Best of the Ozzy Black Sabbath albums?

[40footwolf]

This is a pretty straightforward question, honestly. Which do you think was the best album made by Black Sabbath during the Ozzy years?

I happen to think it was their first one. Others got more technical, maybe, but I don't think anything since has managed to capture the sheer menace and force of their self-titled debut-and I'm including other bands in that, too.

What's your personal favorite?

[berk]

I like all the Ozzy albums I've heard, which is everything but the last two, Technical Ecstasy and I forget the other one, but I voted Vol. IV. Side two is solid, better than average Sabbath music, but much of it probably outdone by the very best tracks on other albums. But Side One clinches it for me. I remember being blown away by Tony Iommi's mournful guitar at the opening of Wheels of Confusion, and the rest of the track is just as good; Changes is one of the best metal (but is it really metal?) ballads ever; and Supernaut is maybe my favourite of their more up-tempo songs. And Side Two is no slouch either, with faves like Laguna Sunrise.

The rest of the albums, I'd have a hard time ranking, though they're all great. Last time I was still listening to a lot of Sabbath, I think Sabotage was the one that was catching my ear, probably because it was new to me at the time.

How are those last two Ozzy albums? Worth a listen?

[40footwolf]

I like all the Ozzy albums I've heard, which is everything but the last two, Technical Ecstasy and I forget the other one, but I voted Vol. IV. Side two is solid, better than average Sabbath music, but much of it probably outdone by the very best tracks on other albums. But Side One clinches it for me. I remember being blown away by Tony Iommi's mournful guitar at the opening of Wheels of Confusion, and the rest of the track is just as good; Changes is one of the best metal (but is it really metal?) ballads ever; and Supernaut is maybe my favourite of their more up-tempo songs. And Side Two is no slouch either, with faves like Laguna Sunrise.

The rest of the albums, I'd have a hard time ranking, though they're all great. Last time I was still listening to a lot of Sabbath, I think Sabotage was the one that was catching my ear, probably because it was new to me at the time.

How are those last two Ozzy albums? Worth a listen?
I haven't heard them myself, either. Word around the block is that Technical Ecstasy has little redeeming value and Never Say Die! has none.

I recently picked up Volume 4. I wasn't a huge fan at first but it's really starting to grow on me. "Snowblind", "Supernaut" and "Tomorrow's Dream" are the big winners on that one, to me.

[berk]

I haven't heard them myself, either. Word around the block is that Technical Ecstasy has little redeeming value and Never Say Die! has none.

I recently picked up Volume 4. I wasn't a huge fan at first but it's really starting to grow on me. "Snowblind", "Supernaut" and "Tomorrow's Dream" are the big winners on that one, to me.Oh yeah, Tomorrow's Dream, I knew I was forgetting one. Actually I'd rank that one above Supernaut, now I think of it.

[MarvelKnight]

Paranoid is my favorite.

[ZombieHavoc]

Techinical Ecstasy and Never Say Die are closer yo what Ozzy started sounding like in the 80s..comparitively. They are exactly like Blizzard of Oz or anything, by any means. Just getting more "heavy" than "doomy". I'd say they are more for die hards only. The casual Sabbath fan probably wouldn't find much use for them.

And I'm voting for Master of Reality, even though it is a close call with Vol. 4 and Paranoid. Master of Reality also doesn't have a single song I hate, while each other other two has one song that keeps it from being perfect (I *hate* "Planet Caravan" and "Changes").

But if you like Black Sabbath, you should listen to Witchfinder General. They took what Sabbath did and made it even better, in my opinion. NWOBHM band, circa the early 80s.

[verslibre]

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, by far. The title track is arguably the best thing the Ozzy-Sabbath line-up recorded.

[40footwolf]

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, by far. The title track is arguably the best thing the Ozzy-Sabbath line-up recorded.
That's funny, I never really liked Sabbath Bloody Sabbath that much. It definitely has it's moments-the title track, "A National Acrobat" and "Sabra Cadabra"-but I thought that the keyboards could get really goofy/excessive and the songwriting wasn't as heavy as it usually was.

That said, I'm kind of shocked that Paranoid is getting so much love.

[berk]

That's funny, I never really liked Sabbath Bloody Sabbath that much. It definitely has it's moments-the title track, "A National Acrobat" and "Sabra Cadabra"-but I thought that the keyboards could get really goofy/excessive and the songwriting wasn't as heavy as it usually was.

That said, I'm kind of shocked that Paranoid is getting so much love.Thinking back to the time, I'd say that those two really were the most popular back then, at least to my limited knowledge. I remember Sabbath Bloody Sabbath being a huge album, staying high on the charts for months - as I'd see in my older brother's music magazines - and Paranoid was definitely THE Sabbath album in most people's minds. I must sya, though, I don't really remember much about the music on Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, but that's probably because I never owned a copy of it. My brother borrowed it for a while from a friend, so I listened to it a bit, but unlike most of the other Ozzy/Sabbath albums, I can't hear any of that music in my head now at will.

[Adam C]

That said, I'm kind of shocked that Paranoid is getting so much love.

I'm not. I haven't even listened to the album but I see it continually mentioned as the definitive Black Sabbath album in the vein of IV/Zoso for Led Zeppelin and Daydream Nation for Sonic Youth.

[o1pickleboy]

I am going with Master of Reality. Children of the Grave and Sweat Leaf are awesome tracks. After Forever is Tony I. baby which is a great track too

[HectorP]

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath for me.

[Romero]

"Paranoid" is a great album. I'm not going to sit here and say it is the "Best" because I haven't heard all their other albums in their entirety.

Last week, I checked out a Sabbath Greatest Hits Album, 1970-78, from the library because I don't own much Sabbath. They cut "Iron Man" down to about 3 minutes by chopping out the solos. A travesty.

[Catman_3]

I love all 8 original Black Sabbath/Ozzy era albums!

Paranoid would have to be my favorite from the bunch since it was my introduction to the Sabs,

[jesse_custer]

Paranoid has "Electric Funeral."

Therefore, it wins.

[MainTheDread]

I am going with Master of Reality. Children of the Grave and Sweat Leaf are awesome tracks.

This, though it was hard with my obsession with Behind the Wall of Sleep as Sabbath's greatest song ever for me not to vote the Self Titled as number one. (of note, i'm only a fan of the first three albums anyway and somewhat the fourth...everything after i can do without)

[Cash Lone]

I chose Sabotage but I think Vol. 4 may be the sabs' best work. But when it comes down to it, the first 6 ozz albums with sabbath are all classic.

Technical Ecstasy however does sport one of my favorite album covers and Never say die has Johnny Blade - Iommi rips it up on that tune.