Origin: England
Genres: 70's Metal, Doom Metal
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Black Sabbath  


Black Sabbath is one of the oldest and most well-known metal bands of all time, but they are much more than that -- they are the single most important band in the history of heavy metal, virtually defining the genre with the eight Ozzy-era albums (Black Sabbath through Never Say Die) of the seventies. As such, guitarist Tony Iommi might well be considered the father of the metal guitar riff, his distinctive style really unlike anyone else at the time, influencing an infinite number of guitarists that have followed. And they achieved their initial fame without major airplay, as really only "Paranoid" was a bonafide hit at the time. But those 70's releases contain some of the finest metal songs ever, such as "Black Sabbath" (the ultimate doom song), "Iron Man", "Sweet Leaf", "Symptom Of The Universe" (possibly the #1 BNR song of all time) and so many more.

Though Sabbath ruled the seventies without question, the succeeding years were a mixed bag. With Ozzy Osbourne out of the band and on his own, the vocalist spot fell to Rainbow man Ronnie James Dio, and the two studio albums he did with the band injected some much-needed new life into a band that by the late seventies was showing its age. Former Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan was an odd, interesting choice to succeed Dio, and the resulting Born Again album was inconsistent and not terribly well received, though it clearly had it's moments with songs such as "Zero The Hero". After that, the members grew apart and the band essentially dissolved, with the next album, Seventh Star, really a Iommi solo project released under the Black Sabbath name. Iommi and several lineups released several albums over the next decade, with only 1992's Dehumanizer, featuring a temporary return of Dio, sparking major interest, and the band gradually became more and more inactive as the nineties winded down.

Finally, in 1997, the original foursome came back together. Several reunion shows were done, some of which were released as Reunion (along with two studio tracks). Since then, the band has been an on-again, off-again affair, as Ozzy has continued his solo career both as a musician and as a general celebrity. Most recently has been the emergence of Heaven And Hell, featuring Dio, Iommi, Butler, and Vinny Appice -- a successful venture until Dio's untimely passing in May 2010. And finally, in November 2011, the original foursome has once again announced a reunion, complete with an upcoming album and tour.

Current Members

Ozzy Osbourne

vocals (Ozzy Osbourne)

Tony Iommi

guitars (Heaven And Hell)

Geezer Butler

bass (Geezer, Heaven And Hell, Ozzy Osbourne)

Bill Ward

drums

Former Members/Guests

Ronnie James Dio

vocals (Dio, Heaven And Hell, Rainbow) RIP: May 16, 2010, cancer

Ian Gillan

vocals (Deep Purple, Gillan)

Glenn Hughes

vocals (Deep Purple)

Tony Martin

vocals

Dave Spitz

bass (Americade)

Bob Daisley

bass (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, Uriah Heep)

Laurence Cottle

bass

Neil Murray

bass (Bow Wow, Fastway, Michael Schenker Group, Whitesnake)

Geoff Nichols

keyboards

Vinny Appice

drums (Dio, Heaven And Hell, Kill Devil Hill)

Eric Singer

drums (Alice Cooper, Avantasia, Badlands, Kiss)

Bev Bevan

percussion

Cozy Powell

drums (Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Schenker Group, Rainbow, Whitesnake) RIP: April 5, 1998, killed in a car accident

Bobby Rondinelli

drums (Blue Oyster Cult, Doro, Rainbow, Riot)

Brad Wilk (guest)

drums (Audioslave, Rage Against The Machine)


Discography


Black Sabbath 
1970 Warner Bros.
  1. Black Sabbath
  2. The Wizard
  3. Behind The Wall Of Sleep
  4. N.I.B.
  5. Evil Woman (on European version)
  6. Wicked World (on US version)
  7. Sleeping Village
  8. Warning
  • Ozzy Osbourne
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Bill Ward
1970 BNR and Internet Top Ten album

Reviews:   Lords Of Metal  Metal Observer 


Paranoid 
1970 Warner Bros.
  1. Luke's Wall/War Pigs
  2. Paranoid
  3. Planet Caravan
  4. Iron Man
  5. Electric Funeral
  6. Hand of Doom
  7. Rat Salad
  8. Fairies Wear Boots/Jack the Stripper
  • Ozzy Osbourne
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Bill Ward
1970 BNR and Internet Top Ten album

Reviews:   Lords Of Metal  Metal Observer 


Master Of Reality 
1971 Warner Bros.
  1. Sweet Leaf
  2. After Forever
  3. Embryo
  4. Children of the Grave
  5. Orchid
  6. Lord of this World
  7. Solitude
  8. Into the Void
  • Ozzy Osbourne
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Bill Ward
1971 BNR Top Ten album

Reviews:   Lords Of Metal 


Vol. 4 
1972 Warner Bros.
  1. Wheels of Confusion/The Straightener
  2. Tomorrow's Dream
  3. Changes
  4. FX
  5. Supernaut
  6. Snowblind
  7. Cornucopia
  8. Laguna Sunrise
  9. St. Vitus' Dance
  10. Under the Sun/Every Day Comes & Goes
  • Ozzy Osbourne
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Bill Ward
1972 BNR and Internet Top Ten album

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 
1973 Warner Bros.
  1. Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath
  2. A National Acrobat
  3. Fluff
  4. Sabbra Cadabra
  5. Killing Yourself to Live
  6. Who are You?
  7. Looking for Today
  8. Spiral Architect
  • Ozzy Osbourne
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Bill Ward
1973 BNR and Internet Top Ten album

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


Sabotage 
1975 Warner Bros.
  1. Hole in the Sky
  2. Don't Start (Too Late)
  3. Symptom of the Universe
  4. Megalomania
  5. The Thrill of it All
  6. Supertzar
  7. Am I Going Insane (Radio)
  8. The Writ
  • Ozzy Osbourne
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Bill Ward
1975 BNR and Internet Top Ten album

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


We Sold Our Souls For Rock'n'Roll  COMPILATION
1975 Warner Bros.
  1. Black Sabbath
  2. The Wizard
  3. Paranoid
  4. War Pigs
  5. Iron Man
  6. Tomorrow's Dream
  7. Fairies Wear Boots
  8. Changes
  9. Sweet Leaf
  10. Children of the Grave
  11. Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath
  12. Am I Going Insane (Radio)
  13. Snowblind
  14. N.I.B.



Technical Ecstasy 
1977 Warner Bros.
  1. Back Street Kids
  2. You Won't Change Me
  3. It's Alright
  4. Gypsy
  5. All Moving Parts (Stand Still)
  6. Rock 'N' Roll Doctor
  7. She's Gone
  8. Dirty Women
  • Ozzy Osbourne
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Bill Ward
1977 BNR and Internet Top Ten album

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


Never Say Die 
1978 Warner Bros.
  1. Never Say Die
  2. Johnny Blade
  3. Junior's Eyes
  4. A Hard Road
  5. Shock Wave
  6. Air Dance
  7. Over To You
  8. Breakout
  9. Swinging the Chain
  • Ozzy Osbourne
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Bill Ward
1978 BNR Top Ten album



Heaven And Hell 
1980 Warner Bros.
  1. Neon Knights
  2. Children of the Sea
  3. Lady Evil
  4. Heaven & Hell
  5. Wishing Well
  6. Die Young
  7. Walk Away
  8. Lonely is the Word
  • Ronnie James Dio
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Geoff Nichols
  • Bill Ward
1980 Internet Top Ten album

Reviews:   Sea Of Tranquility  Metal Observer 


Mob Rules 
1981 Warner Bros.
  1. Turn Up the Night
  2. Voodoo
  3. The Sign of the Southern Cross
  4. E5150
  5. The Mob Rules
  6. Country Girl
  7. Slipping Away
  8. Falling off the Edge of the World
  9. Over & Over
  • Ronnie James Dio
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Geoff Nichols
  • Vinny Appice
1981 Internet Top Ten album

Reviews:   Sea Of Tranquility  Metal Observer 


Live Evil  LIVE
1983 Warner Bros.
  1. E5150
  2. Neon Knights
  3. N.I.B.
  4. Children of the Sea
  5. Voodoo
  6. Black Sabbath
  7. War Pigs
  8. Iron Man
  9. The Mob Rules
  10. Heaven & Hell
  11. The Sign of the Southern Cross/Heaven & Hell (Continued)
  12. Paranoid
  13. Children of the Grave
  14. Fluff
  • Ronnie James Dio
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Geoff Nichols
  • Vinny Appice

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


Born Again 
1983 Warner Bros.
  1. Trashed
  2. Stonehenge
  3. Disturbing the Priest
  4. The Dark
  5. Zero the Hero
  6. Digital Bitch
  7. Born Again
  8. Hot Line
  9. Keep it Warm
  • Ian Gillan
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Geoff Nichols
  • Bill Ward
1983 Internet Top Ten album

Reviews:   Metal Forces 


Seventh Star 
1986 IRS
  1. In for the Kill
  2. No Stranger to Love
  3. Turn to Stone
  4. Sphinx (The Guardian)
  5. Seventh Star
  6. Danger Zone
  7. Heart Like a Wheel
  8. Angry Heart
  9. In Memory ...
  • Glenn Hughes
  • Tony Iommi
  • Dave Spitz
  • Geoff Nichols
  • Eric Singer



The Eternal Idol 
1987 IRS
  1. The Shining
  2. Ancient Warrior
  3. Hard Life to Love
  4. Glory Ride
  5. Born to Lose
  6. Nightmare
  7. Scarlet Pimpernel
  8. Lost Forever
  9. Eternal Idol
  • Tony Martin
  • Tony Iommi
  • Dave Spitz
  • Bob Daisley
  • Geoff Nichols
  • Eric Singer
  • Bev Bevan



Headless Cross 
1989 IRS
  1. The Gates of Hell
  2. Headless Cross
  3. Devil & Daughter
  4. When Death Calls
  5. Kill in the Spirit World
  6. Call of the Wild
  7. Black Moon
  8. Nightwing
  • Tony Martin
  • Tony Iommi
  • Laurence Cottle
  • Geoff Nichols
  • Cozy Powell

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


Tyr 
1990 IRS
  1. Anno Mundi (the vision)
  2. The Law Maker
  3. Jerusalem
  4. The Sabbath Stones
  5. The Battle of Tyr
  6. Odin's Court
  7. Valhalla
  8. Feels Good to Me
  9. Heaven in Black
  • Tony Martin
  • Tony Iommi
  • Neil Murray
  • Geoff Nichols
  • Cozy Powell

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


Dehumanizer 
1992 Reprise
  1. Computer God
  2. After All (The Dead)
  3. TV Crimes
  4. Letters From Earth
  5. Master of Insanity
  6. Time Machine
  7. Sins of the Father
  8. Too Late
  9. I
  10. Buried Alive
  • Ronnie James Dio
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Geoff Nichols
  • Vinny Appice
1992 Internet Top Ten album

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


Cross Purposes 
1994 IRS
  1. I Witness
  2. Cross of Thorns
  3. Psychophobia
  4. Virtual Death
  5. Immaculate Deception
  6. Dying for Love
  7. Back to Eden
  8. The Hand that Rocks the Cradle
  9. Cardinal Sin
  10. Evil Eye
  11. What's the Use (Japanese bonus track)
  • Tony Martin
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Geoff Nichols
  • Bobby Rondinelli



Cross Purposes Live  LIVE
1995 IRS
  1. Time Machine
  2. Children of the Grave
  3. I Witness
  4. Mob Rules
  5. Into the Void
  6. Anno Mundi
  7. Black Sabbath
  8. Neon Knights
  9. Psychophobia
  10. The Wizard
  11. Cross of Thorns
  12. Symptom of the Universe
  13. Headless Cross
  14. Paranoid
  15. Iron Man
  16. Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath
  • Tony Martin
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Geoff Nichols
  • Bobby Rondinelli



Forbidden 
1995 EMI
  1. The Illusion of Power
  2. Get A Grip
  3. Can't Get Close Enough
  4. Shaking Off The Chains
  5. I Won't Cry For You
  6. Guilty As Hell
  7. Sick And Tired
  8. Rusty Angels
  9. Forbidden
  10. Kiss Of Death
  11. Loser Gets It All (Japanese bonus track)
  • Tony Martin
  • Tony Iommi
  • Neil Murray
  • Geoff Nichols
  • Cozy Powell



The Sabbath Stones  COMPILATION
1996 IRS
  1. Headless Cross
  2. When Death Calls
  3. Devil And Daughter
  4. The Sabbath Stones
  5. The Battle Of Tyr
  6. Odin's Court
  7. Valhalla
  8. TV Crimes
  9. Virtual Death
  10. Evil Eye
  11. Kiss Of Death
  12. Guilty As Hell
  13. Loser Gets It All
  14. Disturbing The Priest
  15. Heart Like A Wheel
  16. The Shining

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


Reunion  LIVE
1998 Sony
  1. War Pigs
  2. Behind The Wall Of Sleep
  3. N.I.B.
  4. Fairies Wear Boots
  5. Electric Funeral
  6. Sweet Leaf
  7. Spiral Architect
  8. Into The Void
  9. Snowblind
  10. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
  11. Orchid/Lord Of This World
  12. Dirty Women
  13. Black Sabbath
  14. Iron Man
  15. Children Of The Grave
  16. Paranoid
  17. Psycho Man
  18. Selling My Soul
  • Ozzy Osbourne
  • Tony Iommi
  • Geezer Butler
  • Geoff Nichols
  • Bill Ward

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


Past Lives  LIVE
2002
  1. Tomorrow's Dream
  2. Sweet Leaf
  3. Killing Yourself
  4. Cornucopia
  5. Snowblind
  6. Children of the Grave
  7. War Pigs
  8. Wicked World
  9. Paranoid
  10. Hand of Doom
  11. Hole in the Sky
  12. Symptom of the Universe
  13. Megalomania
  14. Iron Man
  15. Black Sabbath
  16. NIB
  17. Behind the Wall of Sleep
  18. Fairies Wear Boots



Live At Hammersmith Odeon 
2007
  1. E5150
  2. Neon Knights
  3. N.I.B.
  4. Children Of The Sea
  5. Country Girl
  6. Black Sabbath
  7. War Pigs
  8. Slipping Away
  9. Iron Man
  10. The Mob Rules
  11. Heaven And Hell
  12. Paranoid
  13. Voodoo
  14. Children Of The Grave



Classic Albums: Paranoid 
2010 Eagle Vision


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