Which band has influenced the development of #metal music the most?
Black Sabbath. Discussion over.
But hey, not so fast!
Lemmy was once asked in an interview what he thinks the first metal album was:
"Deep Purple in Rock"
Wait what? #DeepPurple never even did metal! How is #BlackSabbath not the first ever metal album?
Let's find out!
I will listen to all 41 Deep Purple and Black Sabbath studio albums in chronological order in this massive #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney 🤘 🧵
1/n
2/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
It is in the spring of 1968 in London when the young lads Rod Evans, Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord and Ian Paice, also known as Deep Purple Mk. I get together to record "Shades of Deep Purple".
The first notes already set the tone, this is going to be a psychodelic prog hard rock album, like if you blend early Pink Floyd and Blue Cheer.
🎵 And the Address by #DeepPurple
💿 Shades of Deep Purple (1968)
▶️ https://song.link/y/cpNDOq830hU
3/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
Like many albums of that time, Shades of #DeepPurple features covers. Actually half of the album are covers: Hush, Help!, Hey Joe and I'm So Glad.
The latter starts with a fine psychodelic prelude which is my favourite part of the album.
Overall this is a solid debut record and if you like 60s psych/prog rock, you will like this one too.
2.5 out of 5.
🎵 Prelude: Happiness / I'm so Glad
💿 Shades of Deep Purple (1968)
▶️ https://song.link/y/0Ficnj4EuvM
4/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
Only 3 months after their debut, #DeepPurple release their sophomore album "The Book of Taliesyn".
Rob Evan reminds me a lot of Elvis, I forgot to mention this before.
Track 2 is an epic, guitar and organ heavy psych hard rock instrumental:
🎵 Wring That Neck / Hard Road
💿 The Book of Taliesyn (1968)
▶️ https://song.link/y/6N3pr3_tlSE
Meanwhile in the #BlackSabbath timeline, #Ozzy places an advertisement in a local music shop: "OZZY ZIG Needs Gig – has own PA".
5/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
Who has the audacity to cover both #Beethoven and #TheBeatles and merge it into one song?
Deep Purple have and I am glad they did!
🎵 Exposition / We Can Work It Out by #DeepPurple
💿 The Book of Taliesyn (/1968)
▶️ https://song.link/y/nBBqwXFAMwU
Also, and I can't stress this enough: Jon Lord!
6/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
The second album in Mk. I formation closes with a cover of an Ike and #TinaTurner song intruduced by "Also sprach Zarathustra":
🎵 River Deep, Mountain High by #DeepPurple
💿 The Book of Taliesyn (1968)
▶️ https://song.link/y/LXAdpyKD-lI
Overall the album is a step up from their debut and gets a solid 3 out of 5.
Ranking:
1. The Book of Taliesyn 3
2. Shades of Deep Purple 2.5
7/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
In June of '69 #DeepPurple release their third album within 10 months.
Their self titled album opens with signature Ian Paice drums:
🎵 Chasing Shadows
💿 Deep Purple (1969)
▶️ https://song.link/y/C272VPp8m4Y
Neil Armstrong hast not set foot on the moon yet.
Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne form #BlackSabbath
8/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
Deep Purple (the album) only has one cover song on it (Lalena by Donovan) which is also the weakest track on the record if you ask me.
Why Didn't Rosemary on the other hand is the first one where I thought that its typical #DeepPurple song. It has all their trademark elements and could easily be featured on later albums.
🎵 Why Didn't Rosemary?
💿 Deep Purple (1969)
▶️ https://song.link/y/E0al-MezlTg
9/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
With Deep Purple #DeepPurple drive furhter down the hard rock road.
I'd say it is a is a really good album: 3.5/5
The album closer however, the epic three-part classic rock suite "April", deserves a much higher rating. I honestly haven't heard it before and I am in love!
🎵 April
▶️ https://song.link/y/RaMmBH3pYxY
Mk. I is over. Are you ready for some significant changes?
Ranking:
1. Deep Purple 3.5
2. The Book of Taliesyn 3
3. Shades of Deep Purple 2.5
10/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
Pouring rain, thunder, an inverted tritone.
Enter Black Sabbath.
The genre founding and defining riff opens what many consider the first ever #HeavyMetal album - myself included.
"What is this, that stands before me?"
It is the root from which metal will develop in all its beautiful genres.
🎵 Black Sabbath
💿 #BlackSabbath (1970)
▶️ https://song.link/y/b_EcPEuHvag
11/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
The infamous tritone, also known as the Devil's interval is an element widely used in classical music.
This is where I see parallels with #DeepPurple, who used classic songs and themes throughout their first three albums.
Did this influence #BlackSabbath? You tell me, I have no idea, but at least it sounds feasible.
Meanwhile on track 2, Black Sabbath switch from doom to blues rock:
🎵 The Wizard
💿 Black Sabbath (1970)
▶️ https://song.link/y/ftKNGzh7t94
12/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
I listended to this album plenty, but this is the first time that I really appreciate Geezer's bass playing. It stands out, especially on Evil Woman, which is one of two covers on the album (the other one is Warning).
Sleeping Village is all over the place - in a good way. Doomy riffs, fast paced, almost jazzy parts but blues rock at heart.
🎵 Sleeping Village by #BlackSabbath
💿 Black Sabbath (1970)
▶️ https://song.link/y/Za4YaV1x_dw
13/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
Here's a question:
Does Wicked World close #BlackSabbath's debut album?
Here's another question:
Is Black Sabbath a GOAT tier album?
I'd say no.
It is a landmark album and a masterpiece though, which translates to 4.5 out of 5 on my scale.
Ranking:
1. Black Sabbath 4.5
Bonus question: shall I do a combined Sabbath and Purple ranking? Shall I post my ranking only in the end?
https://album.link/y/OLAK5uy_l7sDmWvP2VNWTdhZ453bIhVOBGeNh8lJU
14/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
In May of '69 #DeepPurple dismissed Rod Evans and Nick Simpler because they wanted to head in a heavier direction.
The were replaced by Ian Gillan and Roger Glover, Mark II - the most iconic Deep Purple lineup -was born.
And boy, they really added a lot of heaviness to their music.
But was it heavy enough to challenge Black Sabbath?
🚨 Spoler alert: Yes it was.
🎵 Speed King
💿 Deep Purple in Rock (1970)
▶️ https://song.link/y/W_jfHvcAXRY
15/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
Deep Purple in Rock features a song called "Child in Time", but of course you know that.
Honestly, it doesn't really get much better than this.
Oh what an absolute king of a song this is. 🎸👑
🎵 Child in Time by #DeepPurple
💿 Deep Purple in Rock (1970)
▶️ https://song.link/y/UEjAaLu8Dhs
16/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
"Deep Purple in Rock" is fantastic.
Be it Speed King, Flight of the Rat, Hard Lovin' Man or Child in Time, this album is packed with greatness.
It is as good as it gets and therefore it deserves the perfect score:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Now, is this the first ever metal album? Honestly, I don't care, just enjoy it. 🤘
🎵 Hard Lovin' Man
💿 Deep Purple in Rock (1970)
▶️ https://song.link/y/1BoLgLGRyIc
Ranking:
1. In Rock 5
2. DP 3.5
3. Book of Taliesyn 3
4. Shades of DP 2.5
17/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
While #DeepPurple started their somewhat slow into the heavier realms, #BlackSabbath started with a bang! 💥
And it took them only 7 months to make another bang.
Paranoid!
War Pigs is probably my favourite Ozzy era Sabbath song. It also is the opener of the album:
🎵 War Pigs / Luke's Wall
💿 Paranoid (1970)
▶️ https://song.link/y/zVY--knsDc4
18/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
It shall be mentioned that #Paranoid also features Paranoid, which is #BlackSabbath's most famous song, of course. And despite it being played to death this song is so good it can't be played to death.
🎵 Paranoid
💿 Paranoid (1970)
▶️ https://song.link/at/i/1533659669
What I wonder though: why is Ritchie Blackmore running through woods like a maniac armored shield and a neon samurai sword while wearing a helmet, yellow pyjamas and blue underpants on the album cover? 🤔
19/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
Listening through Paranoid (again), I realised that this is the first "pure" metal album on my journey.
Yes, #BlackSabbath has lots of metal on it, same as #DeepPurple in Rock, but neither of them are pure metal. Although I have to say In Rock came pretty close, closer than Black Sabbath IMHO.
But overall, this doesn't matter, it's just a detail.
Here's some doom:
🎵 Hand of Doom
💿 Paranoid (1970)
▶️ https://song.link/y/o6HmfTdwYZg
20/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
BlackSabbath's #Paranoid is a GOAT tier album, it is as simple as that.
There is not a single weak track on it, it is perfect and deserves a perfect score:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#DeepPurple and #BlackSabbath really delivered in 1970!
Ranking:
1. Paranoid 5
2. Black Sabbath 4.5
https://album.link/y/OLAK5uy_lhrQQKBwL-MndIQ077Jq-4eKiq5oo-hJw
21/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
Two GOAT tier albums in a row. Can #DeepPurple and #BlackSabbath keep the level up?
In July '71 Deep Purple release their 5th studio album, #Fireball. It is their second album in Mk. II formation.
🎵 Fireball
💿 Fireball (1971)
▶️ https://song.link/y/NwMRYOONsOA
Following the success of Deep Purple in Rock, egos developed which led to tensions within the band.
22/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
The UK version of #Fireball had "Demon's Eye" as track no. 3. The US version had "Strange Kind of Woman".
Why? #DeepPurple recorded Demon's Eye last, however they had an upcoming US tour and didn't manage to put the song on the album in time. So they chose a song they already had and put it on the US version.
I guess this also explains why the US version was released before the UK version.
🎵 Demon's Eye
💿 Fireball (1971)
▶️ https://song.link/y/VoREMTRNAX0
23/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
I love Fools. The song of course. Easily my favourite on this rather experimental album. Just listen to Ritchie Blackmore's guitar work:
🎵 Fools
💿 Fireball (1971)
▶️ https://song.link/y/6grqwx-9X2A
24/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
#Fireball is a bit all over the place. #DeepPurple were rushed to make an album right before their US tour, that's why it lacks a bit of a common theme. Heck, with Anyone's Daughter it even has a country song on it.
Regardless, this is still a great album!
Easy 4/5
Also: this was the first album #KingDiamond bought as a kid.
Ranking:
1. In Rock 5
2. Fireball 4
3. DP 3.5
4. Book of Taliesyn 3
5. Shades of DP 2.5
https://album.link/y/OLAK5uy_nRt2N44IpSbnrPbwlgCwxsWlRTztMQZ4M
25/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
Between the US and the UK release of #DeepPurple's Fireball, #BlackSabbath released "Master of Reality" in August of '71.
And it starts with a cough 😷
🎵 Sweet Leaf
💿 Master of Reality (1971)
▶️ https://song.link/y/aXpKtZbHhQI
26/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
Please know that I am by no means a #BlackSabbath or #DeepPurple expert. There are plenty of albums I never (conciously) listened to and shockingly #MasterOfReality is one of them.
So one of the main reasons why I am doing this journey is to fill the gaps and find gems.
And oh boy did I find one! How good is Children of the Grave?
🎵 Children of the Grave
💿 Master of Reality (1971)
▶️ https://song.link/y/1NN67EzOFO4
27/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
Wait a minute, is this really Ozzy singing?
🎵 Solitude
💿 Master of Reality (1971)
▶️ https://song.link/y/1NN67EzOFO4
28/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
Why does Into the Void sound so familiar? Ah, Kyuss, that's why!
Overall #MasterOfReality puts me in a tricky position. Don't get me wrong, the album is a masterpiece, an easy 4.5/5.
But! Do I like it more than Black Sabbath? 🤔
Yes, but...
If I had to choose one, it would still be BS I guess.
Ranking:
1. Paranoid 5
2. Master of Reality 4.5
2. #BlackSabbath 4.5
🎵 Into the Void
💿 Master of Reality (1971)
▶️ https://song.link/y/-R5XnrZn47Q
29/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
March 30th 1972:
The world famous and universally beloved #Czech footballer Karel Poborský is born in Třeboň, Czechoslovakia.
#DeepPurple release their 6th studio album named after the american metal band Machine Head. Or something like that.
Anyways, #MachineHead opens with a bang:
🎵 Highway Star
💿 Machine Head (1972)
▶️ https://song.link/y/_hJEyDOn6Ho
30/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
Dö dö dööö
dö dö dödööö
dö dö döööö dö döööö
This right there is the single most iconic riff in rock and metal history and nothing comes close.
Yes, there are better riffs, more sophisticated riffs, more brutal riffs. But not more iconic and I am not even gonna start to argue about that.
🎵 Smoke On The Water by #DeepPurple
💿 Machine Head (1972)
▶️ https://song.link/y/1L3XxUxEb6U
31/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
The third album in Mk. II formation is the third great one. A masterpiece even.
4.5 out of 5
It doesn't quite reach Deep Purple in Rock, but what does?
Ranking:
1. In Rock 5
2. Machine Head 4.5
3. Fireball 4
4. DP 3.5
5. Book of Taliesyn 3
6. Shades of DP 2.5
Now please excuse me, I'll be space truckin'
🎵 Space Truckin' by #DeepPurple
💿 Machine Head (1972)
▶️ https://song.link/y/Xt9W_tf32dQ
32/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
#BlackSabbath album number four is called "Vol. 4".
What else but a typical heavy but catchy Tony Iommy riff opens this album, which is considered an underrated one by many.
🎵 Wheels of Confusion
💿 Vol. 4 (1972)
▶️ https://song.link/y/LOF4R8Om8VE
33/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
The first time I ever listened to Snowblind was somewhere in the early 2000s and it was a cover version by System of a Down.
The original by #BlackSabbath is much much better though:
🎵 Snowblind
💿 Vol. 4 (1972)
▶️ https://song.link/y/z2bYZobEQ4g
34/n #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney
#BlackSabbath Vol. 4 gets a 4. Out of 5 that is.
While it is great, it doesn't quite reach Master of Reality level and towards the end it gets a bit long. But this is critizism at a very very high level.
My favourite song was probalby the opener, Wheels of Confusion.
Oh and I decided that I like Master of Reality better than Black Sabbath.
Ranking:
1. Paranoid 5
2. Master of Reality 4.5
3. BlackSabbath 4.5
4. Vol. 4 4
https://album.link/y/OLAK5uy_knwd1nZBUGMuYqPIUvdqLT7uHmdYlZo9E
Thomas
