So i was looking around at all these "official threads" and noticed someone, no Black Sabbath thread?? I think out of all these bands these guys really need a main thread. They are one of the best rock bands ever. You can discuss anything Black Sabbath in here, but do not spam and flame.
Tony Iommi was the only guitarist in Black Sabbath, and Randy Rhoads had nothing to do with it. Therefore, do not say something like this:
http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6836385&postcount=3155
Here's a very detailed Black Sabbath recommendation post originally made by Lord Brummington.
Ok, seeing as we get alot of people asking in here what albums/songs are good as stepping-stones to the world of Black Sabbath, I figured I'd make this post then get you guys to link it whenever someone makes a post along the lines of:
'' 'sup you funky Sabbath d00dz, whats a good album to get by Black Sabbath?''
So...here we go.
Albums - Ozzy Years
I'm going to keep my opinions out of this part of the thread
Most of the guys in here have said that Black Sabbath and Paranoid are the best albums to get first, to be honest you'd be best buying them in order.
An album to avoid from the Ozzy years is Live at Last, its a crappy bootlegg and you'd be better off buying Past Lives, or Re-union. Also if possibly, try not to buy the 1996 Castle Remasters of the albums, the quality on them is poor, worse than my vinyl copies.
Dio Years
With only a choice of 4 albums, its not hard picking which one to buy. They're all as good as each other, but I'd highly recommend Live Evil as a first purchase from the Dio years, then the rest (Heaven and Hell, Mob Rules and Dehumanizer) in that order.
Tony Martin Years
I've only heard the albums Headless Cross and TYR from the Tony Martin years, he also featured on The Eternal Idol, Cross Purposes, Forbidden and Cross Purposes Live .
I've heard snippets of Cross Purposes Live, I'd recommend it if you're after a live album thats not got Ozzy on it.
From this era I'd highly recommend TYR
The Rest
Born Again
From what I've heard, this album only really appeals to the hardcore Sabbath fans, and fans of anything that contains Ian Gillan. The songs that I've heard are good, but a bit of a let-down from the Dio years.
7th Star
This is actually a Tony Iommi solo album under the Black Sabbath banner, its a bit hit and miss in places, but worthy of being in your collection.
Compilations/Best Of's
This is simple, if you want a good compilation album, buy The Best of Black Sabbath, it gives you alot of Ozzy songs, along with a few Dio and Ian Gillan songs I think.
If you're an Ozzy pureist, I'd recommend We Sold Our Soul For Rock n Roll, although it only covers upto the Sabotage album.
Live Albums
The best live album is probably Re-Union, with Live Evil, Past Lives, Cross Purposes Live and Live at Last coming behind, in that order.
Now then, the moment you've all been waiting for, this is my list for which order to buy the albums in (the ones that I have):
Volume 4
Black Sabbath
Never Say Die!
Live Evil
Heaven and Hell
Master of Reality
Sabotage
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Technical Ecstasy
Headless Cross
TYR
Mob Rules
Dehumanizer
Paranoid
Songs
If you're cheap and lazy, here's a list of songs to download to give you some inspiration for which album to buy: (not in order)
Tomorrow's Dream (Volume 4, Ozzy)
Supernaut (Volume 4, Ozzy)
Neon Knights (Heaven and Hell, Dio)
The Law Maker (TYR, Tony Martin)
Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath, Ozzy)
Iron Man (Paranoid, Ozzy)
The Sign of the Southern Cross (Mob Rules, Dio)
TV Crimes (Dehumanizer, Dio)
Air Dance (Never Say Die!, Ozzy)
Gypsy (Technical Ecstasy, Ozzy)
Headless Cross (Headless Cross, Tony Martin)
Jerusalem (TYR, Tony Martin)
Trashed (Born Again, Ian Gillan)
7th Star (7th Star, Glen Hughes [I think, my memory is hazey at the moment] )
Megalomania (Sabotage, Ozzy)
Sabbra Cadabra (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Ozzy)
The Warning (Black Sabbath, Ozzy)
Hand of Doom (Paranoid, Ozzy)
After Forever (Master of Reality, Ozzy)
Yeh...I could go on for awhile recommending songs.
Well, I hope this post has been usefull for some of you, any questions feel free to ask them, and any of the regulars, feel free to add songs to the song list etc...
-Brum