POV issues
The wording of this article doesn't sit well with me. There is too much "Black Sabbath is the *real* heavy metal" for a proper encyclopedia article. Either experts should be referenced giving their opinions about how Black Sabbath compares to Led Zep, et al, or the claims about Sabbath's superiority should be removed. Example: "Even though Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Cream, and Deep Purple had a profound influence on the emergence of hard rock and heavy metal music, Black Sabbath was the first true heavy metal band." --iwakura42
- Remember, you can always make edits you think are appropriate and necessary rather than add tags like this. In any event, take a look at the POV-stripping I just did and, if you think it's close enough, remove the tag. I didn't touch the later history sections which aren't as blantantly POV but could really use some tightening up by someone who is interested. Jgm 13:53, 18 Jan 2005 (UTC)
influence
- The bands who influenced Black Sabbath was Vinnie Moore's Time Odyssey, Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Oddyssey and Trial By Fire, Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Alice in Chains, Faith No More, Danzig, Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Melvins, Queens Of The Stone Age, The Offspring, Black Flag, and Tool are the bands who had influenced Black Sabbath on some heavy metal bands who cut on one of the albums.
This doesn't make much sense, and what sense that is in it seems backwards. --Ihcoyc
I removed the modern incarnation of the above:
Influence:
Black Sabbath had a notable influence on Vinnie Moore's Time Odyssey, Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Oddyssey and Trial By Fire, Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Alice in Chains, Faith No More, Danzig, Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Korn, Melvins, Guttermouth, The Offspring, Queens Of The Stone Age, Crass, Black Flag, and Tool.
I'm not saying there's not a place for this in the article, but this is not the way to do it. Tuf-Kat
- The Offspring? Malmsteen? Tool? What have you been smoking? Tool's music sounds nothing like Black Sabbath's. The only thing that Sabbath has in common with a lot of these bands is dark imagery and a penchant for loud rock guitar. -- goatasaur
- I can assure you that Black sabbath were not an influence on Crass, unlike John Cage and Benjamen Britten, who believe it or not, definately were! quercus robur
band name
I apologize for muddling the issue of the origin of the band name. The "Dennis Wheatley novel" story is told in the liner notes for the Rhino Records Black Sabbath box set, as it is in most all web bios of the band, which seemed authoritative enough, but a bit more research does indeed show that there is some dispute about this -- in particular there is an interesting interview (http://www.zeromag.com/articles/article_view.php?id=90&pi=0) with Geezer Butler where he discusses the origin of the name of the song without mentioning either the film or the supposed novel. What does seem to be clear (from many many sources including the "official" biography "Black Sabbath" which is excerpted on Amazon) is that Butler was into the occult and in particular a fan of Wheatley, that he wrote the song first, and that the band was named after the song. I've re-drafted to reflect this without repeating the seeming wrong conventional story about a novel that doesn't appear to exist. Jgm 23:01, 13 Aug 2004 (UTC)
To my eye, the interview doesn't seem to say much of anything on the matter. In my understanding the film is the most agreed-upon source. If there is a larger discussion about this, then by all means let's have it. Aaronbrick 01:31, 01 Dec 2004 (PDT)
Erm.
After adding something to the Black Sabbath (band) section, assuming that there was indeed no article on black sabbath. I wrote my own article, I then found this one soon after.
If anybody would like to combine parts of mine with the current one, fill free.
Arguably the most influential metal band of all time, some have even labeled Black Sabbath as the "fathers of metal". Being the founding force in defining the sound of heavy metal, the band derived metal from the blues-rock sound of the late 1960's. The original lineup consisted of Ozzy Osbourne, vocals; Tony Iommi, guitar; Terrene Butler, bass; and Bill Ward, drums. The band was formed by four teenage friends near Aston, Birmingham. Originally named Earth, the band soon after changed its name to Black Sabbath, named after the book by Dennis Wheatly.
First Albums Debut
Black Sabbath was signed onto Phillips Records in 1969. In January 1970, the Phillips subsidiary Fontana released their debut single, "Evil Woman"; the single did not chart. The next month, a different Phillips subsidiary, Vertigo, released Black Sabbath's self-titled debut album. The album was an immediate success in the U.K. topping the top 10 chart almost immediately. In the United States, the album was licensed to Warner Brothers Records. It was released in the United States during May of 1970, three months later reaching the top 40 of American charts; holding that position for a year. Promptly releasing a second album during September 1970, The band had even more success, achieving number three on the U.S. charts. Along with their first album, remaining in the top 40 charts for over a year.
Master of Reality, their third album, was released in August of 1971. Practically sharing the same success as the previous albums. Three albums were released between 1970 and 1971 alone.
1972
"Iron Man" was released as a single in 1972 in the United States, becoming one of the best selling singles in American musical history. Later on that year, Black Sabbath, Vol. 4 was released. The album sold over a million copies, making it the fourth success for the band.
1973
In 1973 the band acquired keyboard player, Rick Wakeman from Yes. Later that year they released Sabbath Bloody Sabbath in November. The album was Sabbath's fifth consecutive time to hit the top 10 charts.
1974-1979
The group struggled for the first time in 1974 since it released its first album. Due to managerial disputes the band was stalled until July 1975. They returned with their sixth album, Sabotage. Due to a shift of American musical atmosphere, the album struggled. It did, however, reach the top 20 on the American charts. Responding quickly to this change, Black Sabbath released the colossal-selling album, We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'N' Roll.
Disagreement with changing several musical elements in the band was resisted firmly by Osbourne. Eventually several new elements were introduced in their eighth album, Technical Ecstasy. The album sold well, but did not live up to the sales of previous albums. This eventually led to Osbourne leaving the band in November of 1977.
Osbourne was replaced by former Savoy Brown singer, Dave Walker; Osbourne then came back and the band recorded Never Say Die!. The album did modestly, and Osbourne eventually left for a solo career. Later on he was replaced by Ronnie James Dio, a former Rainbow singer.
1980-1989
The band presumed recording in 1980 with Heaven and Hell. The band regained its crown, achieving two top 10 singles. Bill Ward then left Black Sabbath due to health related issues. He was replaced by Vinnie Appice. Mob Rules was recorded in November of 1981, resulting in another success.
Due to severe conflict over the mixing of the album, Ronnie James Dio left the band in 1983 after Live Evil was released in January of 1983. The band seemingly fell apart.
Eventually Black Sabbath got together again by convincing their original drummer, Bill Ward, to return to the band. The band also obtained Ian Gillan, the former singer of a rival band, Deep Purple. This was a shocking move for many Black Sabbath fans.
The band recorded Born Again with Gillan, becomming another moderatally sucessful album. Gillan stuck with the band until March of 1984 when he decided to reunite with Deep Purple. He was replaced by Dave Donato.
After a momentary reunion with Ozzy Osbourne in 1985, Geezer Butler left the band. With their album Seventh Star, released in 1986, guitarist Tony Iommi emphasized his guitar playing for the first time. Another Deep Purple singer, Glenn Hughes, was aquired as part of the band for the recording of the album. He was eventually replaced by Ray Gillen in March of 1986, Tony Iommi was now practically the head of the band, and changes needed to be made. At this point, Black Sabbath's most unsuccessful album ever was released, Eternal Idol.
1990-2001
During what seemingly appeared to be the commercial fall of Black Sabbath, Cozy Powell, Geoff Nichols, and Neil Murray; along with Iommi and Martin released Forbidden in 1995. Its success was limited, and not substantial.
In 1999 the band reunited and toured 29 cities in the United States. There were the beginnings of plans to reform and write new material, however those have currently failed.
Discography
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