Sabotage 1975 Album

Black Sabbath

Out of all of the discs from the classic Sabbath run this is the one I consistently come back to. Up to this point, it was certainly the most adventurous record they had made, which paired their heavy-handed approach with winding epics and ever-more complex suites which directly addressed the ills surrounding the group. The diabolical "Megalomania" would seem to be the obvious candidate, but "The Writ" is the group at their most visceral - essentially Ozzy's personal attack on the group's former manager who ripped them off. In between, there's more than enough off-tangent craziness to go 'round ("Supertzar", "Am I Going Insane (Radio)"). But don't get it twisted - it's been a few records since they levelled this much power on a studio effort as straight-ahead exercises like "Hole in the Sky" distinctly remind the listener. I unabashedly love this album, but can see why some people won't get its' offbeat charm.