What Are You Listening To?

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

This week's album listens.

[Susan Foreman]

Happy 74th birthday to Dave Brock, vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist and oscillatorist with Hawkwind

[Justin101]

Dimebag would have been 50 today!

[Susan Foreman]

Born on August 20th, 1949, Phil Lynott, bassist and vocalist with Thin Lizzy

[Susan Foreman]

Happy 68th birthday to 'Percy' Plant

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

I don't know about you but today the weather was terrible with me. Howling winds and on and off heavy rain with scattered intervals of hot sun in between.

Perfect to go into my summer house and listen to Black Sabbath's debut album.

Released in 1970, this self titled album is a stone cold heavy metal classic. Not because it's 46 years old but because here, today in summer 2016 it's still as relevant and vital as ever.

It's almost the complete package. From it's eerie outer gatefold sleeve to it's inside with poem and inverted cross, it remains one of the creepiest album covers in music.

Ah yes, the music. Black Sabbath is my favourite album by the band, in fact it's probably in my top twenty of all time. Seven potent songs of dread and despair. from the harrowing Gothic rain soaked title track which opens side A to the powerful and numbing N.I.B. that closes it, the first side of the album is probably the finest half slab of vinyl in my collection. Thunderous riffing from Tony Iommi and mournful and painful vocals from Ossie Osbourne showcase a sound that grabs you by the throat and forgets to let go. Ossie is so good here when he cries 'My name is Lucifer, please take my hand' on N.I.B. you really believe he is the Devil and a chill shudders down your spine.

Side 2 isn't as effective. Evil Woman is a great start even though it's a cover version, it feels like a continuation of side one and i've always felt it was the reason and song behind the cover art. However the last two songs on the side (There are only three in total) are fillers, especially the ten minute odd The Warning which seems to be merely a showcase for Iommi to play the blues.

Many people prefer second album Paranoid to this debut but to me the first five songs on Black Sabbath are what makes heavy music so special, and i'm not the only one, as those five songs went on to influence a whole host of musicians and bands over the years and in effect invented the musical genres of Stoner, Goth and even Grunge. Black Sabbath is indeed a true watershed album.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Ah yes, the music. Black Sabbath is my favourite album by the band, in fact it's probably in my top twenty of all time. Seven potent songs of dread and despair. from the harrowing Gothic rain soaked title track which opens side A to the powerful and numbing N.I.B. that closes it, the first side of the album is probably the finest half slab of vinyl in my collection. Thunderous riffing from Tony Iommi and mournful and painful vocals from Ossie Osbourne showcase a sound that grabs you by the throat and forgets to let go. Ossie is so good here when he cries 'My name is Lucifer, please take my hand' on N.I.B. you really believe he is the Devil and a chill shudders down your spine.

I thought it was written 'Ozzy Osbourne' – was the spelling changed from 'Ossie' at some point, perhaps later in his career?

The weather is lovely in County Durham, but I will probably give that album a listen today anyway based on your superb write-up.

[Justin101]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

I thought it was written 'Ozzy Osbourne' – was the spelling changed from 'Ossie' at some point, perhaps later in his career?

The weather is lovely in County Durham, but I will probably give that album a listen today anyway based on your superb write-up.

That's how he spelled it on the debut album, it went to Ozzy after that.

Great review Dem, it's not my favourite Sabbath album, that's Master of Reality, but the first 3 albums are all absolutely outstanding pieces of work and I love them all. I'd probably place the debut slightly above Paranoid though.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Thanks guys for the kind words.

I was wondering how an actual album review would go down on here as a change to the usual Youtube songs.

I enjoy reading music reviews as much as film reviews.

[Deadite]

Gloom antidote!