Master of Reality
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Master of Reality is the third studio album by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released on 6 August 1971 by Vertigo Records. It is regarded by some critics as the foundation of stoner rock and sludge metal. Produced by Rodger Bain, who also produced the band's prior two albums, Master of Reality was recorded at Island Studios in London from February to April 1971. This would end up being their last album produced by Bain, as production duties would be taken over by guitarist Tony Iommi for their subsequent albums. Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler downtuned their instruments during the production, achieving what Iommi called a "bigger, heavier sound". The band generally approached the album with a more experimental lens, partly due to having more time to record and write than on their previous albums. Master of Reality peaked at number five on the UK Albums Chart and number eight on the US Billboard 200. Though negatively received by critics on release, the album is now considered one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time. It was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) after having sold over two million copies in the US.