Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath on vinyl: where heavy metal began

In short: Birmingham’s Black Sabbath are regarded as the founders of heavy metal. Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward played heavy, slow riffs with dark lyrics from 1970 – a sound that shaped generations of bands. The Vinyl Room currently has 7 Black Sabbath records.

What makes Black Sabbath special?

In 1970 two albums came out: the debut “Black Sabbath” and “Paranoid” with “Iron Man” and “War Pigs”. “Master Of Reality” (1971) sounds even deeper and heavier, while “Vol. 4” (1972) and “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” (1973) add piano, strings and synthesizers.

“Sabotage” (1975) is the sixth studio album by the original line-up. The early albums came out in Britain on Vertigo, the Philips group’s label for progressive music – the editions with the swirl label are sought after. Depending on country and edition, the records carry different labels.

From our stock

First pressings

Records by Black Sabbath

→ Vertigo · Heavy metal · Hard rock · How to spot a first pressing

FAQ

Where do Black Sabbath come from? From Birmingham in England.

Which albums are regarded as classics? Above all the early seventies albums, such as “Paranoid” and “Master Of Reality”.

What is the Vertigo swirl label? The label design of early Vertigo pressings with a black-and-white spiral – much sought after by collectors.

Which records do you have? Mostly editions from the seventies – 7 records in all.