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Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath album cover

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Genre:

Rock

Style:

Blues Rock, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Doom Metal

Year:

Tracklist

Black Sabbath6:22
The Wizard4:25
Behind The Wall Of Sleep3:37
N.I.B.6:07
Evil Woman, Don't Play Your Games With Me3:27
Sleeping Village3:46
Warning10:33

Credits (8)

Notes

Black Sabbath is their first studio album and features the female model Louisa Livingstone. The album was recorded in one 8 hour session in October 1969 at Regent Sound Studios. The original European version of the record featured the pre-album single "Evil Woman" as the first track on the B-side while the North American version featured the song "Wicked World" (the B-side to the "Evil Woman" single) as the lead track on the second side of the record. Some current CD versions of the album now feature both tracks.

The North American version also features more song titles than actual songs. These extra titles are often believed to refer to the intros of certain songs:
"Wasp" is believed to refer to the intro of "Behind The Wall Of Sleep"
"Bassically" refers to the bass solo that opens "N.I.B.".
"A Bit Of Finger" is believed to refer to the acoustic intro of "Sleeping Village".
North American versions also usually group "Wasp", "Behind The Wall Of Sleep", "Bassically", and "N.I.B." on one track and "A Bit Of Finger", "Sleeping Village" and "Warning" on another single track, while European versions separate all the tracks.

First Black Sabbath album in the UK on the iconic Vertigo Swirl label has been issued three times before eventually being reissued on the Spaceship label:
This 1st UK press with large swirl logo and ‘A PHILIPS RECORD PRODUCT’, erroneous 'Warning' credits
This 2nd UK press with large swirl logo, correct credits
This 3rd UK press large swirl logo, different label text position and letter register at credits
This 4th UK press small swirl logo and different letter register at credits

Versions

Filter by
    508 versions
    Image, – In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory
    		Version DetailsData Quality
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970-02-13, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Stereo, Phonodisc Ltd. Pressing, Gatefold
    		Vertigo – VO 6, Vertigo – 847 903 VTYUK1970UK — 1970
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Gatefold
    		Vertigo – VO 6, Vertigo – 847 903 VTYGermany1970Germany — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
    		Vertigo – VO 6, Vertigo – 847 903 VTY, Vertigo – 847.903 VTYFrance1970France — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Record Made In Italy
    		Vertigo – VO 6, Vertigo – 847 903 VTYUK & Europe1970UK & Europe — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Pitman Pressing
    		Warner Bros. Records – WS 1871, Warner Bros. Records – 1871US1970US — 1970
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, CassetteBlack Sabbath
    Cassette, Album
    		Vertigo – 7138 001France1970France — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Club Edition
    		Fontana – 847903 VTYAustralia1970Australia — 1970
    New Submission
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album
    		Warner Bros. Records – WS 1871, Warner Bros. Records – 1871Canada1970Canada — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Gatefold
    		Vertigo – 58 47 903Spain1970Spain — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
    		Vertigo – VO 6, Vertigo – 847 903 VTYGermany1970Germany — 1970
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Stereo
    		Philips – PHI-5120-9Philippines1970Philippines — 1970
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Gatefold
    		Vertigo – 847 903 VTYNetherlands1970Netherlands — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Gatefold
    		Vertigo – VO 6, Vertigo – 847 903 VTY, Vertigo – 847.903 VTYFrance1970France — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of 黒い安息日 = Black Sabbath, 1970, Vinyl黒い安息日 = Black Sabbath
    LP, Album, 1950 Yen Stated On The Obi
    		Philips – SFX-7203Japan1970Japan — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album
    		Phonodor – 12182, Vertigo – 12182Israel1970Israel — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Gatefold
    		Vertigo – VO 6, Vertigo – 847 903 VTYUK1970UK — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Repress
    		Vertigo – VO 6, Vertigo – 847 903 VTYUK1970UK — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album
    		Vertigo – VO 6, Vertigo – 847 903 VTYItaly1970Italy — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Laminated, Gatefold
    		Fontana – 847903 VTYAustralia1970Australia — 1970
    New Submission
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Capitol Record Club
    		Warner Bros. Records – 1871, Warner Bros. Records – ST-93419US1970US — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Gatefold
    		Vertigo – 5847903New Zealand1970New Zealand — 1970
    New Submission
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, Reel-To-ReelBlack Sabbath
    Reel-To-Reel, 3 ¾ ips, ¼", 4-Track Stereo, 7" Cine Reel, Album
    		Warner Bros. Records – WST 1871 B, Warner Bros. Records – 1871US1970US — 1970
    New Submission
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, 8-Track CartridgeBlack Sabbath
    8-Track Cartridge, Album
    		Warner Bros. Records – M 81871US1970US — 1970
    New Submission
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album
    		Vertigo – VO 6, Vertigo – 847 903 VTYUK1970UK — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album
    		Vertigo – VO 6, Vertigo – 847 903South Africa1970South Africa — 1970
    New Submission
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Pitman
    		Warner Bros. Records – WS 1871, Warner Bros. Records – 1871US1970US — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Promo, Stereo
    		Warner Bros. Records – WS 1871US1970US — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, ¥2,000
    		Philips – SFX-7203Japan1970Japan — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Stereo, Indianapolis Pressing
    		Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records – 1871, Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records – WS 1871US1970US — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Stereo, Terre Haute Pressing
    		Warner Bros. Records – WS 1871US1970US — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, CassetteBlack Sabbath
    Cassette, Album, Stereo
    		Warner Bros. Records – M 51871US1970US — 1970
    New Submission
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Gatefold
    		Vertigo – VO 6, Vertigo – 847 903 VTYNetherlands1970Netherlands — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, 4-Track CartridgeBlack Sabbath
    4-Track Cartridge, Album, Stereo
    		Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records – 4WA-1871US1970US — 1970
    New Submission
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, 8-Track CartridgeBlack Sabbath
    8-Track Cartridge, Album, Stereo
    		Warner Bros. Records – M 81871US1970US — 1970
    New Submission
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, 4-Track CartridgeBlack Sabbath
    4-Track Cartridge, Album, Stereo
    		Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records – 4WA-1871US1970US — 1970
    New Submission
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album
    		Vertigo – VO 6, Vertigo – 847 903 VTYItaly1970Italy — 1970
    New Submission
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Stereo, Jacksonville Pressing
    		Warner Bros. Records – ST 93419US1970US — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Gatefold
    		Vertigo – VO 6, Vertigo – 847 903 VTYUK1970UK — 1970
    New Submission
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, VinylBlack Sabbath
    LP, Album, Stereo, Phonodisc Pressing
    		Vertigo – 847 903 VTY, Vertigo – VO 6UK1970UK — 1970
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Black Sabbath, 1970, CassetteBlack Sabbath
    Cassette, Album, Slipcase
    		Warner Bros. Records – M51871US1970US — 1970
    Recently Edited

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    Reviews

    • NervousNick's avatar
      NervousNick
      Sounds really good but not perfect.
      It’s definetely wider soundjng than the other pressings I own.
      Guitars are spectacular, but it lacks a bit of bottom end on the bass and the drums.
      The sound of tbe cymbals is really annoying, way too thin and unnatural.
      B-side is better than A-side.
      Other than that, the pressing is really good and the packaging is beautiful, but it’s a pain in the ass to put the record back jn the tight sleeve.
      • tyrant_virus's avatar
        tyrant_virus
        Great pressing of the album that started it all. Not much more to say.
        • telefihi's avatar
          telefihi
          Edited 3 days ago
          Has a lot top end. Not to the point of making things thin or tinny. Just adds some sizzle and air to the cymbals etc.
          • hvaladares's avatar
            hvaladares
            Edited 7 days ago
            MY GOD! I hadn’t listened to this pressing since when I bought it, in August 2019. Idk why I had acquired the certainty it didn’t sound good at all. Maybe I got Influenced by reading it is not AAA.

            But you know what, who cares? Because THIS SOUNDS MASSIVE !! So so so good !! OFC LP1 sounds way better and there are some problems with sound on LP2, some good sibilance. But everything is amazing, and the original never sounded so good to me. And I’m the annoying audiophile type.
            • rperkins65's avatar
              rperkins65
              My 2 cents… the pressing and packaging are wonderful, flawless , the sound is also really good, its definitely lacking in the bottom end. The bottom end is definitely there its just more clear and less ominous, if u are use to the original press and how it sounds and are NOT open to slightly different sound then this is not for u … on the other hand if u would be willing to sacrifice some bottom end and darkness for more detail then this is recommended. I have I think 6 different pressings of this album and most if not all sound great, just a little different based on who cut it. If u love this album come in with an open mind there is much to love here! Enjoy
              • Nick8712's avatar
                Nick8712
                This unmastered CD is by far the best sounding version. Way better than the RHF and original pressing
                • tomwebb101's avatar
                  tomwebb101
                  Ooof.... yet another KPG Rhino Hifi dud.

                  WAY too bright and unnatural sounding. The cymbals and snares sound plain wrong. There is baked in distortion in the cutting which is a KPG specialty, so as each side gets near the end his unpleasant mastering breaks apart. Ozzy frankly sounds broken as side one ends.

                  The pressing itself is good. Not the outright silence of some audiophile presses but not far off. Its flat and centered.

                  I like the packaging as ever this series has that bit nailed even if the inner sleeve does not fit again.

                  But in all honesty ive got a badly mastered CD that sounds less fatiguing and more rich. This is a facsimile of this album. Like a skeleton of a sound with no meat on the bones or a TV with the colour turned to zero and all contrast settings to the max. I simply cannot sell it fast enough.
                  • therapyinvinyl's avatar
                    therapyinvinyl
                    For $40, absolutely one of the best sounding records I've ever heard. No wonder "Paranoid" sold out so quickly on its first run.
                    • mcgoum20's avatar
                      mcgoum20
                      Great pressing, and amazing presentation with the really nice tip on jacket. The pressing quality is as good as it gets too, pretty much dead quiet throughout with no cleaning required. But I've had a couple over the past few years, and I think its slightly bested by the US White Label promo I have. Its a hard to find pressing for an affordable price thats clean for most, so for all intents and purposes this is going to be the best 99% of people will be able to do.

                      This is how I'd rate the other pressings I have with it:

                      1. 1970 US White Label Promo
                      2. Rhino HiFi
                      3. 1970 US Greenie, all 3 of these are super close just an fyi
                      4. 2010 Rhino AAA by Ron McMaster, probably the best bass I've heard for this album ever, but its a tad too bright
                      5. 1970 UK 3rd Vertigo Pressing
                      6. Mid 70s US Palm Tree Label
                      • Check.the.Cool.Wax's avatar
                        Check.the.Cool.Wax
                        I've got an EX/NM copy in yellow if anyone is looking for this

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                        • Ratings:16853
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