I give them props for being the first true metal band. I am just not that big of a fan of the sound of Sabbath. The early stuff tends to sound the same to me. I actually prefer Dio as the singer to Ozzy. They have some good songs and riffs but I don't listen to them that often.

These are the founding fathers of metal. The classic Sabbath albums contain that thick bass and are somewhat slow and plodding. They lose a star because they have a few really bad albums. Technical Ecstasy is horrid.

Two Words: Tony Iommi

i love every sabbath disk even the later ones with Tony Martin,i know alot of people find them evil or satanic but to me they are uplifting,my faves are:Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Mob Rules .

Metal starts here...

I like their first few albums but, lost interest at about the "Never Say Die" era. They were innovative and I liked their tough, dark sound. But, I also agree that they have spawned as many (if not more) awful bands recently than they have spawned good ones. I also find Ozzy to be an annoying, burned out cliche and wish that he would just go away. I never liked his solo stuff either.

I acknowledge they are the pioneers of metal and in Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi they have 2 influential and innovative players. Apart from 'Paranoid' they just dont really float by boat, although they did inspire some bands I like e.g. Soundgarden but then again they also inspired sheer crap such as death metal.

dman1965, can you share with us your REASONS for that statement, please? I know this is a place for reviews, so that's why I'm asking. Thanks!

The Best Band of The 1970's

Tony Iommi on guitar, that's all I need to say!!

Great bass player, and a few cool tunes, but thats about it. I prefer RJ Dio's voice to that blubbering other guy. "Heaven And Hell" rocked!

To me, these guys define metal. They've had an influence on so many bands it's ridiculous. I can't say I'm even that big of a fan but I know what this band means to alot of "metal heads" and that they've put their stamp on rock history.

Black Sabbath were probably not the earliest band to play 'heavy metal,' there are quite a few others who could plausibly be said to have been the first. But heavy metal as it commonly defined would simply not exist without them, and they are THE archetype of the genre, and quite a unique band for the time in so many ways. I've rated them before on this site, so I won't go on too long, but at their peak in the early to mid 70's they were truly great.

Black Sabbath kicks but. Tony Iommi was a great gutarist.

How anyone one can call Black Sabbath wannabees is beyond me. They were THE first true hard rock band. They completly changed rock music and revolutionized the heavy metal guitar. If not for them we wouldnt have the hard rock and metal music we do today. Besides, King Diamond formed in 1985, Sabbath formed in 1969. Get your facts straight Lucifer9.

PIONEERS of hard rock/metal, along with early Scorpions with Uli Roth. You can't touch Sabbath... 1,000 stars!!! Iommi's riffs and solos are UNGODLY!!! Long live Black Sabbath.

KEEP ON ROCKING BLACK SABBATH!! I SURE LOVE THAT ROCK AND ROLL BEAT!!! But I personally dont like satanic lyrics, okay yes im a christian, but i dont like satanic words and lyrics, BUT I LOVE ROCK MUSIC, ITS the wording I beware of!!! If it mentions something of demonic stature, i dont listen to it,If its a positive lyrics,of happiness, and joy of life, far out and right on!!!!

Best heavy metal band of all time, so what if they are into satan, their music is the best

KING DIAMOND wannabees.

They were good but a bunch of posers now . And I agree with the sellout thing.

i liked black sabbath in the ozzy days they are the ones that really started heavy metal

Why they are not in the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame is both a mystery and a travesty, as far as I'm concerned. THIS is the band that signaled the death knell of the ideologically driven 60's, and this is the thanks they get? Tony, Bill, Geezer, and Ozzy created a sound that is both timeless, and yes even thought provoking. Songs like, Lord of this World Meglomania and their self titled debut, challenged new listeners with dark, imaginative lyrics, and a heavy mercurial sound that certainly bucked the trends of that day. Rock&Roll Rebels each and every one of them... Sabotage is my favorite Sabbath album.

this band made heavy metal,ozzy didnt know a thign about music but brought great energy to every song,even now when he is basicaly brain damaged he sings with alot of passion,geezer is amazing same with tony and his amazing riffs and bill is incredible,ozzy is one of the best singers of all time,geezer is one of the best bassists of all time tony for guitar and bill for drumming,each member has immense skill

With out a doubt, one of the BEST and MOST INFLUENTIAL metal bands of all time.

One of the first and true pioneers of hard core rock n roll. A little on the dark side but the music reigns supreme. Great band with great musicians that had great careers outside of this band.

I saw them, I think in 1971 or 1972 at the Hollywood Bowl. They were incredible. We were in the very last row, but it didn't matter, it was Black Sabbath.

they suck. full of crap

5 for the Ozzy Years

cant say im a great big fan but i love iron man. hey that rhymes. boy am i lame.

the GODS of heavy metal..

First rock concert I ever attended was at Madison Sq. Garden in Ny, Dec. 5, 1976, a double bill of Ted Nugent and Black Sabbath. After Nugent blew out my eardrums, I waited 2 hours for Sabbath. I heard later that the reason for the lateness was because Ozzy was f***ed up backstage. Didn't matter to me. When they came onstage, I thought they were the greatest thing I had ever seen or heard. Whether Ozzy was drunk, stoned, or sober, I was enthralled. I kinda stopped following them a year or so before Ozzy left the group, but I still listen to their best stuff with great love and reverence. They were great musicians and their best stuff touched me deep to the core of my teenage soul.

best songs Black Sabbath, War Pigs, Paranoid, and Iron Man Ozzy Does Kick Ass

THE seminal,quintessential Heavy Metal Kings.Who played ANYTHING like that before them?Of course,they bombed without Ozzy.Any of their original albums will to this day stand up with the best Metal.Hugely influential to all Heavy bands that followed in their wake.

The best band of ALL time!!!!! All hail Ozzy,Tony,Geezer,and Bill!!!!! The Dio Albums were REALLY good, but the original linup's records were CLASSIC MASTERPIECES!!!! Especially the first 6 albums!!! Black Sabbath, Paranoid, Master Of Reality, Vol.4, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,and Sabotage, are all MUST OWN albums for any fan of hard rock/heavy metal!!!!

The original line up was the greatest.. Ozzy,geezer,Bill and Tommy. They made great music when they were together. Then Ozzy got kicked out and the band wasn't that great.. but their live stuff all together still kicks major ass..

Ironman is a great song. They were rated the #2 hard rock band of all-time. Ozzy is a good frontman. It's pretty fun to listen to their music.

At the time of this albums release there was nothing at all like it.It was so strange that nearly all critics shunned it,truth be told they were frightened by what they didn't understand...little did they envision that 34 years after this recording was made it would be hailed as the Holy Grail to all that is heavy in music.One thing about this album that is always been overlooked is its clearness and clarity, its just never mentioned. I play in a band with a rather elaborate and large PA, and whenever I put this old CD on its detail is stunning. I always have to bring the high frequencies way down, I realize that newer recordings have a certain tightness and dynamic to them but this first Black Sabbath album recorded in 69'is just so sharp and clean, its suprising to think it was made for around $1000 and only took two 6 hour sessions to record.Its especially amazing when you compare this album to any of the big production groups of 69',for example -the Rolling Stones or the Who or even the Beatles...when compared to that first Sabbath album they sound sonically dead.Its also interesting to note how only on this first album did Ozzy's voice have a certain raspy,clear and almost baritone quality to it,much better I think then the later Sabbath albums and of course his solo crap.Of course I must mention Bill Wards playing (excellent Jazz and off beat work)and Tony Iommi's frightfull de-tuned minor chords,sustain and clarity but what I think is really Black Sabbaths soul is TerryGeezerButlers playing on this and all Black Sabbath albums,I can't even begin to say how under-rated this guy is,he approaches his bass playing like a jazz or progressive drummer,his playing truly complements and leads Iommi's guitar parts around,and although there are many incredible bassist's I've never seen one live that has his particular energy and style...not to mention it was his idea for the name Black Sabbath and that he wrote nearly all the old lyrics.

There will NEVER be another Black Sabbath (Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward). There are no other bands out there that give me such GIGANTIC goose-bumps every single time I put on ANY of the songs. Can I ask a question to the non-Black Sabbath listeners? What Sabbath songs do you know beside War Pigs, Paranoid, and Iron Man? (all great songs anyway) Suggestion: Before you criticize the best band in the world, why don't you go and spend some time at a music store and listen to ALL the Black Sabbath albums. I guarantee it that you'll like them and wind up collecting them.(That is if you are a metal/rock fan). Cool Black Sabbath site: http://www.geocities.com/sabbathgirl1961b/blacksabbath.html :-) Jane

If you're looking for the definition of what a rock/metal band is and what one could do, Black Sabbath is that definition. They are the starting point to every inspiration in hard rock music.

Black Sabbath is my favorite band of all time. Most people have only heard songs from "Parnoid", their second album. I would strongly recommend that the naysayers listen to "Volume 4", "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", and "Sabotage" to gain a more complete perspective of this fantastic blues influenced band. Tony Iommi is the master of the guitar riff. Geezer Butler's slithering basslines complimented Iommi's guitar and helped to create the epic feel of many songs. Bill Ward is an underrated drummer. His effortless use of well-timed fills and he used drumbeats to enhance the overall songs; he was never just a background drummer. Then there's Ozzy. Ozzy Osbourne never sounded better than when he was the frontman for Black Sabbath. His range was never the best, but his mocking, rebellious delvery combined with thoughtful, sometimes snide lyrics blew me away. Ozzy's voive speaks to me in ways no other singer has ever been able to duplicate. Black Sabbath's music was thunderously heavy one minute and surprisingly moving the next. I get goosebumps at how well these songs come across. I'm into my third decade as a Black Sabbath fan and those 8 Ozzy albums (+ the Dio and Gillan albums) still get played on a regular basis. No band in history has been so undeservedly shunned like Black Sabbath. Even their more recent upswing in popularity does not do them justice. Favorite album: "Sabotage".

Black Sabbath started heavy metal. Without them we might still be listening to disco. Not everyone likes them. I don't care if people put them down because I realize that they either listen to rap or boy bands. Of course neither counts as real music.

After the Beatles, the most creative and influential rock band of all time. With Oz, that is. Peiod.

A friend of mine kept going on and on about this band, so I bought a tape of theirs. That's seven bucks I'll never get back. Noise. That's all it was. Loud, Obnoxious, Unfocused Noise.

OZZY KICKS ASS!!!!!

Awesome. FYI, Ozzy solo -- shallow and sukky

Great pioneers of heavy metal. They paved the way for a lot of metal artists.

Terence Butler was a very underrated bassist. Black Sabbath is what a rock band should be- full of drugs, playing loud, smashing hotel rooms, and worshipping the devil. I hate rock today. Black Sab had great lyrics, terrific music,. . .the bands they inspired are too numerous to mention. Black Sabbath is responsible for the term HEAVY METAL (A NY critic described the sound of their first album as 'heavy metal crashing from the sky) The formula for rock is easy- crazy lead singer, drummer (or someone else) O.D.'s, and live on the edge. Bands today are weak.

The heavy metal originators. With out them, MetallicA, MegadetH, Iced Earth, and bands of the sort would have never existed. They are truely pioneers.

most awesome heavy mood music of all time, fathers of 'doom & gloom' hard rock/heavy metal, most underrated guitarist of all time, Tony Iommi mixed blues/jazz with minor/modal riffage to create a genre that is still being heavily copied and carried on today (and tomorrow)

I'm not a huge fan, but they sure did make an incredible ruckus, eh? I used to think that Ozzy is an idiot. I still do. But there is a certain freshness to their inmistakable hard rock sound that makes me want more. "War Pigs" and "Paranoid" are both good songs. They are a good group of musicians.

hell yeah, i absolutely love black sabbath. ozzy kicks ass.

Great name for a goth band, but their music is not something I enjoy

Black Sabbath are THE Founders of heavy music. if you like heavy stuff, you owe them some sort of respect. Especially with Dio.. Cause Dio kick serious @ss, too. Anyone who think black sabbath broke up is probably ignorant as anything(probably the type of people who think crazy train was done by black sabbath and that there is no difference between solo ozzy and sabbath)- as they released records throughout the 80's, such as born again (Even the band admits the cover sucked), with Ian Gillan on vocals, and The Eternal Idol, Headless Cross,DIO era stuff, such as Heaven and Hell, And Mob Rules,and Dehumanzier.

One of the best bands of all time, who have influenced just about every metal band on the planet. I also think that 'Never Say Die' and 'Technical Ectasy' are very underrated albums, and are easily as good as 'Vol 4' or 'Masters Of Reality.' I even like Sabbath with Dio, Gillan and Hughes as vocalists. As for Tony Martin...

Black Sabbath are one of my all time fav. bands! The 1st heavy metal band and one of the best! Their songs are so original and Tony's guitar riffs are just unreal! Damn good band and no one rocks like them!!!

Nobody rocked like this band rocked. NOBODY.

danSuperstar...i'm 14 yrs old and I don't think i'm a loser. Black Sabbath are and will always be the best metal band ever! I can't wait to see them all back together for Ozzfest's upcomming tour!

Metal pioneers but actually very inconsistent. The first few albums were excellent, but Never Say Die and Techinical Ecstasy were horrible. Actually their most complete were was two Dio led albums Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules. After that every album has been horrible. Original singer Ozzy Osbourne is much better as a solo artist.

I've always liked this band.

What the Hell is Sabbath doing this low down??? Is this site only visited by 13 yr old Losers? SABBATH INVENTED METAL. NOW I AINT GONNA LIE TO ANYBODY, but really Sabbath can't be fairly rated unless there are two seperate votes... 1- SABBATH WITH OZZY, which would get 5 stars, 2- SABBATH WITH RONNIE JAMES DIO, -2 stars, DIO SUCKS.

I give 'em four for the memories. They were a great, great band from 1970-79. I don't really pay much attention to anything after that.

I do not have very much ot say about Sabbath, but I do know that 'Crazy Train' is one of the best rock n roll songs that I have ever heard. You gotta love Ozzy. I used to think he was such a loser and a cheesey jerk off, but now I just know he is a freak and I kindof admire some of his music from back in the day.