Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath

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

United Kingdom Est. 1968 Disbanded 2017

"The music is characterized by slow, grinding riffs that create a dense atmosphere of impending doom while allowing space for haunting melodies to resonate."

Quick Start

A good place to start with Black Sabbath is…

Master of Reality

Master of Reality

1971

Black Sabbath reshaped the landscape of rock music, serving as a cultural touchstone for the emergence of heavy metal.
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.

Full discography

Black Sabbath's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

93 releases 59 albums 1 EP 1961–2024
Type:

Albums ()

Supersonic Years: The Seventies Singles Box Set album by Black Sabbath

Supersonic Years: The Seventies Singles Box Set

2018

The End: Live in Birmingham album by Black Sabbath

The End: Live in Birmingham

2017

The Ultimate Collection album by Black Sabbath

The Ultimate Collection

2016

Live... Gathered in Their Masses album by Black Sabbath

Live... Gathered in Their Masses

2013

13 album by Black Sabbath

13

2013

The Vinyl Collection 1970–1978 album by Black Sabbath

The Vinyl Collection 1970–1978

2012

Iron Man: The Best of Black Sabbath album by Black Sabbath

Iron Man: The Best of Black Sabbath

2012

Greatest Hits album by Black Sabbath

Greatest Hits

2009

The Rules of Hell album by Black Sabbath

The Rules of Hell

2008

Live at Hammersmith Odeon album by Black Sabbath

Live at Hammersmith Odeon

2007

The Dio Years album by Black Sabbath

The Dio Years

2007

Heaven & Hell: Live at Radio City Music Hall album by Black Sabbath

Heaven & Hell: Live at Radio City Music Hall

2007

Black Sabbath album by Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath

2006

Greatest Hits 1970–1978 album by Black Sabbath

Greatest Hits 1970–1978

2006

Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath 1970–1978 album by Black Sabbath

Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath 1970–1978

2004

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

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

2002

Past Lives album by Black Sabbath

Past Lives

2002

Rock Champions album by Black Sabbath

Rock Champions

2001

The Best of Black Sabbath album by Black Sabbath

The Best of Black Sabbath

2000

Nativity in Black II album by Black Sabbath

Nativity in Black II

2000

Reunion album by Black Sabbath

Reunion

1998

The Sabbath Stones album by Black Sabbath

The Sabbath Stones

1996

Under Wheels of Confusion album by Black Sabbath

Under Wheels of Confusion

1996

Forbidden album by Black Sabbath

Forbidden

1995

Cross Purposes – Live album by Black Sabbath

Cross Purposes – Live

1995

Between Heaven and Hell album by Black Sabbath

Between Heaven and Hell

1995

Cross Purposes album by Black Sabbath

Cross Purposes

1994

Dehumanizer album by Black Sabbath

Dehumanizer

1992

The Collection album by Black Sabbath

The Collection

1992

The Ozzy Osbourne Years album by Black Sabbath

The Ozzy Osbourne Years

1991

Tyr album by Black Sabbath

Tyr

1990

Headless Cross album by Black Sabbath

Headless Cross

1989

Blackest Sabbath album by Black Sabbath

Blackest Sabbath

1989

Backtrackin’ album by Black Sabbath

Backtrackin’

1989

The Eternal Idol album by Black Sabbath

The Eternal Idol

1987

Seventh Star album by Black Sabbath

Seventh Star

1986

The Sabbath Collection album by Black Sabbath

The Sabbath Collection

1985

Born Again album by Black Sabbath

Born Again

1983

Live Evil album by Black Sabbath

Live Evil

1982

Mob Rules album by Black Sabbath

Mob Rules

1981

Live at Last album by Black Sabbath

Live at Last

1980

Heaven and Hell album by Black Sabbath

Heaven and Hell

1980

Never Say Die! album by Black Sabbath

Never Say Die!

1978

Rock Heavies album by Black Sabbath

Rock Heavies

1978

Greatest Hits album by Black Sabbath

Greatest Hits

1977

Technical Ecstasy album by Black Sabbath

Technical Ecstasy

1976

The Original Black Sabbath album by Black Sabbath

The Original Black Sabbath

1976

Star Gold album by Black Sabbath

Star Gold

1976

We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' Roll album by Black Sabbath

We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' Roll

1975

Sabotage album by Black Sabbath

Sabotage

1975

Attention! - Black Sabbath Volume One album by Black Sabbath

Attention! - Black Sabbath Volume One

1975

Reflection album by Black Sabbath

Reflection

1975

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath album by Black Sabbath

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

1973

Vol. 4 album by Black Sabbath

Vol. 4

1972

Master of Reality album by Black Sabbath

Master of Reality

1971

Attention! Black Sabbath Volume Two album by Black Sabbath

Attention! Black Sabbath Volume Two

1971

Paranoid album by Black Sabbath

Paranoid

1970

Black Sabbath album by Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath

1970

Anno Domini 1989–1995 album by Black Sabbath

Anno Domini 1989–1995

2024

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Timeline

How their sound evolved over time

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Black Sabbath sound like?

The music is characterized by slow, grinding riffs that create a dense atmosphere of impending doom while allowing space for haunting melodies to resonate. Rooted in hard rock and heavy metal. Start with Black Sabbath.

What is the best Black Sabbath album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Black Sabbath" (2006). It's the most representative of what makes Black Sabbath worth hearing.

Who is Black Sabbath for?

If you're into hard rock and heavy metal, Black Sabbath is worth your time. The music is characterized by slow, grinding riffs that create a dense atmosphere of impending doom while allowing space for haunting melodies to resonate.

How many albums does Black Sabbath have?

Black Sabbath has 93 releases in their discography, including 59 albums and 1 EP.