Black Sabbath’s Immortal Numbers - Part I

Black Sabbath, the legendary band from England, gave birth to the genre of music we love to call METAL. With dark lyrics and, an even darker sound Black Sabbath changed the definition of what was considered heavy music. Rock music was no longer the bad boy of music anymore, in fact Sabbath made rockers of the day look like daisies when they first started thumping auditoriums. Here’s a look at the band’s early works, which would go an extremely long way in educating younger musicians, and future metal heroes in the art of metal….

(1) The Wizard

When one thinks about metal, the first thought that comes to mind are electric guitars, staged in front of mammoth Marshalls, and a royal drumkit, not Harmonicas. Yet, the band used the instrument to kick up a catchy tune or two on this overlooked metal classic.

(2) N.I.B.

N.I.B. is one of the few tracks that get better with every listen. It’s almost impossible to get tired of this track, the loose feel to the song can almost be described as “Psychedelic Metal”.

(3) Paranoid

It’s almost funny how great things get created almost unknowingly. An audience favourite, ‘Paranoid’ was cooked up under a quarter of an hour, and before it’s launch was just considered a filler and was deemed not good enough to be something substantial. The song would become one of the band’s fastest songs, and is often cited as a big influence by bands that emerged in the speed friendly 80s.

(4) War Pigs

Time will tell on their power minds

Making war just for fun

Treating people just like pawns in chess

Wait till their judgement day come, yeah!!

The greatest anti-war song ever written. And for the record, Wars look good in reel life not real life.

(5) Fairies Wear Boots

Unlike what the title would suggest, ‘Fairies Wear Boots’ contains some of the wickedest licks to emerge from the hands of the genius called Tony Iommi.

(6) Iron Man

It is impossible to talk about Black Sabbath and not mention ‘Iron Man’. Easily the band’s most popular number, the song has become so famous that it has overtaken the notable comic character of the same name, and is often mistakenly connected with it.

(7) Solitude

‘Solitude’ is one of the most delicately beautiful ballads, to be penned down by an heavy act. The track is unlike Sabbath’s more famous numbers, and it only goes to show the versatility of the band. It is rather unfortunate that tracks such as these get neglected under the rubble of the heavier and livelier numbers.

(8) Into The Void

One of the reasons why Tony Iommi is considered one of the greatest guitarists ever, is because he had the ability to take a bunch of notes and turn them into riffs which have stood the test of time, and he didn’t need the speed of a cheetah to do that. ‘Into The Void’ is one of finest examples of Iommi’s brilliance.