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Sabotage (Black Sabbath album)

Updated: 12/11/2025, 9:43:44 AM Wikipedia source

Sabotage is the sixth studio album by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released on 28 July 1975. The album was recorded in the midst of a legal battle with the band's former manager, Patrick Meehan. The stress that resulted from the band's ongoing legal woes infiltrated the recording process, inspiring the album's title. It was co-produced by guitarist Tony Iommi and Mike Butcher.

Infobox

Released
28 July 1975 (1975-07-28)
Recorded
February–March 1975
Studio
Morgan, London
Genre
Heavy metal progressive rock
Length
43:37
Label
NEMS (UK) Vertigo (Europe) Warner Bros. (US)
Producer
Black Sabbath Mike Butcher

Tables

Professional ratings · Release and reception
Source
Source
Aggregate scores
Source
Aggregate scores
Rating
Metacritic
Metacritic
Aggregate scores
Metacritic
Aggregate scores
92/100(super deluxe)
Review scores
Review scores
Aggregate scores
Review scores
Source
Source
Aggregate scores
Source
Aggregate scores
Rating
AllMusic
AllMusic
Aggregate scores
AllMusic
Aggregate scores
Classic Rock
Classic Rock
Aggregate scores
Classic Rock
Aggregate scores
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Aggregate scores
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Aggregate scores
The Great Rock Discography
The Great Rock Discography
Aggregate scores
The Great Rock Discography
Aggregate scores
7/10
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Aggregate scores
Rolling Stone
Aggregate scores
favourable
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Aggregate scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Aggregate scores
Sputnikmusic
Sputnikmusic
Aggregate scores
Sputnikmusic
Aggregate scores
4.7/5
MusicHound Rock
MusicHound Rock
Aggregate scores
MusicHound Rock
Aggregate scores
3/5
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Aggregate scores
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Aggregate scores
9/10
Aggregate scores
Source
Rating
Metacritic
92/100(super deluxe)
Review scores
Source
Rating
AllMusic
Classic Rock
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
The Great Rock Discography
7/10
Rolling Stone
favourable
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Sputnikmusic
4.7/5
MusicHound Rock
3/5
Spin Alternative Record Guide
9/10
· Charts
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Chart (1975)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Peakposition
6
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Chart (1975)
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Peakposition
33
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (1975)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peakposition
17
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Chart (1975)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Peakposition
33
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Chart (1975)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Peakposition
6
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (1975)
UK Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
7
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (1975)
US Billboard 200
Peakposition
28
Chart (1975)
Peakposition
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
6
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
33
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
17
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
33
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
6
UK Albums (OCC)
7
US Billboard 200
28
· Charts
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Chart (2021)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Peakposition
124
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Chart (2021)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Peakposition
109
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (2021)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peakposition
17
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Chart (2021)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
51
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Chart (2021)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Peakposition
25
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
Chart (2021)
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
32
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
Chart (2021)
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
7
Chart (2021)
Peakposition
Australian Albums (ARIA)
124
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
109
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
17
Scottish Albums (OCC)
51
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
25
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
32
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
7
· Charts
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Chart (2025)
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
Peakposition
30
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)
Chart (2025)
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)
Peakposition
40
Chart (2025)
Peakposition
Croatian International Albums (HDU)
30
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)
40
· Certifications
United Kingdom (BPI)
United Kingdom (BPI)
Region
United Kingdom (BPI)
Certification
Silver
Certified units/sales
60,000^
United States (RIAA)
United States (RIAA)
Region
United States (RIAA)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Region
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Region
Certification
Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)
Silver
60,000^
United States (RIAA)
Gold
500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. Some versions of Sabotage contain a short hidden track entitled "Blow on a Jug" starting at a very low volume 8:15 after
  2. Sabotage - Black Sabbath | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
    https://www.allmusic.com/album/sabotage-mw0000652467
  3. "Music Week"
    https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1976/Music-Week-1976-02-14.pdf
  4. Kerrang!
    https://www.kerrang.com/album-review-black-sabbath-sabotage-super-deluxe
  5. Loudersound.com
    https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-black-sabbath-made-sabotage
  6. Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath
    https://archive.org/details/ironmanmyjourney00iomm_0
  7. Circus
  8. Rosen 1996, p. 80
  9. Loudersound.com
    https://www.loudersound.com/features/black-sabbath-led-zeppelin-story-of-jam-session
  10. Southern Cross
  11. "Black Sabbath Online: Sabotage"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110611150933/http://www.black-sabbath.com/discog/sabotage.html
  12. Thequietus.com
    http://thequietus.com/articles/18120-black-sabbath-sabotage-anniversary-review
  13. I Am Ozzy
  14. Experiencing Black Sabbath
  15. The Tapes Archive
    https://www.thetapesarchive.com/black-sabbath-sabotage-documentary/
  16. Loudwire.com
    https://loudwire.com/black-sabbaths-sabotage-top-50-worst-album-covers/
  17. Sabotage – 2009 Remastered Edition liner notes.
  18. Metacritic
    https://www.metacritic.com/music/sabotage-super-deluxe-edition-box-set/black-sabbath
  19. Sabotage
    https://www.allmusic.com/album/r2003
  20. https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/black-sabbath-sabotage
    https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/black-sabbath-sabotage
  21. Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music
  22. The Great Rock Discography
  23. Sabotage
    https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/sabotage-19750925
  24. Rolling Stone
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110306133206/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/black-sabbath/albumguide
  25. Sabotage
    https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/49050/Black-Sabbath-Sabotage/
  26. MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide
    https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612/page/115
  27. Spin Alternative Record Guide
  28. Sabotage
    https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/Sabotage
  29. "AllMusic Billboard albums"
    https://www.allmusic.com/album/r2003/charts-awards
  30. "BPI certified awards"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180413125431/https://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=21459
  31. Recording Industry Association of America
    https://web.archive.org/web/20151019020842/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=sabotage&artist=black%20sabbath&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25
  32. Rolling Stone
    https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-100-greatest-metal-albums-of-all-time-w486923/pantera-far-beyond-driven-1994-w487081
  33. Stairway to Hell: The 500 Best Heavy Metal Albums in the Universe
  34. "45 Years on, Black Sabbath's Sabotage Still Glimmers with the Allure of Limitless Creative Possibility"
    https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/black-sabbath/sabotage-super-deluxe-edition-album-review/
  35. Billward.com
    https://www.billward.com/2021/04/sabotage-super-deluxe-edition/
  36. "Austriancharts.at – Black Sabbath – Sabotage" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Sabotage&cat=a
  37. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3102". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
    https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.3102&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.3102.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.3102
  38. "Offiziellecharts.de – Black Sabbath – Sabotage" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-7809
  39. "Charts.nz – Black Sabbath – Sabotage". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Sabotage&cat=a
  40. "Norwegiancharts.com – Black Sabbath – Savotage". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Savotage&cat=a
  41. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/19750921/7502/
  42. "Black Sabbath Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://www.billboard.com/artist/Black-Sabbath/chart-history/TLP
  43. "Black Sabbath ARIA chart history 1988 to July 2025"
    https://imgur.com/a/xm45btR
  44. "Ultratop.be – Black Sabbath – Sabotage" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Sabotage&cat=a
  45. "Offiziellecharts.de – Black Sabbath – Sabotage" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-7809
  46. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20210618/40/
  47. "Swisscharts.com – Black Sabbath – Sabotage". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Sabotage&cat=a
  48. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20210618/131/
  49. "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/rock-and-metal-albums-chart/20210618/112/
  50. "Lista prodaje 8. tjedan 2025. (17.02.2025. - 23.02.2025.)"
    https://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-8-tjedan-2025/
  51. "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2025. 37. hét"
    https://slagerlistak.hu/album-top-40-slagerlista-fizikai-hanghordozok/2025/37
  52. "British album certifications – Black Sabbath – Sabotage"
    https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/5658-1046-2
  53. "American album certifications – Black Sabbath – Sabotage"
    https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Black+Sabbath&ti=Sabotage&format=Album&type=#search_section
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