Vol. 4

First time really listening to a Black Sabbath album. The album is heavy and at times intense, but there are some really beautiful moments at times as well. I also found that I resonated with a lot of the lyrical content much more than I anticipated I would. I'll make sure to check out more of their work in the future.

Monolithic, hard as granite and thick as sludge hard rock/metal album. There are some softer moments (with some nice mellotron action) to let you catch your breath, but for the most part 'Vol. 4' slaps harder than your mum.

About as heavy as it gets. Nothing beats that opening riff in supernaut

70's Black Sabbath is unbelieveably good. Sludge/stoner metal is a genre I can't get enough of, so this recommendation fell on happy ears! The album starts off with the +7m30s musical journey of "Wheels of Confusion / The Straightener", which shows those pretentious prog-rockers exactly how this sort of thing is supposed to work. Following that is the far more straight forward verse/chorus/verse growl of "Tomorrow's Dream". And then a ... piano and synthesized strings!? "Changes" is a beautiful departure from the general feel of the album, which is mirrored on the other end of the album by "Laguna Sunrise". Both offer a moment of calm, to catch your breath from all of the rock in between. And then the album ushers you out, the same way it welcomed you in, which the medley of subtracks brought together in "Under the Sun / Every Day Comes and Goes" For those that have never looked into Sabbath, or that might've been turned off to the band by tracks like "Crazy Train", I think "Vol. 4" is a much better album to form your opinion on. Regardless, I appreciate the album both for what it is and for what it represents in the evolution of rock and metal. Super glad to see it on the list!

Debatably, Black Sabbath laid the groundwork for various subgenres of metal with individual songs from their early catalog, exploring cosmic psychedelia on one track, symphonic accompaniment on the next, and sludgy, downtuned riffing on the song after that. If the theory that Sabbath forecast a great deal of metal to come, Vol. 4 represents the earliest ancestry of doom metal as one of the band's darkest and most confused early documents. The three albums that came before 1972's Vol. 4 weren't short on dread and doominess, but the band's increasingly heavy mutations of blues-rock were kept from the brink of collapse by relatively streamlined production and aspirations for pop accessibility. By the time of Vol. 4, the band were certified rock stars, indulging in drugs and partying on an accelerated level. These excesses are reflected in the overall murky sound of the album, lyrical themes of a slippery grasp on reality, and weird stylistic curveballs that range from an out-of-nowhere soul breakdown in the middle of "Supernaut" (otherwise one of the most intense songs in the band's catalog) to stoned twiddling with delay effects on "FX" to the beautifully placid instrumental "Laguna Sunrise," consisting of Tony Iommi's classical guitar and full orchestral backing. This was the first album where Iommi and the band acted as producers, and their boundless experimentation went hand in hand with consuming ungodly amounts of cocaine, to the point where they originally wanted the album to share a title with its centerpiece "Snowblind," a plodding and bewildered ode to the drug. The record company ultimately vetoed the idea and the band acquiesced. Paradoxically, the scattered mindset and muddy atmosphere of Vol. 4 became its defining factors and resulted in some of the heaviest material the band would create. Ozzy Osbourne's patented wraith-like wails begin to come into their own on anguished rockers like "Tomorrow's Dream" and "Cornucopia," and take on a tenderness that Sabbath had never attempted before on the piano/Mellotron ballad "Changes." It's a somewhat awkward jerk from the tearful sentimentality of "Changes" to the paranoid proto-sludge of "Under the Sun," and many songs have similarly strange quick turns in composition, fumbling mixing choices, or different overall textural quality from track to track. Black Sabbath's collective mental state would further devolve on their next two albums, and by the late '70s they were virtually a different band. Though clouded by substance abuse, Vol. 4 found Sabbath at a creative peak that teetered on the edge of going off the rails completely. It's messy and bewildered, but stands as one of the band's most captivating and influential documents in all of its bizarre, damaged brilliance. [Source: https://www.allmusic.com/album/vol-4-mw0000199950]

I've always loved Sabbath's first 3 records, but for some reason I never got around to the 4th. I can solidly say, it holds up to their standard, and more; I think I like it even better than Masters of Reality. Guess the cocaine really worked!

I'm a big fan of everything Sabbath did between Paranoid and Sabotage. This album marks a slight change in their sound, expanding their range a bit. I especially love "Supernaut" on this album for it's unexpected sudden turn into an acoustic/percussion jam like a miniature parade going right through the middle of the song. Sabbath always entertains.

You can only trust yourself and the first six Black Sabbath albums. The rhythm section of Butler and Ward are in my top 3 all time. I didn't need to listen to this one again for the millionth time, but I did anyway. A perfect slab of metal.

Laguna Sunrise is perhaps one of the best non-lyrical rock song ever. Changes is a force. This album is a riot!

Cocaine is responsible for some terrible things, like Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours”, but it is also responsible for this masterpiece, so we’ll call it a wash.

so, of course i knew OF sabbath - but i really never listened to them. i'd somehow heard Changes before, but that was it - except for supernaut, which is a) easily my favorite on this album, and b) humorously, the least-played track, according to spotify. anyway, this one was so good, i went back and listened to it again, just to be sure. and yeah, it held up. amazing.

IM GOOOIN’ THRU CHAANGES

Another perfect Sabbath album. Sound is more upbeat and poppy than previous efforts, but still 100% Sabbath. I guess lots and lots of cocaine compared to booze will change the sound a bit. A rare instance where a band's sonic evolution changes from the original sound while keeping up the quality and not stagnating.

I had their self titled debut on here a week ago, and Vol.4 suffers by comparison, I'm afraid, and that's mainly because of "Changes" (and, I guess, "FX"). They just completely mess up the flow of this album. I quite like "Changes" as a song in its own right, but it makes such a dent in the tone of this album, I dunno, maybe because it's piano based? Fave track - "Supernaut", I reckon, though I have a soft spot for "Laguna Sunrise" too. All the tracks apart from "Changes" and "FX" are pretty solid,

Once again, I am very pleasantly surprised by Black Sabbath. I really really love this. It's more psychedelic rock than heavy metal and a few songs barely count as "rock" music: Changes is a piano ballad for crying out loud and Laguna Sunrise could play over the end credits of a Western. I think Lenny Kravitz took some psychedelic funk inspiration from Supernaut when making Are You Gonna Go My Way. There were a few tracks that started out just ok for me but then they'd hit a bridge or a transition or a melody line that made me weak in the knees. The last track Under the Sun/Every Day Comes and Goes is the most like what I would have expected from Black Sabbath and I'm glad the entire record wasn't like that. But there's enough variety here to make that track a welcome ending. I don't know how often I'll listen to this but 20-year-old me would have listened a lot and I'm going to let her give it five stars.

Simply incredible in all its drug-fueled excess. Sure, it drags around the middle of side 1 with Changes and FX, but kicks back with Supernaut and never lets go.

An excellent choice to end my 7-day dry patch. Started off a bit underwhelmed but then I turned it up loud, and by the 2nd run-through it was clear that the opening track is a heavy prog masterpiece. After 3 listens most of the songs became familiar old favorites. What a drummer! Looks like there could be a lot of Black Sabbath in my future. Hail Satan etc

Ozzy has such a great rocker voice. This album is great and I love the early 70s metal. Has the right amount of kick and. Ompared to the other sounds from this era, it's pretty intense. Tame today, sure, but the guitar licks sound crisp and creative. There were also some surprising easy going songs that also were nice. My favorites were Wheels of Confusion/ The Straightener, Changes, Supernaut, and Laguna Sunrise.

What a cool album! Such great riffs with a super dark guitar tone. Ozzy’s voice creates such a spooky and haunting aura around these songs. Shockingly, you find sincere and heartfelt moments throughout. You can see how metal was slowly forming in this album, more than a decafe before Metallica made it big.

You can imagine the cocaine hanging in the air in the LA studio during this recording session. Truly epic guitar and drum composition, mixed with haunting rhythms for Ozzy to lay on a thick layer of buttercream icing onto this devil’s food cake of an album. 5 stars.

The best album they made.

Didn’t know Changes was originally their song. I loved this album, hadn’t listened to a full Black Sabbath album intentionally before.

Shaking my head at all the five star reviews. There's not much great about this album. I was an Ozzy fan back in the day, but this falls short of greatness and just a smidgen better than cow poo. Heavy sound but a lot of senseless noise with no direction.

Wow...I had never heard of this Black Sabbath album before, but it is sooooo good. "FX" was the only song I didn't love, but it's kinda like a short interlude (only 1.5 minutes). This album is heavy with some kick ass riffs "Supernaut", has some melodic peaceful parts "Changes", and just about everything else in between. Tony Iommi is sooo talented. I Ioved this. May be my favorite Sabbath album. Maybe a 4.75 because of "FX" Liked Songs: The entire album minus "FX"

My first album is from one of my favorite bands. I'm off to a good start!

I wish the production/mixing was a little better, but despite that, this is yet another certified banger from Black Sabbath.

Wow, I didn't expect a lot from Black Sabbath. I've heard their debut album before in this challenge. It was good and an important piece of rock history. But 'Vol 4' blows it away. There's so much going on in this album without being overly indulgent or too much to process. It's just a great rock album with heavy guitars, furious drum breakdown, and simple minimalist ballads to balance it all out. The experimental 'FX' is maybe a little pointless but it doesn't overstay its welcome. The addition of the mellotron adds so much with so little. It gives it an unearthly feel that the music desperately needed. What a great surprise this one was.

OH MY GOD

They set a precedent for other creators of the genre. It's what you want from Black Sabbath

Amazing. Great musicality, dynamic range, black sabbath has a lot more variety/talent than I thought before. Faves: Changes, Supernaut, Laguna sunrise, Under the sun

Dynamic, melodic. Easy to see why this album makes a best list. I could do without the beeps and bops in the middle, but it works well as a transition in tone. Love Laguna Sunrise, what a nice breath of fresh air.

Had not listened to a whole album of theirs. More varied than expected.

Great stuff. I want to hear an R.L. Burnside version of Supernaut. Solid album from start to finish. I think their first two albums are better.

Creo que entre las cosas que sacaré de esta dinámica es mi admiración por Black Sabbath. Macizo todo, incluidos los interludes, digamos, instrumentales y hasta con sonido muy distinto a lo pesado de las canciones. No skips, trae "Changes" que sí me parece muy buena y todo bien, suena grande en conjunto (y eso que no es mi género predilecto). 10/10

Early days of real metal 5 star

wheels of confusion: graaf nummer, diepe tekst, lekker depressed, thats what sabbath does best. the straightener: I LOVE MYSELF SOME GOOD SOLOKES. Tomorrows dream: oke nummer, niet t beste hier. Wel weer coole gitaren Changes: Man man man, in het begin dacht ik BIG MOUTH HYPE. maar nu echt al vaak beluisterd, de stem is spooky de rekst pakt en de piano maakt het af. big shoutout naar de OGS for this one. FX: ik voelde hem niet maar als ge op genius leest waar het vandaan komt maakt het het wel echt leuk. Supernaut: een leuke positieve song, steviger en sneller dan de rest. gekke riff en gekke solo. gitaren shredden boyzzzz. snowblind: normaal de titel van het album, maar mocht niet door de obv link naar drugs. nice bridge, riff is niceeeee33333 cornucopia: deeep Laguna sunrise: leuk toch die sunrise st. vitus' dance: die goede storytelling. Under the Sun / Every Day Comes and Goes: weer van die goede riffs en goede teksten. Normaal geen black sabbath fan maar dit was echt de turntables, ga er meer naar luisteren en dit album zeker nog meer luisteren. Zo divers en sterk. Duidelijk een album over drugs en de gevolgen van drugs in hun leven.

Already loved this album!

yaaaaassss

Not my favourite Sabbath.....but still can close my eyes and imagine how revolutionary this would have been at the time

Not as many of the hits that I love but still fueled my afternoon work nicely

For the perfection of pure, heavy riffing, go to Sleep's "Dopesmoker"; for the Platonic heavy, insane guitar noise, listen to Big Black's two LPs. But for the primordial sludge of inspiration and dead ends that minted this kind of slow, distorted rock, smoke this and the preceding two Black Sab records. Most of the songs are three quarters brilliant, with awkward instrumental passages shoved in that suggest the band were glancing at prog contemporaries. When I was a teenager, I dumped Black Sabbath as soon as I got into Sonic Youth et al; there's something stubbornly naff about them. I'm now at an age where I find that charming. The inward groan when "Changes" hit my ears for the first time in three decades was displaced by a mesmeric trance. "I'm going through chaaaaanges...."

Excuse me, when did Black Sabbath get so melodic and soothing? They're supposed to be these heavy metal rockers and at least three songs on this album are soothing lullabys.

Desolate.

Never really listened to sabbath but I like them. Gives me a zeppelin vibe

Black Sabbath is epic, but this album is not. Maybe it’s the cocaine but they missed with Vol. 4.

I don't understand song #4 on Vol 4. So I won't listen to this more than once per year. I know it's Ozzie and Sharon will probably find me and make me a eunuch...

5/9

Great! Supernaut is insanely good, didn't know I like another Sabbath album outside of Paranoid.

This great album is the proof that a five-star album doesn't need to be full of hits (and that an album full of hits is not necessarily a five-star album, right, Thriller?) Amazingly consistent, one of the most amazing guitar works I've ever listened to. Black Sabbath at its peak!

Favorite: Changes

Black Sabbath. Enough said.

The exact reason I'm doing this project. I absolutely loved this album from it's typical Sabbath metal songs to softer songs like Changes. I didn't think Black Sabbath could ever close to their hit album Paranoid, but this album proved me wrong.

Surprisingly it seemed very restrained (not all metal) and just was fun from beginning to the end

Really, really good. I think I liked this more than Paranoid. Crazy that they did obscene amounts of cocaine and still sounded this good. Screaming Trees did a cover of “Tomorrow’s Dream” which is actually the first time I heard that song. Really nice variety. They sound great on all the tracks.

cannot believe I'm writing this, but I enjoyed this album. they "might" have been heavily influenced by coke, which is even more shocking that it's so well done. "Changes" and "Laguna Sunrise" are great tracks. still shocked that I enjoyed this. 4.5 stars

Well now, what a difference. From the ridiculous to the sublime (well not quite). By the time they released this one they had started to experiment a bit, hence one of my all time favourite Sabbath tracks FX. When listened to in surround sound stereo the soundscape is utterly amazing the notes swirl all around and through you, it's just fabulous. And then there is that wonderful piece of music Laguna Sunrise. Which, for reasons I won't go into, I shall always know as The Goon At Sunrise. As well as all the songs being of high quality especially what has almost become their signature tune Changes. This is a great great album. I had intended to give this a 4, but after reading this can't see how I can justify anything less than a 5. So there it is.

I’ve never listened to Black Sabbath, I didn’t even know they sang Changes. My grandfather is a huge fan, and I see why. This was incredible, I loved it. In my previous reviews I’ve been saying how none of the rock albums I’ve listened to have converted me to a rock fan, coming back for seconds… this one has. I’ve played this album on repeat more than any other so far. Deep cleaned my old fridge with my headphones, hung washing and drove around all night with only this album on repeat. Hard to explain exactly why this one and no others have, perhaps it’s that this one has a “electronic” feel to it (namely in the guitars, but in the rest of the production too) and a male vocalist I actually like (not a fan usually). Maybe not, who knows, but I’m beyond impressed. I can’t wait to tell my grandfather about this!

Where has this band been all my life? I thought they were some edgy heavy metal band but no they are just an awesome semi blues rock band. Very good stuff.

First album for this project! Great start. I do love me some Ozzy tunezz. Though they might as well have named the album "An Ode to Coke"! Love love love: *Wheels of Confusion *Changes *St. Vitus Dance *Under The Sun ⋆˚࿔♫⋆˚࿔📀♡⋆.˚

Wow! Listening to this album was an experience! Haunting and existential - both lyrically and musically! This is an album I'm definitely going to revisit! I especially loved Changes and Laguna Sunrise, but I loved other individual songs as well! Album rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I love this album!!

Really incredible album, guitars make me climax, put me onto all of the other first 5 BS records, and I was not disappointed with them either

Vol 4 might not even be my favorite of BS's incredible first 5 albums run with Ozzy as a vocalist, but damn it still bangs enough to get a 5 stars. Seeing the cult status that paranoid and Master of reality hold, you could Even call this album quite underrated. It was the first Black Sabbath album not produced by rodger brain and produced by the band itself, but it still perfectly holds up with its predecessors while sounding slightly different. Incredible album

Arguably their best album. Ozzy is phenomenal. Instant 5, just add volume.

Both sludgier and prettier than previous albums. Classic Black Sabbath never misses.

Black Sabbath doing what Black Sabbath did best - heavy riffs, cocaine, and more heavy riffs!

This was really great. Nicely hooky and melodic, but with that typical Sabbath edge that's just perfect. I was really surprised by Laguna Sunrise, which reminded me of something I'd hear from The Beatles. Surprisingly good. Five stars.

Classic Black Sabbath album; amazing guitars, mix of slower, lyrical moments and great metal riffs. Standouts: great moments found throughout, particularly Snowblind, Supernaut, Laguna Sunrise

Masterpiece!!

I am only on track three but based off of the sort of mythos Black Sabbath has, I was fully expecting something much more intense. That is not a negative thing at all though, the intensity of this album came through in how it felt like sludging through thick black concrete, smoke, and tar. loved it !!!

4.7

Hard Rock at it`s Best!

9/10

Forget about The Clash, THIS is the only band that matters

Coke rocks!

This album is a bold 5 stars. The band just burned everything surrounding them with that one. How can you be so heavy and groovy at the same time? While listening to it, I want to dance and throw a chair at the wall at the very same time. Ozzy's delivery is out of this world, Bill Ward is playing like he wants to destroy his drum kit, Geezer is more solid than ever and Iommi's guitar is pure evil.

Finally landed on one of my all-time favorite bands and albums. The first 4 Sabbath albums are unbeatable. Really the first 6 all could have arguably made this list. Heavy, sludge, yet melodic and catchy. Bill Ward is the unsung hero on this record. His powerful yet playful jazzy drumming adds a fun counterpoint to Tony and Geezer's plodding and doomy riffs. Just listen to his tasty fills and high hat work on Snowblind. 4.5/5 Album 12/1001

Like all of Sabbath's early albums this one is very fun and unique. Changes is a massive change of pace, while all the rest have this Lo-fi early-metal mystique that I find very appealing, perhaps do the fact that my father was a Black Sabbath superfan from their early days. 5/5

Yeah, I really unexpectedly, liked this album. It starts off really good and then it blew me away with Changes, which is such a pleasant surprise. Most of the riffs here are really great as well + ozzy’s very distinct voice helps a lot as well.

Didn't think I would, but I loved it

Simply great album from start to finish was a perfect workout companion in the morning and added to one of my favorites all time.

A fucking masterpiece

The Best Black Sabbath Album.

Taken me months to review this. Mostly because i cant believe this is my favorite Sabbath record. Its just as raw and heavy as thier first three masterpieces, with even better contrasted melodies and acoustic accompaniment. Psychedelic Sludge

Favorite track: snowblond other picks: supernaut, the straightener, laguna sunrise

Awesome!

I enjoyed this album a lot more than I expected to. It's heavy and loud, and the melodies are great. The slower and (relatively) quieter "Changes" is really the glue that holds this album together, adding both emotional and musical depth - although my favorite track is probably "Supernaut."

I finished the album today but it won’t let me rate it yet When it does, either 4 or 5 stars. Superb

🤘 Excellent

It's Black Sabbath, obviously it has to be a 5 more so because it's Ozzys black sabbath

90% Best: Wheels of Confusion/The Straightener; Changes; Supernaut; Snowblind; Under the Sun Must-Hear? Yes

I was big into metal at school in the very early 80s. But with plenty of New Wave stuff around and regarding Black Sabbath (without the fired Ozzy) as has-beens I never sought out any of their old stuff. I wasn't expecting an album like this. The standard Sabbath sound, but with melodic, thoughtful quiet bits too. Changes is a good song but let down by the horrible melotron behind it. It's really the only track that lets the album down. Could this be the third 5* album I've had this week?... I think so.

AMAZING ALBUM AMAZING!

It's not my favourite Sabbath album as I find the guitar tone a bit fuzzy overall, but it's still great.

голос невероятный, не мой жанр, но я в восторге от солиста

Muito bom. Changes é a minha preferida. Um álbum bem dinâmico, bastante ideias boas.

# Album Name: Vol.4 # Artist: Black Sabbath # Rating: 5/5 # Comments: My 2nd sabbath album in a week. Im looking forward to this. Their first album blew me away. It was great. Wheels of confusion - fucking damn good solo to finish on. Changes is a wild side step. It shows the depth to the bands talents taking their sound in a delicate direction. Its a lovely song. Great lyrics and music on this song. Supernaut - best track on the album. Love that killer riff. Great drums. Sabbath have really shocked me. I was never into them or heard much but the last two albums i have had were great. This album isnt as good as their debut but its still bloody good. Theres some great riffs and tunes on this album. # Top Tunes: WoC / Changes / Supernaut / snowblind # Would I listen to it again? Yes

Yes!!! This is stunning, original, organic, visceral. If there's a better heavy rock album I want to hear it. I'd only heard 'Changes' (what a change of pace) and the awesome 'Supernaught' before, but everything here is great. There's so much more to them than their huge heavy riffs. The opening track is spectacular, 'Snowblind' is awesome.Then they come down and do something beautiful like 'Laguna Sunrise', then back up full of riffs and energy for 'St Vitus Dance' and a cool closer. Genuinely faultless, only works loud of course. For me no other heavy rock band comes close. Funny how they inspired so many one dimensional metal bands really. p.s. 'Are You Gonna Go My Way' is brilliant, but is so inspired by 'Supernaught' :)

This was actually good. I did not know Black Sabbath sung “Changes” but they do and it’s SOO GOOD. This album was so fire 🔥🔥🔥

Vol. 4- Black Sabbath ||4.5/5⭐️ ༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚ uhhh totally didn’t write this tdy on the bus😅😅🥰🥰🤫🤫 it’s insanely better than british steel (more like bollocks steel am i right fellas?!?!) the instrumentals are really good! i really like supernaut for that reason, really good defined sound with a little bit of really good vocals. i also love laguna sunrise, it threw me off a bit with the change in sound but oh my god it’s such a beautiful melody like what the hell😿 the accoustic with like the beautiful violin in the back and it being all slow paced like some love ballad?? i think that’s rlly cool. i was a little nervous at first bc judas priest left a bad taste in my mouth for the genre but this album has completely fixed that. overall id say all the songs are pretty strong, i really like the more heartfelt ones fs^^ the only song i find myself really hating is FX but that’s just like beeps and boops. ______________________ stand out songs: wheels of confusion/ the straightener, changes🥇, supernaut, snowblind🥈, cornucopia, laguna sunrise🥉, st. vitus dance, under the sun/ ever day comes and goes