Well this one was bound to be done at some point and here we are. This review is about Black Sabbath and honestly what can I say that hasn’t already been said about them? I mean they invented heavy metal. Some will mostly credit Ozzy Osbourne but heavy metal was invented by four guys: Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward. This band has had many lineup changes with Tony Iommi being the one sole member and yes I’ll be reviewing all of their records. So here we go…

Black Sabbath- this album right here started it all. Myself and so many others would agree that this is the original heavy metal record. It’s dark, evil, and just badass. I mean that opening riff on the first song is just so heavy and dark and the fact that this was made in 1970 and that it still holds up is so impressive. I’ll give this a 10/10

Standouts: Black Sabbath, The Wizard, Wasp / Behind the Wall of Sleep / Bassically / N.I.B

Paranoid- like the first album, this album is another quintessential Sabbath record. It’s got so many hits on it and it’s hard to find anything wrong with this record. I don’t think anyone needs me to say just how classic this record. Another 10/10

Standouts: Rat Salad, Fairies Wear Boots, Electric Funeral

Master of Reality- yet another classic Sabbath record. Man these guys were in a roll and this record is no exception. This one seems just slightly on the experimental side because of the song Orchid which sounds kind of like a song from the medieval times. Now I don’t listen to stoner or doom metal but it’s clear that this album would’ve been a huge influence for those genres. Another 10/10

Standouts: Children of the Grave, Sweet Leaf, Into the Void

Vol. 4- this record is another one of those that is a classic. While not as much of one as say Paranoid, this album contains so many great Sabbath songs. This album contains the song changes which later would be redone with Ozzy and his daughter singing a duet and there are some songs on this that are slightly softer but still a monster of a record. This is another 10/10

Standouts: Under the Sun, Supernaut, Snowblind

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath- so far out of the last four albums, I feel that this is their weakest. That’s not to say that this isn’t a good album because it’s still a great record but after four awesome records, this one is probably where they start to run out of steam. I give this one 9/10

Standouts: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Sabra Cadabra, A National Acrobat

Sabotage- this one has my two,favorite Sabbath songs on it. This has a mix of heavy songs mixed in with some softer and experimental sounding songs. Overall this is another great album and definitely should not be skipped. I give this one 9.5/10

Standouts: Hole in the Sky, Symptom of the Universe, The Writ

Technical Ecstasy- this is one that I had heard about but never bothered to listen to until now. I gotta say it’s a lot different than what I was expecting. The songs are good but they aren’t as dark as previous albums. I was always told that a lot of Ozzy Sabbath fans don’t really care for this one and it’s easy to see why. This isn’t a bad album it’s just different from other Sabbath albums. I give this one 6/10

Standouts: You Won’t Change Me, All Moving Parts (Stand Still), Dirty Women

Never Say Die!-this one would be the last album to have the original lineup on it and it honestly sounds like it could’ve been an Ozzy solo record. It’s not as heavy as previous albums and has keyboards in it. There’s even saxophones on one of the songs and drummer Bill Ward sings the closing song Swinging the Chain which is actually pretty good. This is probably my least favorite album during the Ozzy era. I give it 5/10

Standouts: Swinging the Chain, Shockwave, Never Say Die

Heaven and Hell- this is the first album without Ozzy Osbourne and the first with Ronnie James Dio. This album would also be the last album with drummer Bill Ward. I read somewhere that Tony has a tape of Ozzy singing what would become the song Children of the Sea which I think would be cool to hear. Overall, I really like this record and I think that Dio is a pretty good replacement for Ozzy. This album is also not experimental like the last couple of Sabbath records and it gets back to its rock roots. I give this a 9.5/10

Standouts: Neon Knights, Heaven and Hell, Walk Away

The Mob Rules- the second album with Dio as the singer and the first with new drummer Vinny Appice. Honestly, he is a perfect replacement for Bill Ward. He does a great job drumming or this band and you can tell he is a fan of the band. I know that Heaven and Hell is the more popular record but I actually prefer this record to that one. It’s a heavier record and the riffs and solos are better too. This was one I hadn’t really heard much of until now and this is one of those that should not be skipped. I give this a 10/10

Standouts: The Mob Rules, Slipping Away, Turn Up The Night

Born Again- now we are at that weird era of Sabbath where they have different singers. Ok so I’m this one we have Ian Gillan (Deep Purple) singing on this record. This does not feel like a Sabbath record at all. Their dark heavy sound is gone and been replaced with more of a hard rock sound. This album was recorded in the 80’s and it sounds like it. I know that this was the era where during the tour for this, they had the massive Stonehenge props that were too big for the stage. This is also that record to have that red devil baby on the album cover. I’m pretty sure this was supposed to be a supergroup but I guess there was an obligation to release it under the Sabbath name. The one thing about this is that Bill Ward does play drums on this record. You know in spite of all it’s flaws and the troubled history it’s actually not a bad record and anyone should at least give it a listen. Just go in with an open mind and know that it’s not a typical Sabbath record. I give it 6.5/10

Standouts: Trashed, Zero the Hero, Digital Bitch

Seventh Star- so here we have a almost completely new lineup. The only remaining member is Tony Iommi but now we have Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple) on vocals, Dave Spitz (brother of Dan Spitz from Anthrax) on bass, Eric Singer (KISS) on drums, and Geoff Nicholls on keyboards. I’m pretty sure this was not intended to be released as a Black Sabbath record which explains why it says on the LP cover Black Sabbath featuring Tony Iommi. The sound is definitely more of an 80’s rock record and nothing like a Sabbath record. The vocals can sound flat at times and the songs are softer on this one. However, I would still encourage people to give this a listen to. Again just go into it with an open mind and know that you are in for something totally different. I think had this not been under the Black Sabbath name, it would’ve been received differently. That being said, I am giving this 5/10

Standouts: In For The Kill, Turn to Stone, Heart Like a Wheel

The Eternal Idol- so gone is Glenn Hughes who has now been replaced by Tony Martin and Dave Spitz who has been replaced by Bob Daisly. This record is a little heavier than the previous record and the production is better too. Some of Iommi’s trademark riffs are somewhat present on this and some of these songs feel like they could be in an 80’s horror film. Either way, this album isn’t really that bad. It’s better than the previous album and the record feels more cohesive. I give it 6/10

Standouts: Hard Life to Love, Lost Forever, Ancient Warrior

Headless Cross- the second record to have Tony Martin on vocals and if you listen to this album and the one before it, they go pretty well back to back. I was actually thinking this one was going to not be very good but it’s actually not bad and out of the last few records, it’s the least bad. Brian May from Queen even does a guest guitar solo on the song When Death Calls. This is a pretty solid release and I would’ve been curious to hear Ozzy sing some of these songs live. Overall a pretty solid release. I will give this one 8/10

Standouts: Kill in the Spirit World, When Death Calls, Cloak and Dagger

Tyr- so the last record had a lot of lyrics about the devil and occult stuff. This one is about Norse Mythology. This is the only album to have Neil Murray (Whitesnake) on bass. There’s a good amount of darkness and chanting on this record but and I would actually put this on the same level as the previous record in terms of cohesiveness and sound production. As far as the songs go, they are a little uneven but this record is actually pretty decent. I give this 7/10

Standouts: The Lawmaker, Valhalla, Heaven in Black

Dehumanizer- so now we are back with Ronnie James Dio on vocals, Vinny Appice on drums, and Geezer Butler on bass. Something about this one feels right and this is completely different than the last few albums. Even thought the songs seem a little slower than those on Mob Rules, the riffs are heavier than they have been in awhile and the band you can tell have that chemistry that they had before because it seems like they picked up right where they left off. They song Time Machine is on the Wayne’s World soundtrack. I give this 8.5/10

Standouts: After All, Buried Alive, I

Cross Purposes- so after Dehumanizer, Dio and Vinny Appice left and Tony Martin was back on vocals and Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow) was brought in on drums. Out of all the Tony Martin era albums, this one seems to be the heaviest and there are some pretty decent guitar riffs on this album. Overall, not bad I give it 8/10

Standouts: Psychophobia, Virtual Death, Evil Eye

Forbidden- here we come to the final album with Tony Martin on vocals. This would be the last album to have Neil Murray on bass and drummer Cozy Powell (who had been the drummer for most of the Tony Martin era). This one is probably the weakest of all the Tony Martin era albums. I was a little leery going into this one because I had heard that this was such a terrible album but honestly I don’t get a lot of the hate that this album gets. The riffs are pretty good and the songs are in the same vein as other Tony Martin releases. Also you had Body Count guitarist Ernie C produce and mix the album. I mean is it groundbreaking? No it’s not but it’s still a pretty decent album. I know that shortly after this album was released, Ozzy and Tony reconciled and that’s when the reunions started happening. I don’t know but I think this isn’t as bad as people say it is. I give it 8.5/10

Standouts: Get a Grip, Shaking off the Chains, Forbidden

The Devil You Know- the final album with Dio on it and yes I know that it’s under the name Heaven and Hell but I am counting this as a Sabbath album. This album is a solid album from start to finish. I personally would’ve like to hear some songs slightly sped up but overall, a very solid record and a good final album from Dio era Sabbath. RIP Ronnie James Dio. I give this 8/10

Standouts- Rock and Roll Angel, Neverwhere, Follow the Tears

13- so here we are the last Black Sabbath album ever. This one has Ozzy back on vocals, Geezer Butler on bass, and Rage Against the Machine Drummer Brad Wilk which is a great choice for drums. The album sounds the way Sabbath should. It’s got that dark and heavy sound that we heard on earlier releases only with much better production. It’s got elements of Master of Reality and Never Say Die which makes a great combination. I kinda would’ve liked to have some songs a little faster on this one as well but overall, this is a fantastic album and a good album to go out on. I give it a very solid 9/10

Standouts- Loner, Methademic, Peace of Mind

Wow that was an interesting look into Black Sabbath and up until now I hadn’t really listened to the other albums. Despite their rocky history it’s easy to see why they have remained the fathers of heavy metal even if they have some odd ball albums. Overall, they have a very solid and excellent discography and I really think that people should listen to the Tony Martin albums. I was pleasantly surprised by them as I think they are quite good and solid albums. My biggest regret like with Motörhead is not seeing them more when I had the chance. And yes I still like Black Sabbath better than Ozzy Osbourne solo stuff.

#allsabbathalbumsmatter

Final Grade: A+

Album Rankings:

1. Black Sabbath
2. Sabotage
3. Master of Reality
4. Mob Rules
5. Vol. 4
6. Paranoid
7. Heaven and Hell
8. 13
9. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
10. Dehumanizer
11. Forbidden
12. Headless Cross
13. Cross Purposes
14. The Devil You Know
15. The Eternal Idol
16. Tyr
17. Born Again
18. Technical Ecstasy
19. Seventh Star
20. Never Say Die!