Black Sabbath: The end of an era

The legendary heavy metal band Black Sabbath has announced its plans to retire after 48 years.

With a career beginning in 1968, the English band has seen several lineup changes throughout its years, but the most notable band members include Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and of course, the iconic frontman Ozzy Osbourne.

Despite its controversies, such as the dismissal of Osbourne from 1979 until 1997, the band (minus Ward) has reunited for a final tour, which they’ve confidently dubbed “the final tour by the greatest metal band of all time.” Osbourne has also promised fans a final album.

To celebrate Black Sabbath’s legacy, we’ve ranked our Top 10 Black Sabbath Songs from the Ozzy Years. To hear more Black Sabbath tune into Ozzy’s Boneyard (Ch. 38). And check out rebroadcasts of Episode 3 of Ozzy Speaks on Friday 8/26 at 11 p.m ET, and Sunday 8/28 at 5 p.m. ET.

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Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

This track from Black Sabbath’s 1973 album by the same name appeared at No. 1 on the charts. Its riff has been regarded as “the riff that saved Black Sabbath,” as it ended Iommi’s period of writer’s block.

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Sweet Leaf

This marijuana-referencing track appeared on the band’s 1971 album Masters of Reality.

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Iron Man

Iron Man appeared on 1970’s Paranoid and features one of the most well-known Black Sabbath guitar riffs.

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Hand of Doom

Hand of Doom, which also appeared on Paranoid, refers to the drug addictions that affected U.S. veterans of the Vietnam War, who were arriving in England at the time.

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Paranoid

Paranoid was a single released off the 1970 album by the same name, and it was the first single the band released.

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Hole In The Sky

 This is the first track on the 1975 album Sabotage, and it sets the tone for the rest of the record.

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War Pigs

War Pigs is the first track on the 1970 album Paranoid. It was originally titled Warpurgis, the name of the Witches’ Sabbath.

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Changes

Changes appeared on the 1972 album Vol. 4, and it features a piano melody, a rare sound for Black Sabbath.

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N.I.B.

This track appeared on their eponymous debut album, 1970’s Black Sabbath. It features lyrics as told from the point of view of the devil, Lucifer.

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Children of the Grave

Children of the Grave appeared on the 1971 album Masters of Reality, and it focused on the idea of non-violent civil disobedience to protest war.

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