Album of the Day

"For me, SNOWBLIND was one of Black Sabbath's best-ever albums – although the record company wouldn't let us keep the title,” noted singer Ozzy Osbourne of VOL. 4. The original title track is a nod to the British quartet's cocaine binge during the set's recording at the Record Plant in Los Angeles, but the other nine songs show the band on a creative binge. With the group – guitarist Tony Iommi in particular – taking the reins of production, the arrangements are more varied than ever; from keyboard ballad “Changes” to the thundering “Supernaut” to the neo-classical instrumental “Laguna Sunrise,” this is Sabbath at their most ambitious and eclectic. Released 45 years ago today, VOL. 4 has been cited by the likes of Kerrang! and Rolling Stone as one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time, and we're in total agreement.