Black Sabbath: Black Sabbath

It’s almost Halloween so the next few days will present songs for the occasion. Black Sabbath are the original heavy metal band and the album opener from their 1970 debut kicked off their career with a scare. The cover features a woman in a black cloak standing in front of the 15th century Mapledurham Watermill in Oxfordshire. The song starts with 37 seconds of bells chiming in a thunderstorm before the guitar and drums come in for the first-ever doom metal riff. The lyrics are quintessential dark musical poetry.

What is this that stands before me? 
Figure in black which points at me 
Turn around quick, and start to run 
Find out I’m the chosen one 
Oh no 
 
Big black shape with eyes of fire 
Telling people their desire 
Satan’s sitting there, he’s smiling 
Watches those flames get higher and higher 
Oh no, no, please God help me 
 
Is it the end, my friend? 
Satan’s coming ’round the bend 
People running ’cause they’re scared 
The people better go and beware 
No, no, please God help me 

I was barely alive when this album was released, but I can still remember the first time I sat as a teen and listened to this song while staring at the cover. The music, vocals, cover art, and lyrics still make “Black Sabbath” the scariest rock album experience. This is also the perfect horror trifecta – “Black Sabbath” by Black Sabbath on the album Black Sabbath.

To learn more about Black Sabbath check out their Wikipedia page.

To listen to all of the songs of the day, check out the Radio Faux Show Song of the Day playlist.

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