Paranoid was the seminal sophomore studio album by Black Sabbath. First released in September 1970, it was the band's first LP to top the UK Albums Chart, and is often regarded as one of the most quintessential and influential albums in heavy metal history.
Paranoid contains several of the band's signature songs, including Iron Man, War Pigs and the title track, which was the band's only Top 20 hit, reaching number 4 in the UK charts.
Black Sabbath returned to the studio with producer Roger Bain in June 1970, just four months after their debut album was released. Paranoid crystallized the band's writing process, with Iommi initiating the ideas with his charred riffs, Ozzy (Osbourne) working on a melody, Geezer providing drive and the majority of the lyrics, and Bill Ward locking into a set of often pounding rhythms beneath Butler's bass rumble. Most of the songs on Paranoid evolved during onstage improvisational jams.
Paranoid's chart success allowed the band to tour the US for the first time in October 1970, which spawned the release of the album's second single Iron Man.
Track List:
LP - SIDE A
- War Pigs
- Paranoid
- Planet Caravan
- Iron Man
LP - SIDE B
- Electric Funeral
- Hand Of Doom
- Rat Salad
- Fairies Wear Boots