Absolutely essential Rock band. I know they're often perceived as a third-rate cheesy metal band, no thanks to Ozzy Osbourne's lame solo career and their own stream of worthless records since the mid-to-late 70s. But on their prime they just couldn't be beat. Tonny Iommy's ungodly guitar crunch and the overall dark vibe launched a thousand copycats. There's a reason acts such as Melvins, Nirvana, Sunn O)), Cathedral, Sleep, Daft Punk (yes!, they nicked the Iron Man intro for their very own The Brainwasher), Soundgarden, Godflesh, etc. are/were hugely influenced by these dudes!.

An absolute masterpiece. You simply won't find a better pop/rock record than this. Not just because the songs are brilliant, but because the album also had an experimental side that never obscured their superb pop hooks or viceversa. In other words, they translated experimental music for the general populace without vulgarizing the original source, no mean feat.

A knockout record, way better than the much-discussed Sgt. Peppers as far as I'm concerned.

This band deserves a lot more recognition, because they kick ass. The press often compare them with The Young Gods, but they only resemble them in the sampling and overall feel. Programme discards the lush elements of that band, focusing on a dark, blunt attack, with the vocals singing social commentary in a dry, declamatory fashion (similar to bands like The Fall or Gang Of Four). I recommend this to anybody looking for dark music with an agenda (it's a pity the lyrics are in french).

Today's top producer Aaron Funk aka Venetian Snares tries his hand at a Ragga/Jungle style, or rather, he adds these influences to his trademark maniacal Breakcore, with amazing results. You know you need this...