The beginning of an era, I guess. Where hard-rock up till here was pitting pathos and violence against each other, Black Sabbath introduced (not very convincingly yet) elements of evil and anti-christian symbolism. Although completely paling in comparison with what the end of the last century and the beginning of this one spawned in this direction, the band plunges into realms hitherto uncraved for with mixed results. Black Sabbath attempts to express the antipode of the spiritual quest as advocated by countless progressive bands, but has not yet the ability to musically convince. The music is simply not evil enough to effectuate its claim. That doesn't mean that some of the stylistic traits this LP inaugurates do not have their merits. Grinding guitars, emphasis on strictly unswinging rhythms and heavy textures prevail everywhere, quite a combination. With unmelodic and thus unmannered heavy rock Black Sabbath proves that the straight line sometimes holds more power than the ornament. And don't forget that being first is a feat in itself. A lot left to cultivate here, but ''the beginning of an era'' holds true.