As far as we were concerned, we were just a blues band that had decided to write some scary music

As far as we were concerned, we were just a blues band that had decided to write some scary music

Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, is often credited with pioneering the genre of heavy metal music. However, in the early days of the band, they did not set out to create the dark and ominous sound that would come to define their music. In fact, as Osbourne himself once said, "As far as we were concerned, we were just a blues band that had decided to write some scary music."

This statement speaks to the organic evolution of Black Sabbath's sound. The band originally formed in Birmingham, England in 1968, with Osbourne on vocals, Tony Iommi on guitar, Geezer Butler on bass, and Bill Ward on drums. They were heavily influenced by the blues and rock music of the time, but they also had a shared love of horror movies and the occult. This combination of influences would ultimately shape the sound of Black Sabbath and set them apart from their contemporaries.

As they began writing and recording music, Black Sabbath found themselves drawn to darker themes and heavier riffs. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1970, featured songs like "Black Sabbath" and "N.I.B." that were unlike anything else being produced at the time. The ominous lyrics, heavy guitar riffs, and Osbourne's haunting vocals created a sound that was both terrifying and captivating.

Over the years, Black Sabbath would continue to push the boundaries of heavy metal music, releasing iconic albums like "Paranoid," "Master of Reality," and "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath." Their music explored themes of war, death, and the supernatural, earning them a reputation as one of the most influential bands in the history of rock music.

Despite their success, Black Sabbath never lost sight of their roots as a blues band. The influence of blues music can still be heard in their songs, even as they embraced a heavier and more menacing sound. In the end, Osbourne's statement about being a blues band that decided to write scary music perfectly encapsulates the unique blend of influences that made Black Sabbath one of the most groundbreaking bands of their time.