Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath

doom metal, hard rock, heavy metal, traditional heavy metal

United Kingdom Est. 1968 Disbanded 2017

About

Sound in a sentence: "The music is characterized by slow, grinding riffs that create a dense atmosphere of impending doom while allowing space for haunting melodies to resonate."
Black Sabbath reshaped the landscape of rock music, serving as a cultural touchstone for the emergence of heavy metal. Their dark, brooding sound and lyrical themes introduced a new aesthetic that resonated with listeners searching for a soundtrack to their anxieties and existential dread.
Black Sabbath reshaped the landscape of rock music, serving as a cultural touchstone for the emergence of heavy metal. Their dark, brooding sound and lyrical themes introduced a new aesthetic that resonated with listeners searching for a soundtrack to their anxieties and existential dread. By tapping into societal fears and personal turmoil, they created a musical environment where rebellion and introspection could coexist, paving the way for future generations of artists to explore similar depths. Their innovative approach combined crushing riffs with ominous atmospheres, often employing extended instrumental sections that allowed tension to build before erupting into cathartic release. This method not only redefined song structures but also emphasized the emotional weight of their music—transforming raw power into a vehicle for storytelling. They used dynamics to manipulate listener responses, often alternating between haunting melodies and thunderous crescendos. Lyrically, Black Sabbath frequently delves into themes of despair, the occult, and societal disillusionment, blending sincerity with an almost theatrical irony. Their writing oscillates between vivid storytelling and impressionistic imagery, creating an unsettling yet compelling narrative landscape that invites reflection on darker aspects of life.

Discography

95 releases • 60 studio • 1961–2018
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Albums ()

Supersonic Years: The Seventies Singles Box Set

Supersonic Years: The Seventies Singles Box Set

2018

The End: Live in Birmingham

The End: Live in Birmingham

2017

The Ultimate Collection

The Ultimate Collection

2016

Live... Gathered in Their Masses

Live... Gathered in Their Masses

2013

13

13

2013

The Vinyl Collection 1970–1978

The Vinyl Collection 1970–1978

2012

Iron Man: The Best of Black Sabbath

Iron Man: The Best of Black Sabbath

2012

Greatest Hits

Greatest Hits

2009

The Rules of Hell

The Rules of Hell

2008

Live at Hammersmith Odeon

Live at Hammersmith Odeon

2007

The Dio Years

The Dio Years

2007

Heaven & Hell: Live at Radio City Music Hall

Heaven & Hell: Live at Radio City Music Hall

2007

Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath

2006

Greatest Hits 1970–1978

Greatest Hits 1970–1978

2006

Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath 1970–1978

Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath 1970–1978

2004

Symptom of the Universe: The Original Black Sabbath 1970–1978

Symptom of the Universe: The Original Black Sabbath 1970–1978

2002

Past Lives

Past Lives

2002

Rock Champions

Rock Champions

2001

Nativity in Black II

Nativity in Black II

2000

The Best of Black Sabbath

The Best of Black Sabbath

2000

Reunion

Reunion

1998

The Sabbath Stones

The Sabbath Stones

1996

Under Wheels of Confusion

Under Wheels of Confusion

1996

Forbidden

Forbidden

1995

Cross Purposes – Live

Cross Purposes – Live

1995

Between Heaven and Hell

Between Heaven and Hell

1995

Cross Purposes

Cross Purposes

1994

Dehumanizer

Dehumanizer

1992

The Collection

The Collection

1992

The Ozzy Osbourne Years

The Ozzy Osbourne Years

1991

Tyr

Tyr

1990

Headless Cross

Headless Cross

1989

Blackest Sabbath

Blackest Sabbath

1989

Backtrackin’

Backtrackin’

1989

The Eternal Idol

The Eternal Idol

1987

Seventh Star

Seventh Star

1986

The Sabbath Collection

The Sabbath Collection

1985

Born Again

Born Again

1983

Live Evil

Live Evil

1982

Mob Rules

Mob Rules

1981

Live at Last

Live at Last

1980

Heaven and Hell

Heaven and Hell

1980

Never Say Die!

Never Say Die!

1978

Rock Heavies

Rock Heavies

1978

Greatest Hits

Greatest Hits

1977

Technical Ecstasy

Technical Ecstasy

1976

Star Gold

Star Gold

1976

The Original Black Sabbath

The Original Black Sabbath

1976

We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' Roll

We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' Roll

1975

Sabotage

Sabotage

1975

Attention! - Black Sabbath Volume One

Attention! - Black Sabbath Volume One

1975

Reflection

Reflection

1975

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

1973

Vol. 4

Vol. 4

1972

Master of Reality

Master of Reality

1971

Attention! Black Sabbath Volume Two

Attention! Black Sabbath Volume Two

1971

Paranoid

Paranoid

1970

Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath

1970

Anno Domini 1989–1995

Anno Domini 1989–1995

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