Black Sabbath continued to twist heavy metal into their own image with Master of Reality, and while their third LP doesn't boast the signature songs of their predecessor, it's remains a worthy entry in their frighteningly consistent onslaught of classic heavy metal.

Grade: A-

If Black Sabbath's first album invented metal, Paranoid refined it. Sabbath's sophomore effort includes several cornerstones of the genre ("War Pigs", "Iron Man", and the title track) that are instantly recognizable - but gems such as "Electric Funeral" and "Fairies Wear Boots" have been just as influential on the legions of metalheads that Sabbath spawned in 1970. Paranoid remains a rite of passage for the youth (of every generation) seeking to unleash ... read more

Black Sabbath's debut in 1970 sent shockwaves through space and time. Acting as heavy metal's herald (and simultaneously inventing doom metal), Sabbath's self-titled record paved the way for countless artists that would follow in their footsteps on the road to hell.

Grade: A+

Like a warm bath to wash away the stream of rubbish that's been released so far in 2020, the self-titled debut of trad-folk super group Bonny Light Horsemen has emerged as a supreme pleasure. Immersive, organic, and often beautiful, BLH is a revelation for fans of Offa Rex, or those desperately seeking new music boasting purity and substance, a veritable rarity.

Grade: A