The BEST Black Sabbath album ever! ( )

Product Details

* Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
* Original Release Date: 2000
* Number of Discs: 1
* Label: Warner Bros / Wea
* Catalog Number: 2602
* ASIN: B000002KE2
* In-Print Editions: Audio Cassette
* Average Customer Review: based on 127 reviews. (Write a review.)
* Amazon.com Sales Rank: #26,642 in Music (See Top Sellers in Music)
Yesterday: #13,007 in Music

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1. Wheels Of Confusion/The Straightener Listen Listen
2. Tomorrow`s Dream Listen Listen
3. Changes Listen Listen
4. FX Listen Listen
5. Supernaut Listen Listen
6. Snowblind Listen
7. Cornucopia Listen
8. Laguna Sunrise Listen
9. St. Vitus' Dance Listen
10. Under The Sun/Everyday Comes & Goes Listen
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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
Classic Metal!, December 3, 2002
Reviewer: Samhot (Star Land) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)
_Black Sabbath Vol. 4_ was the first album where classic sludge-rockers Black Sabbath (Ozzy Osbourne-vocals, Bill Ward-drums, Geezer Butler-bass and Toni Iommi-guitar) started experimenting - which possibly foreshadowed what would be more emphasized on the following album, _Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath_. I just want to make a clarification before I move on: Black Sabbath's music is not about satanism or devil worshipping - it's subject matter is mainly about the harsh realities of life (i.e., crime, war, drugs, mental illness and more), which is rather "dark". Moving onto the tracks:

The album opens with "Wheels Of Confusion/The Straightener", which is a sludgy/heavy powerhouse. This is arguably the heaviest on the album. The lyrics are reflective and sad. "Tomorrow's Dream" is a r&b-rocker with groove. "Changes" is a beautiful piano-based ballad. The combination of Ozzy Osbourne's emotive vocals and the sad orchestral backdrops make this a somewhat painful track to listen to at times. "FX" is a short experiment featuring eerie guitar feedback from Toni Iommi. "Supernaut" (to me) proves that music is a transcendent force without limits or boundaries. The mix of boogie, classic psychedelic r&b and metal, shows that unlikely combinations can work - which almost makes it seem like it was never "unlikely" to begin with. "Snowblind" is a slow heavy rocker. Tony Iommi does some of his best soloing on this track. The end features some orchestral backdrops (possibly from synthesizers). "Cornucopia" is probably the most ominous sounding on here (check out the opening section). The dark lyrics contribute to this aspect as well. "Laguna Sunrise" is the beautiful and evocative acoustic guitar instrumental. If anyone were to listen to this calm, sedate and airy track (without knowledge of it being Sabbath), you wouldn't guess that this was the same band known for their dark and sludgy output - that's talent. "St. Vitus' Dance" is an upbeat, summery and "happy" sounding rock track - at least on a musical (excluding lyrics) level. "Under The Sun/Everyday Comes And Goes" sounds the most "Sabbath-esque" on here. The beginning is heavy and ominous. It then segues into a straightforward heavy rocker. The lyrics are deep, thought-provoking and rebellious. They address such issues as religion, personal beliefs and violence.

In short, _Black Sabbath Vol. 4_ is a classic metal album, which deserves to be owned by diehards, as well as those interested in Black Sabbath, or the roots of heavy metal. This would serve as a good introduction, as it features a well-crafted balance between heaviness and mild experimentation.

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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
"illusion helps to keep them sane", March 30, 2004
Reviewer: mwreview "mwreview" (Northern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)
Vol. 4 was the first Black Sabbath album I heard. I picked it up in a thrift store (in 8-track form) back in the early 80s. I've upgraded since then and Vol. 4 is still one of my favorite Sabbath albums. I'd only put Sabbath Bloody Sabbath above it as it is more solid. Some of the tracks here are amazing! "Wheels of Confusion," of course, is classic. "Cornucopia" is perhaps the darkest track here followed by "Under the Sun" (until it starts rocking during the bridge) and both are excellent. I like the lyrics to "Under the Sun" (I don't want no preacher telling me about the God in the sky and I don't want no one telling me where I'm going to go when I die") as well as the guitar solo at the end. This album offers variety with the slow "Changes" and the pleasant instrumental "Laguna Sunrise." "FX," which some regard as pointless, always intrigued me. As a kid, I'd swing the drawer knockers on my dresser to try and replicate the knocking noises on the track. It is not great even from an experimental standpoint, but, at least it is a quiet interlude and is not annoying (not to me anyway). "St. Vitus Dance" has an almost country sounding guitar that begins to rock at the verses. My favorite, though, is "Snowblind." Most of the reviewers here agree and why not--it is amazing! It is my all-time favorite Sabbath track. It is about cocaine abuse ("Feeling happy in my vein Icicles within my brain"). Anyone just getting into Ozzy and Sabbath who does not have that song needs to get this album right away! Neither "Snowblind" nor Vol. 4 will disappoint.

Part of Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath 1970 - 1978