Black Sabbath – Vol 4 (1972)

September 7, 2020

Vol. 4 is often regarded as one of the very best albums that Sabbath put out, but I’ve always found it kinda hit and miss. It seems to me like the album is arse-backwards; side A for the most part being rather weak, with the hideous “Changes” and the irrelevant “FX”. Side B completely outguns it however, with a veritable bevy of sonic titans in its arsenal.

As a whole though I love how dirty and thick the guitar sound is on this record. Iommi, love him or hate him, has had some very distinct guitar tones, at least in the early days, and this album is no exception. The thick muddy riffs of “Wheels Of Confusion” or “Supernaut” no doubt influencing generations of doom metal and stoner bands that came afterward.