Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath 1970–1978 cover

Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath 1970–1978

Black Sabbath · 2004

353 min · 69 tracks · hard rock · heavy metal · doom metal

A relentless fusion of heavy riffs and dark lyrical themes that defined the foundations of metal.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic journey with varied intensity
  • headphone detail hunting on riffs
  • cathartic release through heaviness
  • late-night solitude with depth

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer short, standalone tracks
  • seek instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

Themes
war-time disillusionment· industrial isolation· occult imagery
Career context
Released in 2004, 'Black Box' compiles Black Sabbath's complete original recordings from 1970 to 1978, encapsulating their evolution from pioneers of heavy metal to cultural icons. This collection came during a resurgence of interest in classic rock, showcasing their influence on subsequent generations and reaffirming their legacy.
Stylistic neighbors
Candlemass· Electric Wizard· Pentagram
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Sad Wings of Destiny by Judas Priest — Shares heavy riffs and dark themes, blending operatic vocals with a relentless metal sound.
Dopethrone by Electric Wizard — Delivers a similar sense of doom with heavy, sludgy riffs and occult-themed lyrics.
1919 Eternal by Black Label Society — Explores themes of despair and isolation with powerful riffs and a gritty, heavy sound.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Black Sabbath 6:18
  • 2 The Wizard 4:23
  • 3 Wasp / Behind the Wall of Sleep / Bassically / N.I.B. 9:44
  • 4 Wicked World 4:46
  • 5 A Bit of Finger / Sleeping Village / Warning 14:16
  • 6 Evil Woman 3:23

Disc 2

  • 1 War Pigs / Luke’s Wall 7:57
  • 2 Paranoid 2:52
  • 3 Planet Caravan 4:32
  • 4 Iron Man 5:58
  • 5 Electric Funeral 4:52
  • 6 Hand of Doom 7:07
  • 7 Rat Salad 2:31
  • 8 Jack the Stripper / Fairies Wear Boots 6:15

Disc 3

  • 1 Sweet Leaf 5:05
  • 2 After Forever 5:27
  • 3 Embryo 0:28
  • 4 Children of the Grave 5:17
  • 5 Orchid 1:30
  • 6 Lord of This World 5:26
  • 7 Solitude 5:02
  • 8 Into the Void 6:13

Disc 4

  • 1 Wheels of Confusion / The Straightener 8:01
  • 2 Tomorrow’s Dream 3:11
  • 3 Changes 4:44
  • 4 FX 1:43
  • 5 Supernaut 4:49
  • 6 Snowblind 5:33
  • 7 Cornucopia 3:54
  • 8 Laguna Sunrise 2:55
  • 9 St. Vitus’ Dance 2:29
  • 10 Under the Sun / Every Day Comes & Goes 5:52

Disc 5

  • 1 Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 5:45
  • 2 A National Acrobat 6:16
  • 3 Fluff 4:11
  • 4 Sabbra Cadabra 5:59
  • 5 Killing Yourself to Live 5:40
  • 6 Who Are You? 4:11
  • 7 Looking for Today 5:06
  • 8 Spiral Architect 5:29

Disc 6

  • 1 Hole in the Sky 3:59
  • 2 Don’t Start (Too Late) 0:49
  • 3 Symptom of the Universe 6:29
  • 4 Megalomania 9:46
  • 5 The Thrill of It All 5:56
  • 6 Supertzar 3:44
  • 7 Am I Going Insane (Radio) 4:16
  • 8 The Writ 8:45

Disc 7

  • 1 Back Street Kids 3:47
  • 2 You Won’t Change Me 6:42
  • 3 It's Alright 4:04
  • 4 Gypsy 5:14
  • 5 All Moving Parts (Stand Still) 5:07
  • 6 Rock ’n’ Roll Doctor 3:30
  • 7 She’s Gone 4:58
  • 8 Dirty Women 7:13

Disc 8

  • 1 Never Say Die 3:49
  • 2 Johnny Blade 6:28
  • 3 Junior’s Eyes 6:42
  • 4 A Hard Road 6:04
  • 5 Shock Wave 5:15
  • 6 Air Dance 5:17
  • 7 Over to You 5:22
  • 8 Breakout 2:35
  • 9 Swinging the Chain 4:17

Disc 9

  • 1 Iron Man 5:52
  • 2 Paranoid 2:43
  • 3 Black Sabbath 7:06
  • 4 Blue Suede Shoes 2:07

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata