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Master of Reality

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Master of Reality

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. Guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler downtuned their instruments during the production, achieving what Iommi called a "bigger, heavier sound". 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.

Infobox

Released
6 August 1971
Recorded
7–15 February 1971 6–13 April 1971
Studio
Island (London)
Genre
Heavy metal
Length
34:29
Label
Vertigo (Europe) Warner Bros. (US)
Producer
Rodger Bain

Tables

Retrospective professional reviews · Reception and legacy
Source
Source
Review scores
Source
Review scores
Rating
AllMusic
AllMusic
Review scores
AllMusic
Review scores
Christgau's Record Guide
Christgau's Record Guide
Review scores
Christgau's Record Guide
Review scores
C−
MusicHound Rock
MusicHound Rock
Review scores
MusicHound Rock
Review scores
Q
Q
Review scores
Q
Review scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide (1992)
The Rolling Stone Album Guide (1992)
Review scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide (1992)
Review scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide (2004)
The Rolling Stone Album Guide (2004)
Review scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide (2004)
Review scores
Sputnikmusic
Sputnikmusic
Review scores
Sputnikmusic
Review scores
4/5
Uncut
Uncut
Review scores
Uncut
Review scores
9/10
Review scores
Source
Rating
AllMusic
Christgau's Record Guide
C−
MusicHound Rock
Q
The Rolling Stone Album Guide (1992)
The Rolling Stone Album Guide (2004)
Sputnikmusic
4/5
Uncut
9/10
Initial weekly chart performance for Master of Reality · Charts › Weekly charts
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Chart (1971)
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Peakposition
4
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Chart (1971)
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Peakposition
6
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Chart (1971)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Peakposition
10
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Chart (1971)
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Peakposition
3
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (1971)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peakposition
5
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)
Chart (1971)
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)
Peakposition
8
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Chart (1971)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Peakposition
12
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (1971)
UK Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
5
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (1971)
US Billboard 200
Peakposition
8
Chart (1971)
Peakposition
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
4
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
6
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
10
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
3
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
5
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)
8
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
12
UK Albums (OCC)
5
US Billboard 200
8
Later weekly chart performance for Master of Reality · Charts › Weekly charts
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Chart (2016–2025)
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Peakposition
11
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Chart (2016–2025)
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Peakposition
5
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Chart (2016–2025)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
13
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (2016–2025)
UK Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
51
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
Chart (2016–2025)
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
3
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
Chart (2016–2025)
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
1
US Top Catalog Albums (Billboard)
US Top Catalog Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2016–2025)
US Top Catalog Albums (Billboard)
Peakposition
22
Chart (2016–2025)
Peakposition
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
11
Greek Albums (IFPI)
5
Scottish Albums (OCC)
13
UK Albums (OCC)
51
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
3
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
1
US Top Catalog Albums (Billboard)
22
1971 year-end chart performance for Master of Reality · Charts › Year-end charts
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Chart (1971)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Position
74
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (1971)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Position
40
Chart (1971)
Position
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
74
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
40
1972 year-end chart performance for Master of Reality · Charts › Year-end charts
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (1972)
US Billboard 200
Position
76
Chart (1972)
Position
US Billboard 200
76
· Certifications
Canada (Music Canada)
Canada (Music Canada)
Region
Canada (Music Canada)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)
United Kingdom (BPI)
Region
United Kingdom (BPI)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
100,000‡
United States (RIAA)
United States (RIAA)
Region
United States (RIAA)
Certification
2× Platinum
Certified units/sales
2,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
Certification
Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)
Platinum
100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)
Gold
100,000‡
United States (RIAA)
2× Platinum
2,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
· Release history
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Region
United Kingdom
Date
6 August 1971
Label
Vertigo
Format
LP
Catalog
6360 050
1992
1992
Region
1992
Date
Castle
Label
CD
Format
CA198
United States
United States
Region
United States
Date
16 August 1971
Label
Warner Bros.
Format
LP
Catalog
BS-2562
12 May 1987
12 May 1987
Region
12 May 1987
Date
CD
Label
2562–2
UK remastered
UK remastered
Region
UK remastered
Date
29 March 2009
Label
Sanctuary
Format
double CD
Catalog
2701108
Region
Date
Label
Format
Catalog
United Kingdom
6 August 1971
Vertigo
LP
6360 050
1992
Castle
CD
CA198
United States
16 August 1971
Warner Bros.
LP
BS-2562
12 May 1987
CD
2562–2
UK remastered
29 March 2009
Sanctuary
double CD
2701108

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