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Vol. 4 (Black Sabbath album)

Updated: 12/20/2025, 1:44:33 PM Wikipedia source

Vol. 4 is the fourth studio album by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released in September 1972, by Vertigo Records. It was the first album by Black Sabbath not produced by Rodger Bain; guitarist Tony Iommi assumed production duties. Patrick Meehan, the band's then-manager, was listed as co-producer, though his actual involvement in the album's production was minimal.

Infobox

Released
September 1972 (1972-09)
Recorded
May–June 1972
Studio
Record Plant (Los Angeles)
Genre
Heavy metal
Length
42:18
Label
Vertigo (Europe) Warner Bros. (US)
Producer
Black Sabbath Patrick Meehan

Tables

Professional ratings · Release and reception
Source
Source
Aggregate scores
Source
Aggregate scores
Rating
Metacritic
Metacritic
Aggregate scores
Metacritic
Aggregate scores
96/100(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
8/10
Pitchfork
Pitchfork
Aggregate scores
Pitchfork
Aggregate scores
9.0/10
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Aggregate scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Aggregate scores
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Aggregate scores
Rolling Stone
Aggregate scores
favourable
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Aggregate scores
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Aggregate scores
8/10
Sputnikmusic
Sputnikmusic
Aggregate scores
Sputnikmusic
Aggregate scores
1.5/5
Aggregate scores
Source
Rating
Metacritic
96/100(super deluxe)
Review scores
Source
Rating
AllMusic
Classic Rock
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
The Great Rock Discography
8/10
Pitchfork
9.0/10
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Rolling Stone
favourable
Spin Alternative Record Guide
8/10
Sputnikmusic
1.5/5
· Charts
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Chart (1972)
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Peakposition
1
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Chart (1972)
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Peakposition
5
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Chart (1972)
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Peakposition
2
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (1972)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peakposition
8
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)
Chart (1972)
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)
Peakposition
18
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Chart (1972)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Peakposition
46
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Chart (1972)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Peakposition
7
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (1972)
UK Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
5
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (1972)
US Billboard 200
Peakposition
13
Chart (1972)
Peakposition
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
1
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
5
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
2
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
8
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)
18
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
46
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
7
UK Albums (OCC)
5
US Billboard 200
13
· Charts
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Chart (2021)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Peakposition
58
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Chart (2021)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Peakposition
142
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Chart (2021)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
32
Swedish Hard Rock Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Swedish Hard Rock Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Chart (2021)
Swedish Hard Rock Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Peakposition
1
Swedish Physical Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Swedish Physical Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Chart (2021)
Swedish Physical Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Peakposition
3
Swedish Vinyl Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Swedish Vinyl Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Chart (2021)
Swedish Vinyl Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Peakposition
2
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Chart (2021)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Peakposition
17
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
Chart (2021)
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
12
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
Chart (2021)
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
4
Chart (2021)
Peakposition
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
58
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
142
Scottish Albums (OCC)
32
Swedish Hard Rock Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
1
Swedish Physical Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
3
Swedish Vinyl Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
2
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
17
UK Independent Albums (OCC)
12
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)
4
· Charts
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Chart (2025)
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Peakposition
94
Chart (2025)
Peakposition
Greek Albums (IFPI)
94
· 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
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)
Platinum
100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)
Gold
100,000‡
United States (RIAA)
Platinum
1,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. "Great Rock discography"
    https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/68/mode/2up
  2. Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath
    https://archive.org/details/ironmanmyjourney00iomm_0
  3. Rolling Stone
    https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-100-greatest-metal-albums-of-all-time-113614/black-sabbath-vol-4-1972-116265/
  4. "Black sabbath singles"
    https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Tomorrow%27s+Dream&cat=s
  5. Sounds #36
  6. Rosen 1996, p. 73
  7. Rosen 1996, pp. 73–74
  8. The Tapes Archive
    https://www.thetapesarchive.com/black-sabbath-sabotage-documentary/
  9. unsourced clipping, probably from Melody Maker, reproduced in Sabbath fanzine Southern Cross #12, January 1994, p6
  10. Circus Raves No. 119, October 1975
  11. Julian Cope presents Head Heritage
    https://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/thebookofseth/black-sabbath-vol-4
  12. Rolling Stone
    https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/black-sabbath-cover-art-keef-keith-macmillan-interview-951578/
  13. Metacritic
    https://www.metacritic.com/music/vol-4-super-deluxe-edition-box-set/black-sabbath
  14. Black Sabbath, Vol. 4
    https://www.allmusic.com/album/r2001/review
  15. "Black Sabbath - Vol. 4 Album Of The Week Club review"
    https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/black-sabbath-vol-4-album-of-the-week-club-review
  16. Encyclopedia of Popular Music
  17. The Great Rock Discography
  18. Pitchfork
    https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/black-sabbath-vol-4-super-deluxe/
  19. Rolling Stone
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110306133206/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/black-sabbath/albumguide
  20. Clark, Tom (7 December 1972). "Review Black Sabbath Vol. 4" Archived 5 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Rolling Stone.
    https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/black-sabbath-vol-4-19721207
  21. Spin Alternative Record Guide
  22. "Black Sabbath Vol. 4"
    https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/15132/Black-Sabbath-Vol.-4/
  23. Allmusic
    https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p3693/biography
  24. "AllMusic Billboard albums"
    https://www.allmusic.com/album/r2001/charts-awards
  25. Black Sabbath Vol. 4
    https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/Black%20Sabbath%20Vol.4
  26. Billboard.com
    https://www.billboard.com/artist/black-sabbath/chart-history/
  27. Q Magazine, issue No. 165, June 2000, p. 69
  28. "Rock List Music"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071126065024/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/qlists.html#100%20Greatest%20British%20Albums
  29. Black Sabbath Vol. 4 2009 reissue booklet, page 11
  30. Blabbermouth.net
    http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/bill-ward-talks-about-legendary-black-sabbath-led-zeppelin-jam-session/
  31. Kerrang!
  32. Rolling Stone
    https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-100-greatest-metal-albums-of-all-time-113614/black-sabbath-vol-4-1972-116265/
  33. 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition
  34. Stairway to Hell: The 500 Best Heavy Metal Albums in the Universe
  35. Eddy, Chuck (1997). The Accidental Evolution of Rock 'n' Roll. Da Capo Press. pp. 289. ISBN 0-306-80741-6
  36. Volume 4 Super Deluxe (2021)
  37. Joel McIver Black Sabbath: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 2007 "St Vitus Dance. it serves as a perfect intro to 'Under The Sun',
  38. Australian Chart Book 1970–1992
  39. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 4586". 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=nlc008388.4586&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.4586.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.4586
  40. Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972
  41. "Offiziellecharts.de – Black Sabbath – Vol 4" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-12148
  42. Musica e Dischi
    http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php
  43. Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005
  44. "Norwegiancharts.com – Black Sabbath – Vol 4". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Vol+4&cat=a
  45. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/19721001/7502/
  46. "Black Sabbath Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://www.billboard.com/artist/Black-Sabbath/chart-history/TLP
  47. "Austriancharts.at – Black Sabbath – Vol 4" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Vol+4&cat=a
  48. "Ultratop.be – Black Sabbath – Vol 4" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Vol+4&cat=a
  49. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20210219/40/
  50. "Veckolista Hårdrock, vecka 7"
    https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/93?dspy=2021&dspp=7
  51. "Veckolista Album Fysiskt, vecka 7"
    https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/234?dspy=2021&dspp=7
  52. "Veckolista Vinyl, vecka 7"
    https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/216?dspy=2021&dspp=7
  53. "Swisscharts.com – Black Sabbath – Vol 4". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Black+Sabbath&titel=Vol+4&cat=a
  54. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
    https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20210219/131/
  55. "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
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  56. "Official IFPI Charts Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Combined) – Εβδομάδα: 10/2025"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250312082132/https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html
  57. "Canadian album certifications – Black Sabbath – Volume 4"
    https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=Volume+4%20Black+Sabbath
  58. "British album certifications – Black Sabbath – Vol 4"
    https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/10207-1046-2
  59. "American album certifications – Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath - Vol. 4"
    https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Black+Sabbath&ti=Black+Sabbath+-+Vol.+4&format=Album&type=#search_section
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