Paranoid
Facts about the album:
Originally Released:
September 18, 1970 in UK
January 1, 1971 in USA
Re-Released:
April 27, 2004 on the Black Box Set
Black Sabbath is the band credited as the band that started the rock sub-genera we call Metal. This is my first review, and probably not the last. So, here we go.
Luke's Wall/War Pigs (7:57)
The opening song of this album and the best in my opinion, it starts off with Tony Iommi pumping out some awesome chords for the opening part of the song called Lukes Wall . The bass is flawless with Geezer complimenting the guitar with a very simple riff. Simple but effective drumming by Ward weaves Lukes Wall into one. The air raid siren comes on and gives us a feeling of impending doom. The whole scene stops abruptly as Lukes Wall ends with a sudden aggressive chord by Iommi, signaling the start of War Pigs . Ozzy comes in with Generals gather in their masses, supported only by a slight drumming that can barley be heard. The guitar fills in the parts between the lyrics with the same attacking chords, with song variations as the song transits into the chorus . This is when Ozzy shines in the song, perfectly matching the guitar and bass. The simple, yet effective, riff comes back into play. Then, with a change in the riff Iommi goes into a perfect solo thats all over the place, starting on high notes and the going lower and back up to the high notes. The song then goes back into its original form as when it started. Ozzy once more yells Oh lord yeah, and that leaves me wondering, he could possibly be one of the only singers in music to able to yell something like that out and not sound stupid. The song then does a bit of the same riff from the chorus. Then it changes into yet another solo by Iommi finally going back to the original riff and then speeding up with a sudden finish.
Awesome lyrics, even though some people may prefer the Walpurgis lyrics, still it does its duty, speaking out against war. Great guitar, drums and bass make this song perfect.
(5/5)
Paranoid (2:52)
The title song of this album and is now considered to be the defining song of Black Sabbaths career with Ozzy Osbourne. Starts off with a nice riff by Iommi and then transition into a bass frenzy by Geezer with Iommi supporting. The bass doesnt seem to stop; Geezer just keeps going and going and going. The lyrics to this song are not as good as War Pigs, but damn the riff is catchy. The solo is awesome, and I believe the huge amounts of distortion take a bit of the glamour away from it. The drumming in it is perfectly in sync with everything; at the height of his career Ward was known to be one of the best drummers.
Okay lyrics, and great sound of all the instruments. Even Ozzys voice is perfect in this one. (4.5/5)
Planet Caravan (4:32)
This song is very strange to me, in some aspects, I love it, and in others I hate it. The bass is awesome, and that is the only reason I like this song. The lyrics are kind of strange, and I really cant make out what they mean. Ozzys voice is completely different from any of the other songs on this album, and in my opinion, way too soft in this song. I had to listen very carefully to understand this song. The drumming seems almost nonexistent except for the strange popping noise. However there is the awesome bass, and the little guitar solo that Iommi does in the middle is pretty slow but sounds quite cool. This solo would have done much, much better in a quicker and happier sounding song. All, in all, this is the song that keeps its album away from its goal of a 5/5.
Strange lyrics, strange drumming and guitar and horrible singing by Ozzy, its saved by the guitar solo in the middle and Geezers always-great bass. (3.5/5)
Iron Man (5:58)
One of the worlds best-known riffs resides in this song. The song starts of with this cool little riff and a digitalized voice saying, I am Iron man . The riff kicks in right after, immediately, the listener is captivated. This is the most effective and amazing riff ever written. Ask someone in North America or Europe if they know who Black Sabbath is, if they say No, play Iron Man, they will immediately know it. Ozzys singing, the bass and the drumming are flawless. With Ward attacking the drums like a madman to keep up with the guitar. And after a few lines of two differing verses the solo opens up, with Iommi playing at blinding speed to interlace the two parts of the song perfectly. Geezer on the bass is dishing out like crazy, going at the same speed as the guitar, doing a solo of his own. There is only one thing about this entire song that I dont like, and thats some of the lyrics. Particularly the following:
He was turned to steel
In the great magnetic field
When he traveled time
For the future of mankind
Besides the slight nonsense of some of the lyrics, this is amazing song by the incredible four. The songs ending is perfectly executed, with a sudden stop. Not even the lyrics make this song deserve no less than a 5. (5/5)
Electric Funeral (4:52)
Starts off with the awesome but simple riff by Iommi. That makes it sound as though the guitar is almost crying; the distortion is perfect for a song such as this. And then, Ozzys voice comes in and fits in perfectly with the mood of the song. The always-great Geezer on bass follows suit and Ward makes himself heard on the drums, pumping out some awesome beats. The pure heaviness of the song is overwhelming, especially for the era it was written in. The lyrics talking about the destruction of the earth due to many factors make the listeners think about what humans have do to this planet, which was the intention. And then the drums start going steadily making for an amazing intro to solo, which Iommi delivers with fury. However, is this a solo? Ozzy seems to be singing during it. Strange effect with a very low voice yelling Electric Funeral in contrast to a very high guitar, then the song reverts back to its original state. Ozzy sings a few more lines and the song slows down to a gradual stop.
Awesome lyrics, riffs, bass and drums, the lack of a solo does nothing to make this song any less great. (5/5)
Hand of Doom (7:07)
Another awesome song, the opening of the song has Ozzy singing only backed by the bass and drums, which, as always, are amazing. The guitar comes out suddenly and the volume of everything increases insanely. There is a sudden change in the song, as the song speeds up several times and Ozzy does an awesome job holding those high notes in his singing. The riff, like every Sabbath song, is awesome. The song once more takes a turn, with another new riff but with Ozzy still singing in the same key and rhythm. Soon, the solo comes in and Iommi is perfect as always. The song goes back to the bass riff with the drums going on in the background, and the song repeats the beginning part with different lyrics and slowly fades into obscurity.
The bass is the defining point of this song. The guitar solo, while pretty good, is not that remarkable. All in all, this is a fun song, but not the best on the album. (4.5/5)
Rat Salad (2:31)
Whats to say? A perfect instrumental song that weaves the entire album together, there is one thing that truly stands out in this song, and that is the drum solo. If there were ever any drum solos as perfectly executed, it would only be by Ward. His drumming throughout the whole song is flawless, however, once he gets to the solo part. He truly shines. The guitar in the song is pretty nice, and the bass keeps the whole thing going. But its the drumming that makes the song flawless. The lack of Ozzy is strangely satisfying.
Amazing drumming. Great bass and guitar make for an awesome song. (5/5)
Fairies Wear Boots/Jack the Stripper (6:15)
Very strange, and yet, great song that starts off with the very simple yet amazing riff and goes to yet another simple riff, but with great distortion. The solo comes early in this song, even before Ozzy starts singing, with Mr. Iommi dishing out some awesome sounds. And then the main riff starts, with alternation between guitar and bass. Ozzys singing seems slightly off for this song. Although, as always, he can yell out things and not sound like an idiot, so Im not complaining. There are several guitar solos for this song, which seem to be fighting the bass for supremacy and not exactly winning, because the bass in this song is amazing.
Great guitar, even better bass and great drumming, slightly strange singing by Mr. Osbourne. (4.5/5)
In a nutshell :
Amazing album by Black Sabbath, and possibly the one that finally woke Metal from its slumber and influenced many bands to make Metal into what it was in the 80s. Some great classics, and awesome sounds make this the must have album for any metal heads collection. (4.5/5)
I hope this review has been helpful to you since it was very fun to write. This review is purely my opinion on the album; if you have different views on any of the above, please dont hesitate to voice them.
