Black Sabbath (album)
Updated: 12/10/2025, 8:58:13 PM Wikipedia source
Black Sabbath is the debut studio album by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released on 13 February 1970 by Vertigo Records in the United Kingdom and on 1 June 1970 by Warner Bros. Records in the United States. The album is widely regarded as the first true metal album, and the opening title track, "Black Sabbath", was named the greatest heavy metal song of all time by Rolling Stone and has been referred to as the first doom metal song. Black Sabbath received generally negative reviews from critics upon its release but was a commercial success, reaching number eight on the UK Albums Charts and number 23 on the US Billboard Top LPs chart. It has retrospectively garnered reappraisal as one of the greatest and most influential heavy metal albums of all time. Black Sabbath is included in Robert Dimery's 2005 musical reference book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Infobox
Released
13 February 1970 (1970-02-13)
Recorded
16 October 1969
Studio
Regent Sounds (London)
Genre
Heavy metal
Length
38:08 (UK) 39:24 (US)
Label
Vertigo (UK)Warner Bros. (US)
Producer
Rodger Bain
Tables
Professional ratings · Retrospective reviews and legacy
Review scores
Review scores
Retrospective reviews
Review scores
Source
Source
Retrospective reviews
Source
Retrospective reviews
Rating
AllMusic
AllMusic
Retrospective reviews
AllMusic
Retrospective reviews
Christgau's Record Guide
Christgau's Record Guide
Retrospective reviews
Christgau's Record Guide
Retrospective reviews
C−
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal
Retrospective reviews
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal
Retrospective reviews
8/10
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Retrospective reviews
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Retrospective reviews
MusicHound Rock
MusicHound Rock
Retrospective reviews
MusicHound Rock
Retrospective reviews
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Retrospective reviews
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Retrospective reviews
Sputnikmusic
Sputnikmusic
Retrospective reviews
Sputnikmusic
Retrospective reviews
4/55/5
Uncut
Uncut
Retrospective reviews
Uncut
Retrospective reviews
7/10
| Retrospective reviews | |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Christgau's Record Guide | C− |
| Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 8/10 |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
| MusicHound Rock | |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| Sputnikmusic | 4/55/5 |
| Uncut | 7/10 |
· Charts
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Chart (1970)
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Peakposition
8
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Chart (1970)
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Peakposition
29
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Chart (1970)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Peakposition
6
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Chart (1970)
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Peakposition
13
French Albums (SNEP)
French Albums (SNEP)
Chart (1970)
French Albums (SNEP)
Peakposition
10
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (1970)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peakposition
8
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (1970)
UK Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
8
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (1970)
US Billboard 200
Peakposition
23
| Chart (1970) | Peakposition |
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) | 8 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM) | 29 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) | 6 |
| Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts) | 13 |
| French Albums (SNEP) | 10 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 8 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 8 |
| US Billboard 200 | 23 |
· Charts
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Chart (2022–2025)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Peakposition
96
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Chart (2022–2025)
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Peakposition
18
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)
Chart (2022–2025)
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)
Peakposition
14
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Chart (2022–2025)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
24
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
Chart (2022–2025)
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
11
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
Chart (2022–2025)
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
3
| Chart (2022–2025) | Peakposition |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) | 96 |
| Greek Albums (IFPI) | 18 |
| Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ) | 14 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) | 24 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC) | 11 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC) | 3 |
· Certifications
Canada (Music Canada)
Canada (Music Canada)
Region
Canada (Music Canada)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) 2009 deluxe edition
United Kingdom (BPI) 2009 deluxe edition
Region
United Kingdom (BPI) 2009 deluxe edition
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
100,000^
United States (RIAA)
United States (RIAA)
Region
United States (RIAA)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
1,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Region
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Canada (Music Canada) | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) 2009 deluxe edition | Gold | 100,000^ |
| United States (RIAA) | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- Other sources give 17 November 1969 as the date of recording.
- Although it is described as an instrumental, it is a complete song with vocals.
- metal.mit.eduhttps://web.archive.org/web/20170201235433/https://metal.mit.edu/brief-history-metal
- Osbourne 2010, p. 74.
- Loudwirehttps://loudwire.com/black-sabbath-album-anniversary-invent-metal/
- "The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time"https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-heavy-metal-songs-1234688425/black-sabbath-black-sabbath-4-1234688429/
- Black Sabbath and Philosophy: Mastering Reality
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1970-12-26/
- Black Sabbathhttps://www.newspapers.com/image/435253315/?terms=black%20sabbath&match=1
- Huey.
- Wagner 2010, p. 10.
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-100-greatest-debut-albums-of-all-time-20130322/black-sabbath-19691231
- Sputnikmusichttps://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/8742/Black-Sabbath-Black-Sabbath/
- "Black Sabbath Biography"https://web.archive.org/web/20150921203531/https://rockhall.com/inductees/black-sabbath/bio/
- Spinhttps://books.google.com/books?id=nCou4cnn-ZkC&q=black+sabbath+stoner&pg=PA84
- Iommi & Lammers 2012, chapter 14 – The early birds catch the first songs.
- Black Sabbath Story Vol. 1
- Iommi & Lammers 2012, chapter 16 – Black Sabbath records: Black Sabbath
- Osbourne 2010, p. 99.
- Black Sabbath
- "20 Questions with Geezer Butler"https://web.archive.org/web/20131115070350/http://www.metalsludge.tv/?p=27412
- Levy 2005, p. 169.
- Music Weekhttps://web.archive.org/web/20120305025601/http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=2&storycode=1037239
- Rosen 1996, p. 38
- www.ultimate-guitar.comhttps://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/tony_iommi_after_my_finger_accident_i_used_banjo_strings.html
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/black-sabbath-cover-art-keef-keith-macmillan-interview-951578/
- Loudwirehttps://loudwire.com/black-sabbath-cover-woman-black-figure/?trackback=fbshare_mobile&fbclid=IwAR3hbRW2Cs6hDlFq-s4ySHR8IMoMNtfZb9jUlTnkFyXmxxwt8d9rPbXHNTI
- Osbourne 2010, p. 103
- Iommi & Lammers 2012, chapter 17 – Now under new management
- Classic Rock
- "The Official Charts Company – Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath Search"https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/black-sabbath-black-sabbath/
- George-Warren 2001, p. 82.
- AllMusichttp://www.allmusic.com/album/black-sabbath-mw0000652046/awards
- "AMG Biography"https://www.allmusic.com/artist/black-sabbath-mn0000771438/biography
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/black-sabbath/biography
- Black Sabbath: Sabbath Bloody Sabbathhttps://books.google.com/books?id=xZvnIUXk8uwC&pg=PT119
- Black Sabbathhttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/black-sabbath-19700917
- The Village Voicehttp://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg14.php
- Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventieshttp://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=6408
- Black Sabbath: Symptom of the Universe
- The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 1: The Seventies
- Encyclopedia of Popular Music
- Graff & Durchholz 1999, p. 1187.
- Rolling Stonehttps://web.archive.org/web/20110306133206/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/black-sabbath/albumguide
- Sputnikmusichttps://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/80846/Black-Sabbath-Black-Sabbath/
- Uncut
- "Black Sabbath: Black Sabbath Review"https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/r3gb/
- Kerrang!
- Larkin 1994, p. 183.
- Q
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/black-sabbath-black-sabbath-20120524
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/black-sabbath-black-sabbath-3-1062878/
- Rolling Stonehttps://web.archive.org/web/20210814103803/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-best-debut-albums-of-all-time-143608/black-sabbath-16-228876/
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-100-greatest-metal-albums-of-all-time-113614/black-sabbath-black-sabbath-1970-2-115672/
- 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition
- As per the album labels from the original North American LP release of Black Sabbath, Warner Bros. Records, catalogue no
- Australian Chart Book 1970–1992
- "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3844". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 30, 2023.https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.3844&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.3844.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.3844
- "Dutchcharts.nl – Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Black+Sabbath&cat=a
- Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972
- Infodisc.frhttps://web.archive.org/web/20141022124902/http://infodisc.fr/Album_B.php
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 9, 2024.https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-
- "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/19700510/7502/
- "Black Sabbath Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2023.https://www.billboard.com/artist/Black-Sabbath/chart-history/TLP
- "Ultratop.be – Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 August 2025.https://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Black+Sabbath&cat=a
- "Official IFPI Charts Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Combined) – Εβδομάδα: 46/2025"https://web.archive.org/web/20251119110612/https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html
- "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2025. 30. hét"https://slagerlistak.hu/album-top-40-slagerlista-fizikai-hanghordozok/2025/30
- "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20221021/40/
- "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20221021/131/
- "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/rock-and-metal-albums-chart/20221021/112/
- "Canadian album certifications – Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath"https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=Black+Sabbath%20Black+Sabbath
- "British album certifications – Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath"https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/10204-1046-2
- "American album certifications – Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath"https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Black+Sabbath&ti=Black+Sabbath&format=Album&type=#search_section