Black Sabbath
The essential Black Sabbath records, ranked — where to start and what to reach for next.
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1Master of RealityBlack SabbathStart here
Master of Reality
Down-tuned and even heavier, the record that seeded both doom and stoner metal. Sludgy, dark and pioneering. Essential Sabbath.
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2ParanoidBlack SabbathClassic
Paranoid
The album that effectively founded heavy metal, riff after monstrous riff from 'War Pigs' to 'Iron Man'. Heavy, doom-laden and impossibly influential. Year zero for the genre.
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3Black SabbathBlack SabbathClassic
Black Sabbath
The debut that effectively invented heavy metal, dark and doom-laden. Heavy and historic. Year zero for the genre.
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4Vol. 4Black SabbathClassic
Vol. 4
A heavier, more experimental peak, home to 'Supernaut' and 'Snowblind'. Sludgy and assured. A devotee favourite.
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5Sabbath Bloody SabbathBlack SabbathClassic
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
A more sophisticated peak balancing heaviness with melody and strings. Ambitious and beloved. A high point.
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6Heaven and HellBlack SabbathClassic
Heaven and Hell
A triumphant Dio-fronted reinvention of melodic metal. Powerful and beloved. A late peak.
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7SabotageBlack SabbathDeep cut
Sabotage
A heavy, varied peak of the original line-up. Powerful and underrated. A fan favourite.
- Paranoid from Paranoid · on Best Metal Songs of All Time
Tracks we've featured in our best-of lists — tap a title to find it on Amazon Music.