10 Most Iconic Music Albums Turning 50 In 2023

10. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath - Black Sabbath

Rehearsing in a medieval castle in Gloucestershire, previously used to record by the likes of Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, this gothic setting sparked the new material that followed an exhausting world tour that nearly tore Black Sabbath apart, mainly due to excessive drug use and absolute fatigue.

After the Bel Air setting in Los Angeles wasn’t cutting it in terms of crafting new songs, the eerie atmosphere of Clearwell Castle gave the band - who rehearsed in the dungeons - the inspiration they badly needed, which in turn resulted in their fifth album, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.

Lasting tunes such as the title track and Killing Yourself to Live pack the same punch they did when the record was released half a century ago. Upon its initial release in December '73, Black Sabbath received favourable success in mainstream media for the first time in their career. Possessing haunting orchestral dynamics, experimental use of synthesisers, and enticing song arrangements, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is perhaps known as the last great Sabbath album released by the original quartet line-up.