There's a lot of argument as to where metal's origins lie. Many will point at heavy psych bands like Iron Butterfly, or highly influential hard rock bands like Led Zeppelin. But for me, the first metal band has always been Black Sabbath. No band before Sabbath was ever as consistently heavy and evil sounding; nor has any other band been anywhere near as influential to the many decades of metal musicians that would follow. By extension of the assertion that Black Sabbath was the first metal band, their self titled debut is the first metal album. However, with that said the question remains: is it a good album? I think most would agree with an honest "yeah." [1]
In heavy metal history there aren't many breakthroughs, not many legendary bands, not many genius deeds. But those who are like this - are true black pearls. Black Sabbath IS a legend, no need to prove it, you know it, or rather simply feel it. 13th February 1970 is the date which started heavy metal. Then some guys from Birmingham started it all by playing music they liked – a heavier, darker and rawer rock with elements of jazz and blues. Or simply Heavy Metal. I didn’t take much time to become famous. It was a real blitzkrieg. [2]
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This is the culmination of the work of four motley young men from Birmingham England. The lead singer was a dyslexic who had spent some time in jail for breaking and entering with a thin banshee-esque wail. The guitarist had lost the ends of two of his fingers, using thimbles made from a melted plastic bottle and leather straps. The bass player had switched from rhythm guitar upon hearing the music of Cream, and the drummer was apparently incapable (on his own admission) of playing a basic 4/4 rhythm. These four young men seemed not to have a hope in hell. Their initial lineup was formed from the ashes of two local bands, Mythology and Rare Breed, becoming the six-man entity The Polka Tulk Blues Band. After shedding two members, they re-named themselves Earth, and after some time when their new style started to take shape, the group rechristened themselves Black Sabbath, and promptly got a record deal, recording a single (a cover of Crow's Evil Woman) before being fobbed off onto a smaller label. The recording of this album supposedly took place in its entirety on November 11 1969. On February 13 1970, Black Sabbath's first effort was released and the world would be changed forever. [3]
It’s hard to write about something as classical as this album. On one hand you don’t want to desecrate the cult and on the other there is no sense in writing about something which isn’t true. One thing is sure – it’s The first heavy metal album – and this simply makes it classical to the genre. [2]
The album begins with an unbelievably brilliant self titled track that more or less defines metal as a genre. The first thing one hears when he or she puts this album on is the sound of rain and a slow distant bell ring. Tony Iommi's legendary saturated, distorted tone cuts in and the first riff is played. Ozzy Osbourne delivers the first lyrics "What is this that stands before me? / Figure in black which points at me / Turn around quick and start to run / Find out I'm the chosen one." In less than a minute Sabbath created a genre that would employ heavy distorted guitar playing, creative and often excessively dark ambience, and lyrics obsessed with evil, mysterious and mystical themes. The first song on the first metal album was a master stroke. Few artists in the history of modern music have been as inventive or influential in their entire careers as this first track. [1]
What puts this album above all the other ’60 and ’70 rock albums? Well, almost everything. There’s a lot of jazz and blues in it combined with truly powerful riffs. And it’s all filled with heavy, thick atmosphere, especially the title track. It doesn’t mean that most tracks are doom like. There are also more energetic and faster tracks. Most tracks are simply progressive. [2]
The album ends with a lengthy (over ten minutes) cover of "Warning," originally performed by The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation. The lyrics have to do with a love affair gone awry, but on this track the band really shines with some truly impressive soloing. Tony Iommi, although perhaps not the greatest metal guitarist ever to live, is probably inarguably the most influential. The fast "sheets of sound" soloing technique played over slower heavy groove oriented rhythm guitar would live on as the predominant metal guitar style for a decide before thrash metal became popular in the early 80's. Near the end of the track, some complicated free improvisation goes on before the band kicks into gear for the last minute or so. [1]
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Technical stuff? What can I say? Ozzy’s voice is known world wide. Guitars? Iommi did brilliantly, he has made metal riffs sound like they do now, just listen to ‘The Wizard’, smashing. Bass plays a great role (unlike most modern metal albums). It isn’t only background. It’s an integral part of the album. Billy Ward did especially well. He mastered drums perfectly; lots of energy and his compositions are very interesting and complicated. [2]
For an album this influential to also be so great to listen to is an absolutely amazing feat. Sabbath gave the people what they wanted (dark, heavy evil) but left the door open for thousands and thousands of bands to walk in their footsteps and go even further. Metal would change as time went on, but Black Sabbath's bass heavy, Satan obsessed, doom inspired and shredding filled debut lives on as one of the most astounding musical accomplishments of the 20th century. [1]
TRACKS
- Black Sabbath
- The Wizard
- Behind the Wall of Sleep
- N.I.B.
- Evil Woman (Don't Play Your Games With Me)
- Sleeping Village
- The Warning
- Wicked World
If you like it, please buy their original CD or Digital Album on official website/store.
This reviews are written by Liontime, Stachu and Radiohater on Metallum.
- Liontime, Black Sabbath, www.metal-archives.com
- Stachu, Black Sabbath, www.metal-archives.com
- Radiohater, Where It All Began, www.metal-archives.com
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