Saturday, March 11, 2006

Sounds like Sabbath

My title is a statement that seems have become more prevalent in reviews over recent years. It's perhaps becoming a bit like saying 'it tastes like chicken' in that it's used just to have reference point and because everyone knows Black Sabbath. I admit that I probably drop names a bit more than I should, but I have always used other bands in reference to describing a band's sound. Then again this statement is also largely used because Black Sabbath were one of the first bands to really define the metal sound and they are perhaps the single most influential metal band of all time. You don't hear a lot of reviewers today saying "these guys sound like Helix" or "these guys sound like Krokus". The fact that young bands are still popping up playing riffs that show the influence of this band is a testament to their legacy. I think even music fans that aren't necessarily fans of metal tend to at least have respect for Sabbath. This is also even more surprising when you take into account that their real prime was just really the albums from their debut through Sabotage which is a total of six. The other two Ozzy albums were weak and even though the albums with Dio are very good, it's just a very different style. I know that I used this statement in my reviews and may continue if it apply, but I will try to elaborate on what I mean instead of just using like a catch phrase. They have been one of my top three favorite bands since I was a teenager.

2 Comments:

Blogger David Amulet said...

Good observation. I've seen this all too often. I saw a review of Finger Eleven a couple of years ago that said they were a combination of Sabbath, Gabriel-era Genesis, and something else (perhaps it was Led Zeppelin). How could I resist?

Well, in turns out I love Finger Eleven. Some of the band's riffs and melodies and song structures are among the best modern rock ones I have heard. But I don't get the "sounds like Sabbath" line, except in the sense you mention here ... that almost EVERY rock band owes a debt to Sabbath, eeven if they don't realize it because they are inlfuenced by copies of echoes of those influenced by Sabbath.

-- david

9:04 AM  
Blogger :P fuzzbox said...

Sabbath did set the standard. So it is easy to see other bands in their light. The same can be said of Led Zeppalin also, which so many bands, immulate in one fashion or another.

Also I might add that I haven't heard anyone mention 'Helix' in forever. 'No Rest for the Wicked' is a favorite ear candy album of mine. It might not have been that great but it takes me back to a time that I enjoyed.

11:40 AM  

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