BlacK Sabbath

I made a similar post about Led Zeppelin not too long ago, however I think sabbath is truly a prog. band whether they knew it or not

the satanic/black magic theme runs through a lot of albums/songs

many songs flow together from the first album, which has a very prog. intro with the thunder, rain and churchbell. 

"what is this that stands before me?

Figure in black that points at me" - so scary

they have many instrumental songs on all albums

songs are divided into different parts containing instrumental sections/jams

the more I look at all their albums the more prog they seem

and they wrote a song called 'the wizard' --so prog

Sab's later Ozzy-era albums (Sabotage, Technical Ecstasy, Never Say Die, etc...)  were definitely the beginnings of prog-metal.  I dont know if they can be considered prog on their own merit, but they are most definitely progressive and influential to prog music. 

HOWEVER, I must point out that while there is a definite "satanic" theme that runs throughout Black Sabbath songs, I cringe everytime someone tries to tell me they are a satanic band, or were in any way promoting satanism or evil deeds.  one only needs to look at the lyrics to know that all references to Satan and the occult were warnings against them.  read the lyrics of songs like "After Forever", "into the Void", "Electric Funeral", and even the early "Black Sabbath".   It's cool that they use imagery like that, but do not confuse it with promoting satanism.

I would say they were THE heavy metal band! There was some prog elements to their music, but you could probably argue that for most heavy metal bands that emerged in the 70's.

I've always liked them, and I think Sabotage is their best album overall. The albums they made with Ronnie Dio were also very good, although I couldn't get on with Dio's solo stuff. Too much dragon nonesense I think..

Great... AddSabath... Then Add some more hard rock.. BUT leave the prog influnced & porg related heavy metal out!!!!! Don't let Maiden in here!!!!

This is gettin really amazing...

I just feel sooooo unfair..

I still don't understand what are Purple doing here?

I like Sabbath. Put does that I want them to be added? No. Wakeman did contribute to Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, and thats the most progressive theyve ever been. Just because you like a band dosn't mean you have to add it. Please specify why they are progressive. How are do satanic/black magic themes make a band progressive? How were they musically progressive? Thats not enough reason for a band to be added to our precious archive.

Yeah I think it was 'Sweet Leaf' that had the same riff as 'Evil Woman', Cert. Was playing 'Spooky Two' earlier and STILL think Spooky Tooth should be here...

An album always cited as being the birth of this sort of heavy rock is Jeff Beck's 'Truth'- I was playing it recently, and I see the point- certainly, Jeff Beck's guitar techniques here were as revolutionary as Hendrix's work was. I think Jeff Beck remains somewhat upset that Led Zeppelin did 'You Shook Me' as Beck himself had done a similar arrangement of it. To me though, Zeppelin's debut is a more coherent and well rounded album than 'Truth' is.

The problem for me in adding these bands like Sabbath and Zeppelin is the categorisation; I hardly think the underhand term of 'prog related' does their music justice to be honest. I had no problem with Deep Purple or Uriah Heep being here, as similar bands like Atomic Rooster, Lucifer's Friend, Quatermass, Warhorse, Captain Beyond and Still Life are here without much protest yet Heep and DP predated and influenced these acts. However, with Zep and Sabbath, whilst I wouldn't be outright against their inclusion, I would find it a little harder to justify it.