Out of first six, that is. Anything released after those, is irrelevant.

Vol4 to me is the one.

Although Paranoid is simply incredible.

Those first 6 lp's, my phave music from the seventies.

This is extremely hard, but it's Master of Reality by the finest margin.

Vol. 4 reigns supreme. I think it's that or Raw Power that I'd nominate as the greatest rock record of all time.

FWIW, I'd say Heaven and Hell is only a slither off the quality of the first 6, I'd take the 2 Dio records over the last 2 Ozzy records in a heartbeat... Headless Cross is pretty solid too...

Paranoid, but major waffles due to the s/t debut and Master.

FWIW, Live At Last (recorded in 73, "released" in 80) is peak Sabbath, even though it sounds like it was recorded with a hand-held hidden inside a sock.

A_Man_Who_Tries wrote: Fri Oct 08, 2021 7:49 am This is extremely hard, but it's Master of Reality by the finest margin.

This.

I'd go with Paranoid. Vol. 4 just has too many hippie dippy parts on it.

kicker_of_elves wrote: Fri Oct 08, 2021 8:32 am FWIW, Live At Last (recorded in 73, "released" in 80) is peak Sabbath, even though it sounds like it was recorded with a hand-held hidden inside a sock.

Agreed! The version of 'Sweet Leaf' on it is crushing.

Master of Reality with Paranoid being a super close second.

Outside of a few songs, I don't love Vol 4 as much as the next guy. A couple of great tracks, a couple lousy ones, and that one with the out of tune arpeggiation (Snowblind) that DRIVES ME BONKERS. Also, Sabotage is much better than it gets credit for.

Master of Reality
Paranoid
Black Sabbath

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath/Vol 4/Sabotage (all about equal footing, maybe just barely in that order if pressed though. And I might change my mind every day of the week.)

jason from volo wrote: Fri Oct 08, 2021 8:55 am Another vote for Paranoid. Radio has somehow not killed this album.

Best song is still "Black Sabbath" though.

< EDIT > This thread makes me want to watch that 1970 Paris concert again. </EDIT>

In the grand tradition of UK metal bands with song/album/band names.

Black Sabbath/Black Sabbath/Black Sabbath
Iron Maiden/Iron Maiden/Iron Maiden
Motorhead/Motorhead/Motorhead

Master of Reality for me, with Vol.4 close behind.