Black Sabbath • Paranoid
Warner Brothers R1 78976
33-RPM 180 g LP
Originally released on September 18th, 1970 (coincident with yours truly’s third birthday), Paranoid was Black Sabbath’s second studio album, and their only album to top the British record charts. On this side of the Atlantic, Paranoid has been certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA.
Containing just eight songs, including the titular Paranoid (which was literally a last-minute addition to the album: realising they were short a song, guitarist Tony Lommi played the guitar rift and the song was written in less than 30 minutes), this re-release is nicely packaged in a heavy gatefold sleeve, using the original British artwork.
What I found quite surprising, though, is the sound quality: considering its age and in the context of a heavy metal album, the sound quality of this album very good! Bass is deep and tight, and the treble isn’t splashy. The cymbals shimmer wonderfully, and the sound could teach today’s producers and engineers a thing or two about not overdoing compression.
If you’re a fan of the genre, I’d say this album is a must-have. If not, the great packaging and sound quality, coupled with the reasonable price, make this album worth trying if you’re in an experimental mood.