Happy Birthday: “Paranoid” Turns 49!

Released on this date in 1970, Black Sabbath’s second full length studio album Paranoid,  is a legendary piece of Heavy Metal history. Though many give credit to the bands self titled debut as the “birth of heavy metal” others would argue it was Paranoid that brought it roaring and screaming into the car speakers of a generation of rock fans. And they ate it up!

The bands first and only record until 2003 to reach the top of the British album charts, Paranoid was the home of some the bands signature songs. The title track, Iron Man and War Pigs are still staples of classic rock radio for good reason. They kick ass in a way only Black Sabbath can. You would be hard pressed to find a more influential hard rock or heavy metal band than Black Sabbath, and Paranoid is all the proof you need.