Black Sabbath Albums Ranked

Black Sabbath were an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. Black Sabbath are often cited as pioneers of heavy metal music. The band helped define the genre with releases such as Black Sabbath (1970), Paranoid (1970), and Master of Reality (1971). The band had multiple line-up changes following Osbourne’s departure in 1979, with Iommi being the only constant member throughout its history. Here are all of Black Sabbath’s albums ranked.

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20. Forbidden (1995)

“First of all, Black Sabbath was the band that Ice-T; listened to ; way before he started rapping. Read his new book; Also, the project was produced by Ernie C. of Body Count. An heavy metal hardcore group started by Ice-T. So what if Ice-T an gangster rapper. Heavy Metal, was an always a force in his music. It’s honor to have Black Sabbath and Ice-T; together. This is a very hot c.d. to get. If you’re into hardcore funk. You’ll like this c.d. It’s time to stop judging music by color of skin. this is an revolutionary c.d. by Black Sabbath. So those who don’t like Ice-T in Heavy Metal and hardcore. You have an closed mind. I like Black Sabbath, grew up on their music; but also love hardcore funk, gangster rap. I respect Black Sabbath; even more for this move in the 90’s. Have all of Ozzy’s c.d.s;too. I suggest to get this c.d. this really bought gangster rap fans into Black Sabbath and Ozzy. music.”

19. Tyr (1990)

“This is plainly and simply a bad album, especially for Black Sabbath. While I am not a Tony Martin fan, I did like most of Eternal Idol and some Of Headless Cross and Forbidden. I don’t like any of this, though I would rank it just slightly above Dehumanizer, an album I have never gotten into and definitely not from lack of trying. I think Black Sabbath became a bit of a joke around this time, at least to us American fans. I have tried to listen to this album from time to time, but I can never get past the second or third song. I don’t know, maybe some day I might warm up to this album, like I eventually did with Headless Cross Dresser, but for now I just don’t care for the album.”

18. Cross Purposes (1994)

“Cross Purposes is one of the most underrated and least mentioned albums in the entire discography of Black Sabbath. It features one of their prominent singers, Tony Martin, as the band’s third official singer and the second to their last albums to feature Martin before the return of Ozzy Osbourne (the band’s first and most notable singer). Cross Purposes contains a series of songs range from hard rock to heavy metal. It contains a more progressive album than their previous albums. Cross Purposes indicates the continuous experimentation and innovation Black Sabbath has produced in over two decades.”

17. Dehumanizer (1992)

“Perfect album, from start to finish!! One of Sabbaths best. While it isn’t the same, bluesy sabbath we saw in the 70’s – characterized by songs like National Acrobat and Fairies wear boots – it’s a solid slice of metal history, transitioning nicely from the more melodic, upbeat sabbath of the 80s into the darker, more aggressive sound they had in the 00’s and 10’s.”

16. Seventh Star (1986)

“The name ‘Black Sabbath’ carries with it certain connotations & expectations that sometimes hinder rather than help the final product. Case in point: Seventh Star. If this were released as a Tony Iommi solo album as originally planned I think it would be remembered and looked upon more fondly than it is today. After the singer from their previous album, Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan, decided not to return, Sabbath went back to the Deep Purple well and hired Glenn Hughes as their lead singer. Also like Ian Gillan he would only stick around for one album. He does a great job though and his voice sounds great on every track. Tony Iommi is amazing as always on the guitar, but that should come as no surprise. The album is excellent and deserves to be heard and appreciated by more people. Recommended.”

15. Born Again (1983)

“What can I say about this album that hasn’t already been said in the 33 years since its release? It’s truly bizarre to hear the voice of Deep Purple with the music of Black Sabbath but somehow, on this record, it works. Zero the Hero and Born Again are my favorites. I’ve never heard an original vinyl or cassette pressing of it but the CD sound quality is very good (though the album’s mix is a bit muddy to my ears.) It’s one of those albums that is by no means essential to anyone’s collection but for those who like to dig deep into the bins it’s worth the effort. The personnel alone makes it interesting but the songs are actually good to boot. Don’t overpay but if the price is right check it out. I dare say I think you’ll like it!”

14. 13 (2013)

“Who would have thought they could conjure up such an epic finale? This album is flat-out great, right in line with the Classic Six albums in their catalog. The deluxe edition has 11 tracks, but there is a 12th track (“Naivete in Black”) which is available on some editions. There are also four more additional studio outtakes which were sold as “The End” at Sabbath’s last batch of concerts and are available on CD (Seasons of the Dead, Cry All Night, Take Me Home and Isolated Man). That makes a total of 16 studio songs from the “13” sessions. Thank you Black Sabbath for being such a frigging awesome band.”

13. The Devil You Know (2009)

“OMG dudes… I was reluctant to hand over $15 for this album, but I have just about every Black Sabbath and Dio recording there is. It’s a crying shame they couldn’t get along as a band for longer periods of time. We shoulda had 30yrs of Dio fronted Sabbath albums, but instead we got 3 Blistering studio albums, 3 live albums, and this little gem their only studio recording under the Heaven and Hell banner. I knew this was really close to Dio’s death and I didn’t have high expectations. Played the first 3 tracks on YouTube and thought I’d give it a shot. Worst case I could ignore a frail Ronnie and bask in the glory that is Iommi/Butler. Well, let me tell you that RJD at 50% vocal strength is 90% of any other metal vocalist any day of the week. It blew my ballz off! Dehumanizer2 I call it. I feel stupid not buying this sooner. R.I.P Ronnie James Dio, you will always be the greatest of all time!”

12. Never Say Die! (1978)

“The final album with original lineup fronted by Ozzy Somewhat overlooked but this album is a great 1 nonetheless

The first song is the only song to wind up on in any live albums or compilations. But Juniors Eyes and Johnny Blade both boast a heavy rolling bass line and Ozzy vox are incredible. A Hard Road and Shockwave are both great songs as well,great guitar work and vocal work.

Air Dance is a really experimental track with a saxophone and piano,which actually work well in here. Over to you & Break out are both sweet too,a shift in mood and tempo. Swing in the chain Ozzy didn’t do vox. The album is a solid 1 and could be considered (in my opinion)a prog- rock album by a metal/blues band in the late 60s and early 70s

All in all an overlooked gem in the catalogue.gove it a listen and you’ll hear the great guitar work,the writing and the precussion and bass.

Great album.

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11. Headless Cross (1989)

“I listened to Black Sabbath all through the 70’s with Ozzy. When he was fired and Dio took his place I didn’t even buy their first album together (Heaven & Hell). The following year somebody talked me into buying The Mob Rules. I took it home and played side A, took it off the turntable, placed it back in the sleeve and never listened again because it was so different from the Ozzy years. Several months ago my brother got me to listen to some Dio solo material. Each listen they got better and better. I remembered Dio used to sing for Sabbath so I checked out the albums they did together on youtube. I couldn’t believe how good they were. Then I checked out Sabbath with Tony Martin and it blew my mind because these were released more than twenty years ago and I never knew. If you like Dio and/or can accept listening to Sabbath without Ozzy you owe it to yourself to check this out. Never thought I would say I liked something better than Sabbath with Ozzy, but I’m saying it!”

10. The Eternal Idol (1987)

“Wow! What a find! I have to admit I grew up listening to Black Sabbath with Ozzy and Dio and later trailed off after Born Again (what a disaster of an album!). Decades later and simply from disappointment in today’s metal scene, I am “rediscovering new music” from my old bands. Eternal Idol in my opinion has been completely underrated. Tony Martin sounds great on vocals and the heavy riffs from Tony Iommi are some of the best since Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules. What is also great about this deluxe album is the 2nd disc with earlier recordings of the same songs with vocalist Ray Gillen, who I think was another great fit for the band but unfortunately he left the band (but did make great music later with Badlands). Absent on this album clearly is Geezer Butler but overall a great find and very worthy of adding to your Sabbath collection!”

9. Technical Ecstasy (1976)

“While definitely not as good as the 6 great albums which preceded it, is still a very decent and interesting record, where I personally find at least 5 of the 8 tracks worthy of one’s attention: “You Won’t Change Me,” “All Moving Parts,” “Gypsy,” “Back Street Kids” and of course, the epic “Dirty Women.” *I also like “She’s Gone” a bit too (portends Ozzy’s solo years quite nicely) So even though it’s not something totally classic, like Master Of Reality, s/t, Paranoid, Vol.4 or Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (the latter, which was a little expansive in it’s own right), I still appreciate Technical Ecstasy for what it is: an admittedly lesser, but still good & interesting Black Sabbath album of the classic Ozzy era. I always have appreciated it as just that. Cool art /album cover too (especially for something which was to be a little different from the rest) And the new digipak edition looks smashing in it’s seal with the eye catching, properly placed hype sticker.”

8. Mob Rules (1981)

“I can not say anything more about Mob Rules, is one of those recordings you just love.

About this edition the sound is fantastic, the package design very good and the overall expected quality of disc one, perfect.

Other story is disc two, with a very good recording from the time of Live Evil, to me, the main reason to buy the product.

Excellent concert, very different sound than Live Evil, equally a pleasure to hear, from a time when live recordings were hard to find. I really like this bonus, less polished, more natural…. Just another flavor of the same tour.”

7. Sabotage (1975)

“To me this is an underrated album. Sabotage has such a massive amount of energy and cqtchy hooky songs. Best songs ever are Thrill of It All Megalomania The Writ and Am I Going Insane? This album has so much rhythm to it. Really this is like the last ‘best’ album with Ozzy altho he did 2 more before he departed and went solo. Excellent energy. Exellent guitar work’lots of sick licks. Drums and bass are tight. The bass is nice and heavy. Nice and audible. I’d suggest you pick it up the best Sabbath albums are with Ozzy. Go get Master Of Reality,Vol..4 Paranoid Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Technical Ecstacy as well as their 1st album.”

6. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)

“Bought this back in 83, 10 years after it was released. Had it various times since then, but tended to loan it out and lose it too often. Decided to go for the remastered version. I love Sabbath, and for me , along with Zeppelin, they have created probably the greatest riffs of all time. This album is no exception. some tracks have more riffs that you would find on one album. Musically wonderful, lyrically dark as you would expect. This would always be in my top 10 albums. Not a duff track on it.”

5. Heaven and Hell (1980)

“When I think about black sabbath, the image that comes to my mind is the band in the Ozzy years. I think the characteristics that represent to black sabbath are their slow music with very dark atmosphere. Hence, Heaven & Hell is not so representative of black sabbath as masters of reality or sabotage, but this album is one most representative works of the heavy metal. It’s very difficult to find another heavy metal band that plays similar to Black Sabbath of the Ozzy years (witching general perhaps), in contrast many bands in the 80s played similar to the Black Sabbath of the Dio years. For instance this kind of music, much faster were the basis of the heavy metal. In fact, when I think in the beginning of heavy metal of the 80s, I think in the Rainbow of the Dio years, the black sabbath of the Dio years and of course in Judas priest.”

4. Vol. 4 (1972)

“If there is only one Sabbath album in your collection, it should be this mid 70’s masterpiece. Sabbath were at the height of their powers creatively here. This is a just press play album. The only album that can contend with Vol. 4 is it’s follow up masterpiece, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.”

3. Black Sabbath (1970)

“One of the albums that birthed heavy metal as I’m sure all here know. Must have for any metalhead or fan of blues driven hard rock. Greatest thing about this CD remaster is that it digitally combines intrumental tracks with main tracks. So if you rip it you don’t have to listen to stupid skips in the music. I wish every band would combine tracks that should be played together like this. Who wants to shuffle their music and get an intro to the wrong song, not to mention gaps that occur if you just listening to the album. Remaster isn’t really different than the previous remaster, but the price is very good and worth it just for the combined tracks. Of course there’s software out there that will combine tracks, but I’m lazy and it’s a pain to deal with!”

2. Master of Reality (1971)

“A true classic, like “Paranoid” and “Vol 4”, which influenced thousands of heavy (doom, stoner) bands until today. “Sweet Leaf” with his mammoth second riff, the cavalcade of “Children of the Grave”, or the heavy “Into the Void” are only a few examples of the great musicianship at work – Iommi is really THE riff master when you think this album was issued in 1971, Geezer’s basslines are elastic and groovy and Ward’s drumming is both subtle and bellicose. In addition, Ozzy’s vocals seem to not just rely on the guitar line as this was the case on many previous tracks (“Iron Man”, “Paranoid”, “Electric Funeral”.”

A must have. Period.

1. Paranoid (1970)

“Whist Black Sabbath just can not be denied the adulation they deserve as pioneers and producers of rock/metal at its best, Paranoid has to be their greatest work. Sure they’ve done loads of brilliant stuff but Paranoid is an album where every track is simply awesome, it’s all lean, not a speck of aural fat to be heard. So much has been written and said about Paranoid, what could I add?”