Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Updated: 12/11/2025, 10:46:51 AM Wikipedia source
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is the fifth studio album by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released in November 1973. It was produced by the band and recorded at Morgan Studios in London in September 1973. The writing process for the album, which began in Los Angeles, California, was initially hampered in part by the band's substance abuse and fatigue following their 1972–1973 world tour in support of their previous album, Vol. 4. The band then relocated to Clearwell Castle in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England, where guitarist Tony Iommi conceived the main riff of what became the album's title track and lead single.
Infobox
Released
November 1973
Recorded
September 1973
Studio
Morgan (London)
Genre
Heavy metal
Length
42:32
Label
WWA (UK) Vertigo (Europe) Warner Bros. (US)
Producer
Black Sabbath
Tables
Professional ratings · Release and reception
Source
Source
Review scores
Source
Review scores
Rating
AllMusic
AllMusic
Review scores
AllMusic
Review scores
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Review scores
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Review scores
MusicHound Rock
MusicHound Rock
Review scores
MusicHound Rock
Review scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Review scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Review scores
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Review scores
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Review scores
4/10
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
| MusicHound Rock | |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 4/10 |
· Charts
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Chart (1973–1974)
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Peakposition
5
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Chart (1973–1974)
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Peakposition
17
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Chart (1973–1974)
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Peakposition
25
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (1973–1974)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peakposition
49
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Chart (1973–1974)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Peakposition
57
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Chart (1973–1974)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Peakposition
6
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (1973–1974)
UK Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
4
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (1973–1974)
US Billboard 200
Peakposition
11
| Chart (1973–1974) | Peakposition |
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) | 5 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM) | 17 |
| Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts) | 25 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 49 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) | 57 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) | 6 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 4 |
| US Billboard 200 | 11 |
· Charts
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Chart (2020–2021)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Peakposition
62
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (2020–2021)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peakposition
13[failed verification]
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Chart (2020–2021)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
25
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Chart (2020–2021)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Peakposition
71
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
Chart (2020–2021)
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
12
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
Chart (2020–2021)
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
2
| Chart (2020–2021) | Peakposition |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) | 62 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 13[failed verification] |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) | 25 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) | 71 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC) | 12 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC) | 2 |
· Charts
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Chart (2025)
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Peakposition
20
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Chart (2025)
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Peakposition
94
| Chart (2025) | Peakposition |
| Croatian International Albums (HDU) | 20 |
| Greek Albums (IFPI) | 94 |
· Certifications
Canada (Music Canada)
Canada (Music Canada)
Region
Canada (Music Canada)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) 1973 release
United Kingdom (BPI) 1973 release
Region
United Kingdom (BPI) 1973 release
Certification
Silver
Certified units/sales
60,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) 2009 release
United Kingdom (BPI) 2009 release
Region
United Kingdom (BPI) 2009 release
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.‡ 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) | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) 1973 release | Silver | 60,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) 2009 release | Gold | 100,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA) | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- Discogshttps://www.discogs.com/release/2596401-Black-Sabbath-Sabbath-Bloody-Sabbath?srsltid=AfmBOoqUaBeeHo5jNG-5T_WT9xPN6i9Fh2BYmr4OjqTbbIHKyU_XFD2f
- Black-sabbath.comhttps://www.black-sabbath.com/discography/blacksabbath/sabbathbloodysabbath/
- Rosen 1996, p. 76
- Rosen 1996, p. 79
- Rosen 1996, p. 77
- Chris Welch, Close to the Edge: The Story of Yes, pg. 141, Omnibus Press (2003), ISBN 0-7119-9509-5https://books.google.com/books?id=vKlQYhKiuiQC&dq=%22I+was+playing+darts+with+the+guys%22&pg=PA141
- Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbathhttps://archive.org/details/ironmanmyjourney00iomm_0
- I Am Ozzy
- Decibel Magazinehttps://www.decibelmagazine.com/2016/06/23/sabbath-bloody-sabbath-the-story-behind-the-artwork/
- Rivadavia, Eduardo. Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath > Review" at AllMusic. Retrieved 25 February 2008.https://www.allmusic.com/album/r2002/review
- Rolling Stonehttps://web.archive.org/web/20120427215415/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/black-sabbath/albumguide
- Spin Alternative Record Guide
- The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
- MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guidehttps://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612
- Black-sabbath.comhttps://www.black-sabbath.com/discography/blacksabbath/sabbathbloodysabbath/
- Sabbath, Bloody Sabbathhttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/sabbath-bloody-sabbath-19740213
- Sabbath Bloody Sabbathhttps://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/Sabbath%20Bloody%20Sabbath
- "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath > Billboard albums" at AllMusic. Retrieved 30 January 2009.https://www.allmusic.com/album/r2002/charts-awards
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- The Bicycle Music Company. (2014). Vintage Drowning Pool - Dave's Desert Island Albums UnluckySinner13. Retrieved July 2https://web.archive.org/web/20230721104031/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6Y4m7hJ58Y
- Louder Soundhttps://www.loudersound.com/music/tracks-singles/the-40-best-black-sabbath-songs-ever
- Australian Chart Book 1970–1992
- "Top RPM Albums: Issue 12149". 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=nlc008388.12149&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.12149.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.12149
- Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved Octoberhttps://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-10083
- Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005
- "Norwegiancharts.com – Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.https://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Sabbath+Bloody+Sabbath&cat=a
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- "Austriancharts.at – Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Sabbath+Bloody+Sabbath&cat=a
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved Octoberhttps://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-12149
- "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20211001/40/
- "Swisscharts.com – Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Sabbath+Bloody+Sabbath&cat=a
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- "Canadian album certifications – Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=Sabbath+Bloody+Sabbath%20Black+Sabbath
- Ewbankauctions.co.ukhttps://www.ewbankauctions.co.uk/20201029M1-lot-0-Black-Sabbath-Sabbath-Bloody-Sabbath-Certified-b-p-i-Sales-Award-disc?view=lot_detail&auction_id=608
- "British album certifications – Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/5657-1046-2
- "American album certifications – Black Sabbath – Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath"https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Black+Sabbath&ti=Sabbath%2C+Bloody+Sabbath&format=Album&type=#search_section