Thoughts on Master of Reality

I think the s/t will always be their greatest simply because of the impact it had and how many future styles of metal it influenced. But I really love all the early Sabbath albums, classic band without a doubt.

a friend and i have also wondered what would have happened if Sabbath became a psych rock band. They certainly could capture very nice stoned atmospheres with songs like Planet Caravan...


Edited by Sumdeus - October 26 2012 at 04:24

I never knew so many people didn't like Sweat Leaf, I always considered MOR to be a great album with no weak moments especially not the opener. I love this album it presents Sabbath at their heaviest. I wouldn't say it's their best but I always thought it was better than Vol. 4 which always seemed uneven in sound quality, some tracks sound good but others sound horrible( Cornucopia, Under The Sun). I might be a minority around here but I always liked Technical Ecstasy and Never Say Die better than those two as classic as they are.

I cant' get enough of that Vol. 4 first minute opener....tiniiiiiiii ti ti ti tiiiiiiiiii wi wiiiiiii ti tininininini < guitar solo

^ I have to agree that Vol.4 is the heavier album but MOR is a fine album and much improved from Paranoid IMO. 

sagichim wrote: I never knew so many people didn't like Sweat Leaf, I always considered MOR to be a great album with no weak moments especially not the opener. I love this album it presents Sabbath at their heaviest. I wouldn't say it's their best but I always thought it was better than Vol. 4 which always seemed uneven in sound quality, some tracks sound good but others sound horrible( Cornucopia, Under The Sun). I might be a minority around here but I always liked Technical Ecstasy and Never Say Die better than those two as classic as they are.I cant' get enough of that Vol. 4 first minute opener....tiniiiiiiii ti ti ti tiiiiiiiiii wi wiiiiiii ti tininininini < guitar solo

Blasphemy!! Cornucopia and Under the Sun are among my absolute faves from that album. I especially adore the convoluted nature of Cornucopia's riff. May just be the most confused in all of rock. Yummy!

Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote:   Some poeple seem to have a problem with the production of some of `Master', I noticed some tracks are almost like demos, others have a much fuller sound. I've argued endlessly with a friend about this over the years, saying he can't stand the album because of the sound quality, I say the rougher stuff gives the album it's identity and more of a `stoner rock' sound?

I actually don't think Master of Reality is their best album. My vote is for Paranoid. 

They peaked with Masters....their first three albums solidified their sound; everything after is too cluttered, too noisy or playing away from their strengths.  Vol. 4 is listenable but Never Say Die and especially Technical Ecstasy find the band forcing, not forging, a new sound.