That is not the case with metal. It started here. This album took the psychedelic rock sound of the sixties and turned it into something slower, heavier, and more threatening. You can hear the roots of metal in every riff. Beyond the music, Ozzy became a cultural icon. He challenged more traditional ideas of behaviour and appearance. People remember the music, but they also remember the way he looked, the way he acted, and the way he lived. Death to all but metal, hail satan, rest in evil prince of darkness.
RIP ozzy
So, I hadn't heard of this album in full. Only NIB one time ages ago, this slaps, but also has space for growth. 4/5 RIP Ozzy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkcRxCUZWB0
The Prince of Darkness will never be surpassed. Rest in peace.
Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath Pretty solid, interesting early metal album.
I am fucking gutted. I found out the news yesterday and honestly I shed a tear. Ozzy and Sabbath have been a constant in my life since I was a teenager. Metallica were the first metal band I ever heard but I can easily go months or even years without really listening to them. Sabbath were the first Metal band that I loved and in 25 years I’ve never stopped listening to them and I can’t imagine I ever will. Onto the album, it’s one of the great debuts of all time and definitely one of the most influential albums ever made. This was the first album of theirs that I owned and I was instantly hooked. Top Track - Black Sabbath R.I.P Ozzy 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
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.
A genre defining album! I was never into the early metal but this album is solid start to finish.
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.
Legendary.
3.86
4.5
It seems when a singer dies, their album ends up on as my album of the day. RIP Ozzy. While I do like some of Ozzy’s solo material, Sabbath has never been my taste. I appreciate they are one of the OG of heavy metal, just not my cup of tea.
Got this on the day of the Prince of Darkness' death, so safe travels. Regardless, his image as the darkest and heaviest versus how tame and standard rock this sounds today will never be not funny to me. Liked it quite okay.
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
The title track is probably my favorite Black Sabbath song, I love how eerie and dark it is. And the "Oh god please help me" line just feels so desperate. Sadly, I don't think the rest of the album really holds up that well. I think it is the weakest of their first 4 albums, a lot of the songs are just too bluesy and a little cheesy. I am glad they stuck with the darker themes on their future work. That being said, this is still a really good album, and I also enjoy N.I.B. a lot. I also like The Wizard for what it is despite sounding more like a Led Zeppelin track. RIP Ozzy. High 4.
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
Pretty good, surprisingly so. I never really realised that Black Sabbath are closer to Led Zep than Metallica. 3.8/5
My third favorite Black Sabbath albums of the three I have heard. Still a solid album just a bit below the bar set by the other two. Also getting this the day after Ozzy’s passing, the game is rigged. 7/10
The influence in helping start a genre makes it worthwhile to be on the list alone. What a moody album cover, it's awesome for the sound and vibe being so unique.
Doesn't feel like this one came up randomly. Today is July 23rd 2025. Okay it didn't. Great album cover. The Wizard was one of the earliest things I learned on the harmonica. It's a solid song. More of a blues feel overall. Bonus inclusion of the jaw harp. Everyone is doing a great job. Love the run time. I just feel Paranoid is a tighter album.
3.9 2x solid album all the way through. the day after ozzie died, i get this album. hmm (confirmed it was a manual push to all users).
When a much younger me was a pre teen and getting into heavy music I remember reading about Ozzy Osbourne. He bit the head off a bat? Parents hated him? The Jesus Krispies were picketing his concerts? He was all the things a rebellious youth could ask for and I was all in. Diary of a Madman was one of the first cassettes I bought with my own money. Paranoid was the first song I learned to play on bass. Ozzy was the first concert I went to. I was lucky enough to see him in '84, '86, '89, '92, '04, twice in '05 and '06. Three of those shows were with the original Black Sabbath, bucket list gigs for me. I've loved this album and all the Sabbath albums as long as I can remember. Thanks for the damn good times Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill.
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
RIP Ozzy I guess you can say high to Lucifer for reals. Paranoid is the better album, this one's ok.
It’s not my kind of music, but so glad I listened. It’s ground breaking and first of its kind. Ozzy’s voice is like a haunted party
Wore the grooves off this album in my youth. Fun stuff.
So sick. RIP Ozzy.
klasik
not my taste
While not my typical kind of music, I did grow up with Ozzy Osborne and Black Sabbath was just before I would have started to listening to rock and metal. A good album, but just not my speed.
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
Bei allem Respekt vor Ozzy und der Bedeutung für das Genre... Nope. Kann ich mir nicht anhören.
This is my first full Black Sabbath album listen. I’m familiar with their hits, but not much else and wouldn’t say their music was my cup of tea. The musicianship on this album is incredible and Ozzy’s voice is otherworldly. I have a love-hate relationship with the lyrical content, which is why it wasn’t a five-star album for me.
Amazing how much better Paranoid (started 4 months later) is than this.
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 have heard and enjoyed another Black Sabbath album (Master of Reality), so I think I'll like this too. Also, I shoul mention that this album was originally generated the day after Ozzy Osbourne died, which was very bittersweet. I'm expecting some heavy instrumentals and theatrical vocals. The first song delivers exactly what I expected. An odd build-up that leads to an explosion of a pay-off. Great! Love the guitar on The Wizard. Good song overall. Third track explores the same things but in a less successful way. N.I.B. is genuinely a lot of fun. And again, the ending is the complete pay-off of everything that happens before. Evil Woman is fun too, even if it doesn't go anywhere after a while. Could have been better developed. Sleeping Village falls short of everything that's come before. Still fun though. I like the beginning of Warning, mostly because of the bass and drumming combo. The rest kind of loses me though, as I'm not the biggest guitar guy, and the rest of the song is centered mostly on that. Some cool rhythmic sections and a great chorus though. With Wicked World they end the album on a high note, with great performances all around - some focus on guitar, but not too much. I enjoyed this album. Its genre and the sounds it explores aren't necessarily my favourite thing, but they are well executed here. I do wish there could be more focus on the rhythm section, but then again that is always my favourite part of a band number. Loved the vocals too! Bye
Guitars were more bluesy than metal. Ozzy was featured, but he's not yet the Ozzy that became famous. Still a good album
Ok this cannot be a freaking coincidence. First Brian Wilson passes away and a Beach Boys album pops up. Now, Ozzy Osbourne passes away and a Black Sabbath album is up? This has to be on purpose. Not that I'm complaining. I am not a heavy metal fan per se but I do like some good rock and roll. I can appreciate why this album is such a banger.
Gewoon heel goed
Timely suggestion on yesterday's album. I've listened to this before, I like it a lot but not my favourite of their albums. Still really impressive for the era it released, plus the band still remains pretty unique.
4/8
Less provocative (especially sound wise) than I expected. 2.5, rounded up
Iconic. Classic. Almost impossible to truly judge based on how influential it was.
Great Album I love Toni Iomis riffs and Ozzys voice is bang on. It has stoofd the test of time and gives its own dark edge to Rock. A real classic album that everyone should listen too at least once. R.I.P the prince of Darkness Ozzy a true showman on and off the stage.
Getting this a day after Ozzy dies is wild. Or perhaps we all were assigned this? Who's to say.
I listened to this album like 5 times trying to have thoughts lol. I think the problem was the first half was so lackluster. But wow those last three tracks are solid. Vocals not a fave, but some really nice instrumental bits. So, I think that means a 4. Unfortunately this is also one of those albums that I would have loved at the time released but now can't listen to it without thinking of all the albums released since then that I'd rather be listening to now.
Classic 🤘 RIP Ozzy
I like Paranoid better, but this is great/love NIB
Gotta give it at least a 4 star for style points and just overall iconic sounds. Ozzy was a master at his craft, will never be another artist like him.
It was alright. Rip Ozzy
Interesting sound, not what I expected but it also makes sense. Nothing stand out. 2/5 stars.
Their debut album. Musically it's very good but it doesn't spark the same joy as the Paranoia album.
Title track is great and hugely important. Did this the same day as Vol 4 on Ozzy's death, not quite as good as that one to me but it's up there. Just meanders a bit.
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
More interesting than some of the other stuff coming out around this time, music for the weirdos. That said, later Sabbath is just better. I don't want to call this dull, or that time has passed it by, but despite being more varied than contemporaries, it's not that...I'm struggling to find a word that's not "interesting", so I'll say it didn't grip me. Still a good album, though. RIP Ozzy, 55 years of being a cultural force.
Not great
not bad
RIP Ozzy 🖤
*** Ok. However, I was never a Sabbath fan
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
Almost all metal is descended form this album
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
I get a kick out of how normal this sounds to me now vs. how it must have sounded to people when it was released. I really liked this one!
ah geeez. I liked Ozzy. He was a decent chap, it seemed. He’s recently passed, sadly. Not to speak ill of the dead, but…this is ghastly. I understand why this may be appealing to a younger segment of the listening public. The image and vibe is everything. The music is not, how do we say…good. Yes, I’m old. But I was young once, and this did nothing for me then, either. Good on you if you like it. Not for me.
Good
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.
Very good but not fully my style
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
classic. not the best of the albums, but better than I remember
Pretty good
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.
RIP Ozzy! It was good, you can see where it influenced the beginning of heavy metal. Not usually a fan of the 13 minute song but even Olivia liked some of it.
Interesting and innovative; good choice for today to mark Ozzy Osbourne‘s passing.
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/
Along the same lines as my comments for the other Black Sabbath albums I've been served on this site, this was really good. In fairness, I was quite looking forward to this as the previous two albums were so much better than expected. Getting this album the day after Ozzy died is either (1) prophetic, or (2) a result of an algorithm - I'm going with (2).
Not my fav Black Sabbath album, but solid nonetheless.
RIP the Madman! Prince of Darkness. This one is killer, the first foray into metal. Not quite perfect but really damn close. The opening salvo is haunting as hell and an apt introduction to the band. The Wizard is one of the most badass stomping blues horror numbers ever (should have been on the Sinners soundtrack). Only knock is that the middle sections get a little too jammy. Split those songs up and drive em hard! But damn, this is badass
It's a little too random that this was given to me the day after Ozzy died. Are they fishing for higher stars? It's wild how this band came pretty much fully formed even by their first album in 1970!!?? It's great. I think their later albums were a bit more solid, but man this feels like it came out of nowhere. I mean the Beatles were still a band when this came out. Incredible.
The undisputed cornerstone of heavy metal. It is actually fascinating to discover how much of this album's musicality is actually built upon blues and jazz musicality. I love this album, but I still think the second half drags for too long. Solid four-and-a-half record.
RIP Ozzy Osbourne (1948 - 2025) I thought in honor of a legend, I would go back to a classic. I have heard this album before, but not in great details, however this is the birth of metal, so this is an important album. It's hard to believe this album is 55 years old, it still holds up so well. It's atmospheric and psychedelic, such a great album. I often forget just how good instrumentally this band was. I know people like to complain how evil and demonic bands like Black Sabbath were, but honestly it feels so camp and theatrical; there is a reason why this band is so recognisable and creative, they paved the way for so many different genres. Standouts: Black Sabbath, The Wizard, N.I.B., Warning
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.
Sad to see Ozzy go. Nice album, not too heavy.
Fantastic. Heavy guitar and a groovy rhythm section. Ozzy's vocals on this are very good still, unlike on later records where I find it almost unbearable. I prefer this to Paranoid and it's not even close.
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
4.5
lite för långa jam-sessioner och ksk inte perfekt låtskrivande, dock en grym aura
была уверена что слушала уже это, но ни одну песню не узнала и вообще нет блэк саббат в моей хистори, как так вышло. нормальный мелодичный альбом со старающимся вокалистом)
Long live the Prince, and long live Black Sabbath.
Rip beer thief
5 stars is not enough.
Muy bueno! salvo el tema de 10 minutos....muy pocas canciones de musica popular merecen durar tanto.
timely pick - rip ozzy. and all around good music.
Legendary
This cannot possibly be co-inky-dinkal. Brian Wilson departs, "Smile" spins up next in my list. Ozzy departs and THIS is next in my list. Hugely influential of course, without necessarily being the leading exponent of the art. If you'd spent the 60s listening to the Archies and Roy Orbision then WOW were you in for a shock
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.
4.3/5 - Great album, moodier/more fun than I expected and way ahead of its time.
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.
It was good, didn't really do too much for me personally other than a few moments that I really enjoyed. Standout track for me was N.I.B. This was my first metal album and I think it made it finally click for me, I'm going to check out more metal fore sure including black sabbath.
not my cup of tea. mad respect for ozzy tho
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.
Not what I’m used to but a good start. Definitely love the guitar riffs and not super heavy metal which I like.
Very groovy, love the bass and guitar, not something I would typically listen to but quite nice.
Outstanding groundwork for a genre I’m not often a listener of. Simple but strong.
Not my taste in music, so while I did listen to a bit of it it was not my thing
How could I have missed this album? It’s so good! I always thought Black Sabbath wasn’t for me. I was wrong.
nice
The origins of metal music! Yay!
Significantly more blues-rock than one would expect. Between the prominent featuring of harmonicas on a few tracks and the classic blues riffing, it’s hard to imagine that this was the record that created metal as we know it. The title track and NIB help to solidify that influence, though, and make this a classic.
Early OZZY. an absolutely classic.
great album. not something I normally listen to.
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.
not really my type of music
ya ma escuche
can be a snoozefest, but is generally nice to listen to
This is a super iconic album for obvious reasons so I need to give it respect. I'll be honest if I didn't know the backstory and this was just a random album I would be a little underwhelmed. All in all though this was an enjoyable listen. The drumming was very innovative and fun, and the bass+guitar were good. Weird that I'm getting this album right now RIP Ozzy
Not my favorite sabbath.
Magical, doom, Heavy Metal
While not my personal favorite Sabbath album, it was crucial in creating metal. So its importance cannot be ignored.
Some elements of what I know of as music. Sure if I listened repeatedly I would probably start singing along. Perhaps I will after a night of drinking. Actually listened without drinking and almost enjoyed it. Most likely 3 in chart; if possible a 3+. Can't do 1/2 stars so will settle on 3
short but not for me
Liked this wayyyyyyy more than I though I would!!
Certainly sounds ahead of it's time
Ozzy's voice is just amazing. Love the bluesy vibes. You can definitely hear the beginnings of heavy metal.
Fucking awesome timing with Ozzy having died yesterday… but honestly, a nice album, I really like „N.I.B.“ and „Black Sabbath“. „Warning“ is also cool I’d give it a 3,7 (rounded up to 4)
Fundamental album, love it.
A timely album to listen to being it's a day after Ozzy's passing. The album that started it all for him and what a musical career he had! I never was a Black Sabbath or Ozzy fan. Although, I have come to appreciate his music and definitely get pumped up every time I hear "Crazy Train" at a football game.
вайбик норм
It's the first time listening to this album and it'll be my last. No disrespect meant to recently passed Ozzy, but this'll drive me insane. Not a fan of this Sabbath album at all.
Way better than I expected. Many of the songs were what I remembered being "proto" metal that I'm less interested in, but there was a lot more on the album that I genuinely enjoyed.
Black Sabbath close enough to Heavy Metal that it's not entirely fair to rate it since I asked to exclude the category. Like most of the category, this record is overweight, indulgent. At its best moments it touches on blues influenced rock but I'd rather the Yardbirds by 100000000%. Wasp et al so far is the best selection although it's also too long and indulgent
RIP Ozzy
This was my introduction to Black Sabbath in a more thorough sense. I had never heard anything other than the famous track Iron Man. The first chords of the opening song drew me in from the start and I realized there was a much more varied sound to Black Sabbath I had yet to discover. If anything, this album has edified for me why Ozzy Osborne is both celebrated and controversial. Truly an artist who paved his own path and lived life to the fullest. Black Sabbath is an album that hopefully sets the stage for much more transcendent music Black Sabbath library.
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
Wow. Strange this would come up now. 😞
Good. Glad I listened to it. Does Sabbath not use power chords? Was surprised by that.
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.
Enjoy it!! Listened to this years ago when it first came out.
Solid
It’s all right but I’m not a big fan
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.
A sign of things to come. Raw, heavy prog-rock.
Not the best Black Sabbath record but it is what started it all
Origins of Hard Rock! Loved it
not for me
Not bad
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.
Rest in peace to the prince of darkness. Compared to contemporaries, I can see why metal was so groundbreaking back when this was released.
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 ⭐️
Very listenable.
Seminal album and should be on everyone's listeb to list, a masterpiece on vinyl
Its the beginning of metal sound.
I don't care if it was 1st metal album ever. It's boring and sloppy
10/10 one of the best album ever made
A good debut, but miles off their second record
рип оззи, ты был очень крутым мужиком. но этот альбом не очень крутой.. звук как будто вот прямо из 1970 и идет, плохо слышно да. N.I.B. зачетная, спору нет. а еще он все никак не заканчивался, я уж думала все ура отслушала, а звуки все продолжались и продолжались.... так се
Long live OZZY!
rip ozzy, de aca nace historia
For some reason this just left me with a Paranoid earworm.
Nice record. Nothing really stuck with me.
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
This debut album (if stories are to be believed) was 'one and done' and finished in about 12 hours. Personally I believe it. It has a unity and energy that you don't get if you are doing take after take. It feels complete, even though it is short (at 39 minutes). Iommi's guitar sound (soon to define Sabbath's sound) and Ozzy's vocals made a good match. Overall, a good album, with hints about where they would go in the future.
RIP OZZY
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
RIP Ozzy! :( The album that started metal. Wow.
NIB é bom e o resto é ok.
RIP Ozzy. Good album, some strong rock songs and some strong instrumental moments.
What a bunch of goth LARP nerds (complimentary).
Gammal ozzy stenhård.
Ground breaking
It’s fkn sabbath people, get it!
Passend, dass mir das heute vorgeschlagen wird - pünktlich zum Tod von ozzy. Paranoid gefällt besser, aber kann man schon mal anmachen.
Yeah
Heck yeah
Over the top and sorta simple sounding, but a fun listen that clearly inspired a lot
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 🖤
I can see why it was ground breaking, but it's not really for me
This might as well be a greatest hits record ffs. And Ozzy was just a wee baby when they recorded this.
Quite bluesy, first track is a bit more of a standout. A historical landmark, arguably heavy music may not exist in the same way without this album.
Not a heavy metal fan. This album is likely on the list because it's credited as being the first heavy metal album. However, it's not a notable album. There are no Best Songs. Recommend instead listening to Black Sabbath - Paranoid.
first time listen. holds up surprisingly well
The album is so short? Only 5 songs and 39 minutes. I LOVE THE GUITAR. Ozzy has a really unique voice. I understand the hype.
3.5/5 I'm not a heavy metal fan, but didn't hate this album. The production was way better than I was expecting and the recording sounded very good despite being a 55 year old album. It loses points for me based on the lyrics and vocals.
I didn't like this as much as Paranoid, but still some great guitar work.
RIP Ozzy. Good and hugely influential album even if it’s not close to paranoid or master of reality.
RIP. I was never the biggest Black Sabbath fan, but I enjoyed them
This one is pretty good. I like the flow of the album and like musically is good and interesting. Vocals fit perfectly.
Mostly good stuff, a couple of tracks that have meandering guitar solos that serve no purpose other than apparently to just drag the song out.
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.
This isn’t my favorite Black Sabbath album but I do still like it!
Awesome. Ground breaking to say the least
Very rare do you get to listen to something and go “This is the genesis of a genre”.
Ungdomsminner. Holder seg fortsatt godt.
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
His voice becomes grating after a while, and the songs rule in simplicity. Pretty good overall.
To be honest, this album was much better than I imagined! I had never listened to it before, but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. RIP Ozzy
I have this on tape 😅. Love Ozzy. R.I.P 😪
Groundbreaking for it's time, still good nowadays
Wow
The first several Sabbath albums are untouchable.
Pretty good but later albums are better. RIP Ozzy!
Giving me this right after Ozzy dies is some kind of conspiracy
Just a damn good album. RIP Prince of Darkness.
Shocked, but I loved this!
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.
Good stuff 3/5
Best Sabbath I've heard. Gritty, gloomy, original. RIP OZZY (today's the day after he passed) 5/5
Incredible album only downside is that it's a little short.. 30 minutes and 8 tracks is pretty short for a 70s album but then again this was 1970
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.
I bought this album when it came out in 1970. Didn't like it then. Don't like it now. They did create the template for heavy metal, but this pales to the explosive bombast that the genre became. This is no more than heavy rock. The band members are all very good musicians. But, I just don't find any emotional intensity in any of it. RIP Ozzy.
Suggested on the day after Ozzie passed. Don't know if that was deliberate, but... oof.
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