PrimeWire

The forefathers of heavy metal. Greatly misunderstood and much maligned, but I can’t help but feel like they brought some of it on themselves with the supernatural imagery and soundbites that could easily be taken out of context and misconstrued.

My favorite band during my teenage years, they still hold a spot in my top 3. Their messages of social chaos and injustice, glorifying drug use while acknowledging the damage it can do, and a strong condemnation of war resonated deeply with the dysfunctional, rebellious, working class teen that I was. While Ozzy was the face of the band, it was Geezer’s lyrics and Iommi’s riffing that were the soul of early Sabbath. I never understood how they got little to no respect back in the day, but it is heartening to see the mad love they get now.