10 Great Metal Albums (For People Who Don't Like Metal)

Ordinarily, when a band single-handedly inspires dozens if not hundreds to follow in their sonic footsteps, the original ends up sounding a little dated or left behind. That hasn’t happened with Black Sabbath. For all the acts who’ve adopted their sonic palette, the Birmingham band still boast a colossal sound.

Their finest collection is the tight, all-attack Master Of Reality. The 1971 record sets out the band’s stall with opener “Sweet Leaf”, a song about how much Ozzy and co enjoy smoking marijuana (hint: a lot). Tommy Iommi’s crushing riff is one of his best, and the band follow his cue, stomping along behind him.

“After Forever” follows this riff-heavy pattern, but it’s the ghostly “Children Of The Grave” that proves to be particularly inspirational, full of mystical malevolence and a rumbling low end.

Sabbath like few others before or after sang about the occult in a convincing manner; this is hypnotic music that stands up brilliantly, sinister but tuneful, heavy and meticulously crafted while somehow sounding like it’s about to veer out of control.