SloppyMilkshake: Black Sabbath, Ranked

vanderb0b 01.23.11	5 and 7 are my personal favorites.
Nagrarok 01.23.11	Correct ranking (which is to say, imho): Paranoid Master of Reality Heaven and Hell Sabbath Bloody Sabbath Black Sabbath Volume 4 Sabotage Mob Rules Technical Ecstasy Never Say Die! the rest doesn't really count any more.
fr33convict 01.24.11	1. Ranking is odd but you defended your points decently well so I'm good with that. 2. Black Sabbath never tried to sound like Alice in Chains. Alice in Chain's entire career with Lenn basically sounds lien Electric Funeral with a couple more upbeat tracks thrown in. 3. You think Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules suck? That's really weird I love both of those.
eternium 01.24.11	Paranoid = 1 Master of Reality = 2
GapingShitter 01.24.11	paranoid is best everyone knows this
TheStefan 01.24.11	this list got me listening to Sabbath again. I've got Master of Reality on right now.
ShadowRemains 01.24.11	heaven and hell average eh? hmmmmm
Maniac! 01.24.11	H&H > list.
SloppyMilkshake 01.24.11	@convict, There are quite a few moments where they sound like Alice in Chains which IS funny because one could argue Alice in Chains was based around a lot of what Black Sabbath did. And I'm not a huge metal fan, that is to say, I only like certain kinds and usually the kind that dip into stranger territory. That being said, I'm not a fan of bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and the like (besides a few songs), and I'm not too into death metal or anything similar (again, outside of a few songs). I really like thrash (I love Slayer and old Metallica), sludge metal, progressive and post metal, and stuff like that.... That being said, "Heaven and Hell" and "Mob Rules" are average to me because they stopped sounding all slow, doped up, and fuzzy (classic Sabbath sound), and started sounding more like an average metal band.
SloppyMilkshake 01.24.11	I should also add, like a lot of people, those first six Sabbath albums on the list are classic and among some of my favorite albums. The rest are just sorta "meh". I don't listen to them all too often, besides a few song here and there.
StinkyWizzelteats 01.24.11	As long as Master of Reality is 1 that's all that matters.
JamieTwort 01.24.11	I have no issue with MoR being at 1 but 4 should be higher IMO. If you like the slower, doomier Sabbath best you should definately check out Pentagram - Day of Reckoning or Be Forewarned.
crowing51 01.24.11	Paranoid = 1 [2]
Nagrarok 01.24.11	'because one could argue Alice in Chains was based around a lot of what Black Sabbath did.' They were. Quite a lot. '"Heaven and Hell" and "Mob Rules" are average to me because they stopped sounding all slow, doped up, and fuzzy (classic Sabbath sound), and started sounding more like an average metal band.' It seems from your comments that you don't like the more melodic, 'happier' type of metal, or what you referred to as 'average metal' here. It's all a matter of taste of course, but H&H is generally regarded as a (Sabbath) classic, though the only one outside their albums with Ozzy.
Ire 01.24.11	first two are correct for the ozzy period. fucking great albums. heaven and hell owns them though
Edwin 01.24.11	Heaven and Hell should be no. 1. I have a soft spot for Born Again as well, so I'd have that and Mob Rules much higher.
dr2den 01.24.11	Heaven and Hell should be no. 1.
masonw125 04.06.11	You make some interesting points. Black Sabbath is my favourite band of all-time, and I've heard each and every one of their songs, so here's my list, just to contribute to the conversation: 1. Vol. 4 - Many would find this to be an odd choice, but I think that everything here, most notably the incredible riffs, is absolutely top-notch. Definitely one of my favourite albums from any band. 'Wheels of Confusion', 'Snowblind', 'Supernaut', and especially 'Under the Sun' stand out. 2. Master of Reality - I have no problem with this being your top pick. Fantastic stuff here, all of which really gave the band their distinctive sound. 'Into the Void' is without a doubt the best track. 3. Sabotage - Agreed completely on how criminally underrated this masterpiece is. Amazing album with hardly any slow points. My favourites are 'Symptom of the Universe', 'Hole in the Sky', and 'The Writ'. 4. Dehumanizer - This is where I differ in opinion from most people. True, some of what's presented here is not exactly original, but for me, it all works so perfectly. Dio has never sounded better, and 'Computer God' has my favourite guitar solo of all-time. 5. Black Sabbath - A fantastic debut. Love the dark, gloomy atmosphere that's presented throughout the entirety of the album. I'd definitely say the title track reigns supreme over the rest. 6. Mob Rules - Another choice that many would disagree with, seeing as I prefer this over Heaven and Hell. Yes, that means that H&H is in fact my least my favourite Dio-era album (though it's still terrific). I find the songs here have some of the catchiest riffs ever conceived, and Dio sounds as great as always. The title track, 'Falling off the Edge of the World', 'Voodoo', and 'Country Girl' are all phenomenal. 7. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath - Amazing rock album. It's far different from many of the band's works, but I think that that makes it even more unique and satisfying. 'A National Acrobat' is probably my all-time favourite song.
masonw125 04.06.11	8. Heaven and Hell - The album that launched the Dio-era is innovative and exceptional, with some of the band's best songwriting. The title track falls short only of 'Die Young'. 9. Paranoid - This is probably the most controversial part of my list. Don't get me wrong, I love this album, I just find it to be horribly overrated. That being said, 'Hand of Doom', 'Electric Funeral', 'Planet Caravan', and the title track are all masterpieces. 10. Tyr - Easily the best Tony Martin album. 'The Sabbath Stones' is stunning, with 'Odin's Court' and 'Valhalla' being the other strongest tracks. 11. Never Say Die! - Stupid title aside, I don't understand the hate for this album. Yes, it doesn't really sound anything like Sabbath, but if you take it for what it really is, a jazz-rock album, it is really quite great. 'Air Dance', I find, is a particularly excellent song. 12. Born Again - Here's one that I love, but I can understand the hate for. To really appreciate this album, one absolutely must listen to the demo tracks, and not the studio versions, as those were butchered in recording. The demos sound much better, and with that in consideration, 'Disturbing the Priest', 'Zero the Hero', and the title track are great songs. 13. Headless Cross - One of the better Tony Martin albums. There's definitely a lot of really catchy stuff here, such as the title track, 'When Death Calls', and 'Black Moon'. 14. Cross Purposes - Here's the first album I wouldn't call great, but still quite good. It's hard to deny how awesome 'Cardinal Sin' and 'Immaculate Deception' are. 15. Seventh Star - Good enough, but far too forgettable. I do highly enjoy 'No Stranger to Love', though. 16. The Eternal Idol - Once again, aside from 'The Shining', this album is just plain forgettable. I mean, it's decent, but certainly not memorable. 17. Technical Ecstasy - Without a doubt the worst Ozzy-era album. I still find enjoyment in such songs as 'Dirty Women', and 'It's Alright', but outside of that, there's not very much to enjoy here. 18. Forbidden - Now this, I'll admit, is just atrocious. The only songs that I can tolerate are 'Guilty as Hell' and 'Rusty Angels'. The rest are just bad, if not terrible - aside from 'The Illusion of Power'. That song is outright unacceptable. So there's my opinion.
SloppyMilkshake 04.06.11	Yeah my friend, are cool in my book. I grew up on Sabbath, so yeah...awesome when I see fans who actually appreciate the good aspects of the band.
Trebor. 04.06.11	Who's going to read that?
Listening 04.13.11	Your list is good (sincere), here's my ranking 1. Master of Reality, 2. Debut, Vol. 4, Sabotage, 3. Paranoid (I agree w/Mason that its overrated - the second half is underrated), 4. H&H, (HUGE GAP) 5. Technical Ecstasy, New Say Die (some songs rock, others suck), 6. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (boring, title track is overrated), 7. Haven't heard the rest *eye brows raise around Sputnik
Chrisjon89 04.13.11	I learnt guitar by playing Iommi riffs and then moved onto Metallica and then Hendrix. My favourite Sabbath song is Planet Caravan, and I'm probably alone in that. I know that's not what they're about but I love that song.
Ire 04.13.11	agree with your top 2 AGAIN
acorncheese 04.13.11	why isn't powerslave #1
SteelErectedb4you8er 04.13.11	I am with you on this Sloppymilkshake. Masters of Reality has the riffs through and through. Into the Void may be one of the heaviest songs ever written and the fact for the time period, it is amazing something could be this heavy. Lord of this World is my favorite Sabbath tune. Paranoid is great, but as someone stated, it is overrated. Electric Funeral and Hand of Doom, and the second half just kick ass though. Glad that you don't disrespect Heaven & Hell either, because eventhough it isn't an Ozzy record (like you said, it is better than the last couple Ozzy records), Dio does a superb job and it is killer album.
SloppyMilkshake 04.13.11	Yeah, while there are obviously "heavier" albums out there than Master of Reality, I think that tone just really epitomizes the "heavy metal" sound. Thick, sludgy, warm, and full of color. It's fucking beautiful.