Under Wheels of Confusion cover

Released 30 years ago

Under Wheels of Confusion

Black Sabbath · 1996

268 min · 52 tracks · hard rock · heavy metal · doom metal

A sprawling retrospective of heavy metal's pioneers, blending dark themes with haunting melodies and powerful riffs.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic journey with peaks
  • haunting melodies for deep listening
  • wave-like pacing for attention
  • cathartic moments of reflection
  • live energy captured beautifully

Maybe skip if you want

  • seeking short, standalone tracks
  • prefer instant gratification sounds

Where this album fits

Themes
political disillusionment· industrial isolation· heavy metal legacy
Career context
Released in 1996, 'Under Wheels of Confusion' serves as a comprehensive anthology marking Black Sabbath's ongoing influence in heavy metal. This compilation came during a period of resurgence for the band, following their reformation and the release of 'Forbidden' in 1995. It reflects on their extensive catalog while highlighting both classic tracks and deeper cuts.
Stylistic neighbors
Candlemass· Electric Wizard· Pentagram
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Painkiller by Judas Priest — Shares heavy riffs and themes of struggle, with anthemic vocal delivery and dark lyrical content.
Master of Puppets by Metallica — Combines complex arrangements with intense emotional themes, reflecting on control and addiction.
Epicus Doomicus Metallicus by Candlemass — Captures the same doom-laden atmosphere and epic storytelling found within Sabbath's darker tracks.

Tracklist

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

Disc 1

  • 1 Black Sabbath 6:21
  • 2 The Wizard 4:24
  • 3 N.I.B. 6:05
  • 4 Evil Woman 3:24
  • 5 Wicked World 4:45
  • 6 War Pigs 7:56
  • 7 Paranoid 2:50
  • 8 Iron Man 5:56
  • 9 Planet Caravan 4:31
  • 10 Hand of Doom 7:09
  • 11 Sweet Leaf 5:05
  • 12 After Forever 5:27
  • 13 Children of the Grave 5:17

Disc 2

  • 1 Into the Void 6:15
  • 2 Lord of This World 5:27
  • 3 Orchid 1:34
  • 4 Supernaut 4:45
  • 5 Tomorrows Dream 3:10
  • 6 Wheels of Confusion 8:14
  • 7 Changes 4:45
  • 8 Snowblind 5:29
  • 9 Laguna Sunrise 2:52
  • 10 Cornucopia (live) 4:03
  • 11 Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 5:46
  • 12 Killing Yourself to Live 5:41
  • 13 Hole in the Sky 4:02
  • 14 Am I Going Insane (Radio) 4:17

Disc 3

  • 1 The Writ 8:33
  • 2 Symptom of the Universe 6:32
  • 3 Dirty Women 7:11
  • 4 Back Street Kids 3:51
  • 5 Rock 'n' Roll Doctor 3:27
  • 6 She's Gone 4:53
  • 7 A Hard Road 6:05
  • 8 Never Say Die 3:50
  • 9 Neon Knights 3:52
  • 10 Heaven and Hell 6:59
  • 11 Die Young 4:44
  • 12 Lonely Is the Word 5:51

Disc 4

  • 1 Turn Up the Night 3:43
  • 2 Sign of the Southern Cross 7:52
  • 3 Falling Off the Edge of the World 5:06
  • 4 The Mob Rules (live) 3:21
  • 5 Voodoo (live) 5:28
  • 6 Digital Bitch 3:39
  • 7 Trashed 4:15
  • 8 Hotline 4:53
  • 9 In for the Kill 3:42
  • 10 Seventh Sign 5:19
  • 11 Heart Like a Wheel 6:34
  • 12 The Shining 5:58
  • 13 Eternal Idol 6:34

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata