My All Time Fave Albums Pt.13

Hi again! It's been awhile, been busy and not overly motivated to blog...but here I go again!  This time around I'm going with Black Sabbath, and I'm going with two albums instead of one because both eras with Ozzy and Dio are pretty damn good.  Both eras and vocalists are legendary, and I like both, so today's faves are 1972's Volume 4, and 1980's Heaven and Hell. 

My first real introduction to Sabbath was through their classic comp, We Sold Our Souls For Rock And Roll.  I got it in the mail one day through Columbia House (remember them?) by accident, and decided to keep it.  I'm glad that I did.  Black Sabbath really opened the doors of Metal for me, and to this day I still believe every great Metal riff has been stolen from one of Sabbath's first 6 albums, and from Priest as well, but that is another story.

I was just spinning Vol 4 the other day, and am still blown away that this album was recorded 40 years ago.  It is still as fresh, exciting and as relevant as it was then.  The early Sabbath stuff is great for sure ,but I have always leaned towards the holy trinity of Vol 4, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Sabotage.  They really started to take some chances and try some unique ideas.

The songs that really set me on fire from on Vol 4 are: the first single, Tomorow's Dream (a classic), Changes (probably the best ballad ever written), Supernaut (that riff!), Cornucopia (the template for every stoner/doom band since) and Snowblind (it's not about winter).

As we all know, after Ozzy left the band they continued on with the mighty Ronnie James Dio.  What we were not expecting was the absolute tour de force they would release in Heaven and Hell.  The big improvement here is that RJD is probably the greatest Metal vocalist of all time (along with Rob Halford), and he shines all over this album.  Heaven and Hell is the perfect blend of Rising and Master Of Reality.

I remember actually being a bit afraid of this album, just with the spooky imagery, and the original videos.  But once I got it, I got it.  Side 1 of this album may be the best side of music Sabbath ever did.  Neon Knights, Children Of The Sea, Lady Evil and the classic title track. Die Young and Lonley Is The Word from Side 2 are two of the bands best tunes as well.

Again like Vol 4, this album hasn't aged.  It is still is a brilliant listen to this day.  It is so heavy, yet there is a bit of something else that makes it a bit more special than some of the Ozzy records.  Could be that I was really getting into Metal when this record came out.

So for any younger fans of Hard Rock and Metal ,I suggest you look these two up.  Totally different in sound and scope, but both are essential listening.  I'm going to listen to them both now.  Until next time!  Here is a clip of Sabbath performing Snowblind.