Black Sabbath - Paranoid
Critic Score
Based on 6 reviews
1970 Ratings: #18 / 161
User Score
1970 Rank: #2All Time: #91
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
AllMusic

Paranoid refined Black Sabbath's signature sound -- crushingly loud, minor-key dirges loosely based on heavy blues-rock -- and applied it to a newly consistent set of songs with utterly memorable riffs, most of which now rank as all-time metal classics.

100
SPIN
Thirty years before Ozzy Osbourne was a nutty TV dad, he screamed about war and mutilation over Tony Iommi's demonic guitar, in the genre's first, and scariest, band.
95
Pitchfork
The dawn of metal, a document of dreary working-class blight and anti-war screeds.
80
Sputnikmusic

Even though in the past 36 years many bands have come up with faster, heavier, darker, more technical, albums, Paranoid still stands strong next to the albums it influenced.

Notfunnyperson
92

Good

Shaze1
96

I can relate to this album because my doctor told me I have paranoid schizophrenia (insert uncanny smiling emoji)

This is the 2nd album by Black Sabbath, which is an absolute powerhouse and has solidified its place in the hall of fame of heavy metal history. Released in 1970, this iconic record has stood the test of time, captivating generations of fans with its dark, heavy sound and thought-provoking lyrics.

Right from the get-go, the album immediately grabs your attention with its ... read more

UltimateLifeFrm
90

Checking out a band that I've been well aware of due to my mum having a greatest hits album of theirs when I was a kid: Black Sabbath.

Paranoid is the 2nd album from the English heavy metal band. Released in September 1970, it was recorded in Regent Sound & Island Studios (both based in London) from 16-18 of June that year.

It is considered to be one of the best heavy metal albums of all time and is highly influential in the genre.

Lyrically, Black Sabbath apporoach a lot of critical ... read more

kineticsocks
95

This instrumental dragged me to a dark room and beat me to death

Yug
99

Immaculate conception ; not the doctrines but the mind boggling metaphors and writings that are prevalent throughout this album signifying the repercussions of pompous fools who grin with power .

Whether its tony's Sinister riffs on electric funeral , ozzy's remonstrating writings on war pigs , geezer's rythmic bassline on iron man ,or bill's drumming prowess on hand of doom ; everyone is accentuating in each song .

I will highlight it now , hand of doom is my favourite song on the album ... read more

upmysleeves
70

I think maybe this album is... good

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Track List

1War Pigs
7:54
97
2Paranoid
2:48
96
3Planet Caravan
4:29
88
4Iron Man
5:55
96
5Electric Funeral
4:49
92
6Hand of Doom
7:08
92
7Rat Salad
2:30
85
8Fairies Wear Boots
6:12
91
Total Length: 41 minutes

Year End Lists

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Added on: February 3, 2013