Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath, formed in Birmingham, England in 1968, is a titan of heavy metal, a genre they were instrumental in shaping. The original lineup consisted of vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. The band's eponymous debut album, released in 1970, introduced the world to their unique sound, which was characterized by Iommi's heavy, distortion-laden guitar riffs, the pounding rhythm section of Butler and Ward, and Osbourne's eerie, haunting vocals. Songs like "Black Sabbath" and "N.I.B." were steeped in darkness and mysticism, a stark departure from the more upbeat rock and psychedelic music of the time.

​

Black Sabbath's influence on rock music cannot be overstated. They effectively created the blueprint for heavy metal, inspiring countless bands with their dark lyrical themes and heavy musical style. The band's subsequent albums, especially "Paranoid" and "Master of Reality," are considered seminal works in the genre. Despite numerous lineup changes over the years, with Osbourne leaving in 1979 and other members coming and going, Black Sabbath's legacy has remained intact. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, cementing their status as one of the most influential bands in rock history. Even after their official disbandment in 2017, the reverberations of Black Sabbath's raw and powerful sound continue to be felt in the music industry today.