BLACK SABBATH — Paranoid (review)

Album · 1970 · Heavy Metal

2/5 · 2015-10-07
martindavey87

I’m not the biggest fan of Black Sabbath. Admittedly, I got into metal around the end of the 90’s, and by that time Sabbath seemed a bit dated to me. I was all about the rising nu metal scene, as well as the thrash metal bands which were still hanging in there (just about). Of course, I gave Sabbath a chance, and in fairness, I don’t dislike them, but ‘Paranoid’, supposedly THE greatest metal album of all time, just doesn’t quite work for me.

None of the guitar riffs, which are meant to be some of the greatest guitar riffs ever, or so I’ve heard, don’t really do anything for me. Maybe it’s the production of the time, but they just seem kind of dull and flat, lacking the audible punch that later bands would have. Ditto for the vocals.

Maybe it’s just a product of its era, but then, I listen to a lot of other music from different eras, so surely that can’t be it. Maybe it’s just been so overhyped over the decades that there was no way it could live up to my personal expectations. Maybe there’s something wrong with me. I don’t know. It’s got the likes of ‘Paranoid’, ‘Iron Man’ and ‘War Pigs’, which, again, are meant to be some of the most iconic metal songs ever, but I can’t really think anything more of them than “they’re okay”.

Heavy metal was still a fledgling and evolving genre at this point. How could it be possible to really create such a classic’s classic in such early days? An important and inspirational album? Yes. A pivotal moment in metal history? Sure. But being better than anything that’s come since? Really? Maybe bands joke about it, but perhaps the adage that “Black Sabbath created metal, [insert band name here] perfected it” isn’t too far off.

I don’t totally dislike Black Sabbath though, and I think over time they do go on to produce far better works than this. But I just can’t get into this. No matter how much I love my rock and metal, ‘Paranoid’, arguably one of the most highly revered and beloved metal albums of all time, just doesn’t quite do it for me.

more than 2 years ago
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Vim Fuego wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Paranoid, the song, was a rush job to fill up the album. The album might seem a bit rushed too, but the spontaneity shows through. I can see why this might sound a bit dull and boring now, because record producers were quite puzzled what to do with metal in the 70s. This review also seems like a rush job, but also spontaneous, like you've hit on a main idea and want to get it all down quickly. There is some merit to that, if you do it right, but I don't think you've quite captured it here. (And, unlike you, I used to be a professional writer. I'm not being unkind here, merely commenting on your method and style.)

siLLy puPPy wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Hey i just want to be clear about why i responded. It had nothing to do with your opinion of Paranoid. I totally disagree with your Meshuggah review as well but totally understand why not everyone likes them. I get that with these early Sabbath albums as well. I responded in the way i did because of your opening remark "Time To Make Some Enemies" and your other comment "Bring It on." That to me seemed liked your review was deliberately designed to provoke and not do what a review is supposed be, critique since your content is not very detailed. Sorry if i am mistaken but can you see how someone would take this as inflammatory? Just curious, what is your degree in music? I can definately understand why an advanced musician wouldn't be turned on by proto-metal :)

voila_la_scorie wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I've read far worse reviews. I think everyone has their own approach. If a stranger to MMA reads this, he/she will hopefully have the insight to see it as it is. Martin doesn't like the album. It does nothing for him. I often find there's at least one person who rates or reviews a highly rated album with one star. But Martin's opinion is just one of many. "Paranoid"'s status as a classic is in no danger.

martindavey87 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

That's a fair enough criticism. I'm not a professional writer by any stretch though, and I'm not gonna over analyze an album if I don't like it. I've given reasons why I don't like it, it just comes down to personal taste at the end of the day. I have a degree in professional musicianship, not English language. :-p

siLLy puPPy wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I'm just expressing how i interpret the review. Not meant to be an insult. Sorry it came out that way, but i simply don't think this is a very good review, opinions aside. Is that a crime for expressing that?

aglasshouse wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I don't think it's right to insult Martin's musical experiences because of a review you don't like. I like (don't love, but like) Paranoid, but to call someone else's opinion not well founded due to a differing opinion is more childish than what he's being accused of.

siLLy puPPy wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Bosh66, are you paranoid? :P

Sorry, don't mean to make this a freekin big thing. Of course your review is fine and all. I just wanted to point out that it would be more interesting if you could elaborate on some of the things that make it a bad album.
Please don't think i'm trying to get into a major row over this

That's all! (wagging my tail)

Bosh66 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Which means, before I have to delete this thread, please wrap it up.

Bosh66 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Okay, this is all becoming a little excitable. Martin is quite entitled to find the album boring and uninspired as others are to object to his views. The problem with this exchange is it's becoming personal and an argument over review style rather than the music. That's fine but take it onto the forum board or CZ please.

siLLy puPPy wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I don't get annoyed over such trivial things. Just some friendly advice. Take it as it was meant or don't

martindavey87 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

"Bring it on", was clearly meant in jest. It's just my personal review of an album. I think you need to find more important things to get annoyed about.

siLLy puPPy wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Comments like "bring it on" suggest otherwise. Personally i couldn't care less who likes what album but you're review only suggests that you don't have a very far reaching scope of music. You simply make silly statements that you don't like it without any concept of the music at all. If you can write a critique of why exactly this is not a good album then you are writing a legit review, otherwise it's just a little rant showing how you don't have what it takes to comprehend an album that was before your time

martindavey87 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Nope, not trying that at all. I just think this album is rubbish. Apologies to bartosso if my review is not up to his standards, or if I'm not being "respectful" (I'm sure Tony Iommi will be devastated when he sees my review) but I don't like this album. Simple as that. I'm not gonna try to be nice about it because it's a classic. It's no different than all the people that slate Metallica's Black Album. It's a taste thing.

siLLy puPPy wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Five stars for me too. Your comments suggest you're more interested in triggering a negative response than providing a tangible critique. Your review for sure but not one I can imagine too many taking seriously

Unitron wrote:

more than 2 years ago

We all have different tastes, but like many others I find this to be a masterpiece as well. However, I do agree that the album cover is pretty laughable.

bartosso wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I'm not a big Black Sabbath fan and I don't even like this album all that much. And yet I can't stop thinking that the sole purpose of someone rating a 45 year old, highly influential album with one star and not even bothering to write a competent review (sorry, but calling everything "lame", "dull" and "awful" is not competent in my book) is just a poor attempt to start a flame war. Harsh, but hey, this is my comment, what can ya do about it?

My humble advice: If you're going to bash a classic, do it right and with respect. There's a reason for it to be a classic. I don't like it very much either, but I can't imagine how a metal fan may think it's an absolutely horrible album. It's almost like saying "I love metal but those distorted guitars make me cringe" ;)

voila_la_scorie wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Faeries Wear Boots is one of my favourite Sabbath songs. I just love that jazz swing in a metal riff. Faeries? Fairies? Iron Man was my first contact with metal after AC/DC. And Hand of Doom is a song I haven't heard in a long time that I'd love to hear again.

martindavey87 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Haha! Bring it on!

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

He he yes Sir...:-)

Bosh66 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Five star for me too. Although I do have a questionable taste in music, I suspect it may be you who's out of kilter here Mister Davey.
Sabbath opened with War Pigs on their recent tour and it sent shivers down my spine to hear it live again. And while I admire your honesty and integrity in admitting your dislike for such a well-loved classic, you should probably be flayed alive and rubbed with salt for such a sentiment ;-)

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Well we all have different tastes an views on music. Personally I absolutely adore Paranoid. It´s a five star album in my book.