Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne - four names that resonate throughout Rock's recorded history as clear and sublime as the haunting bell that tolls the opening to their eponymous debut album from 1970.
Collectively, they formed Black Sabbath and forged the most haunting and hypnotic rock sound of all time. From humble beginnings, the Birmingham quartet enslaved the minds and souls of millions of rock fans around the world and continue to do so into the new millennium.
The musical genre they created inspired countless musicians and spawned countless bands, all of which have attempted to emulate the Heavy Metal originators. Few have come close to rival the uniquely powerful musical make-up of the all powerful Black Sabbath.
Sabbaths massive influence on modern music can not be underestimated. VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock ranked them second, behind only Led Zeppelin, in importance and influence. Black Sabbath have sold multiple million albums worldwide to date.
Now, for the first time-ever, the blueprint, or rather black-print, to Sabbath's musical plan can be scrutinised via a myriad of previously unreleased studio outtakes, recently unearthed and compiled as additional bonus discs accompanying the band genre defining 1970 album Paranoid.
Paranoid is the first release in a set of Black Sabbath deluxe expanded editions. Each remastered album includes an additional disc of previously unheard outtakes, demos and instrumental tracks taken from the original studio sessions.
Paranoid is expanded to a triple-disc containing the extremely rare 1974 Quadraphonic mix of the album. The album also includes deluxe digipak gatefold packaging with expanded booklets containing rare and previously unseen photographs, comprehensive sleeve-notes telling the story behind each album and include images of rare single covers and memorabilia from the period.
Welcome to vital additions to the legacy of one of the most important and influential bands of all time....
Full album tracklisting:
Disc 1 (Original Album):
1. War Pigs
2. Paranoid
3. Planet Caravan
4. Iron Man
5. Electric Funeral
6. Hand Of Doom
7. Rat Salad
8. Fairies Wear Boots
Disc 2 (1974 Quadrophonic Mix):
1. War Pigs
2. Paranoid
3. Planet Caravan
4. Iron Man
5. Electric Funeral
6. Hand Of Doom
7. Rat Salad
8. Fairies Wear Boots
Disc 3
(Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks):
(Tracks 1-8 recorded at Regent Sound Studios, 16 & 17/6/70)
1. War Pigs (instrumental)
2. Paranoid (alternative lyrical version)
3. Planet Caravan (alternative lyrical version)
4. Iron Man (instrumental)
5. Electric Funeral (instrumental)
6. Hand Of Doom (instrumental)
7. Rat Salad (instrumental)
8. Fairies Wear Boots (instrumental)
The Deluxe Expanded Edition of "Paranoid" is released through Universal Music on the 6th April 2008.