Master of Reality is a heavy metal album by the rock band Black Sabbath, released in August of 1971 (see 1971 in music). The album includes one of their signature songs, "Sweet Leaf", an ode to cannabis. Critics generally regard Master of Reality as a poor follow-up to Paranoid, but still as a classic recording of early heavy metal, which influenced bands on both sides of the Atlantic, including Blue Oyster Cult, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen and Mott the Hoople.

On the Billboard Pop Albums chart, Master of Reality peaked at #8.

Track listing

  1. "Sweet Leaf" (Butler/Iommi/Osbourne/Ward) - 5:05
  2. "After Forever" (Butler/Iommi/Osbourne/Ward) - 5:26
  3. "Embryo" (Iommi) - 0:28
  4. "Children of the Grave" (Butler/Iommi/Osbourne/Ward) - 5:17
  5. "Orchid" (Iommi) - 1:31
  6. "Lord of This World" (Butler/Iommi/Osbourne/Ward) - 5:26
  7. "Solitude" (Butler/Iommi/Osbourne/Ward) - 5:02
  8. "Into the Void" (Butler/Iommi/Osbourne/Ward) - 6:12

Personnel

  • Ozzy Osbourne - Harmonica, Vocals
  • Rodger Bain - Producer
  • Geezer Butler - Bass
  • Tony Iommi - Guitar
  • Bill Ward - Drums, Vocals
  • Keef - Photography, Poster Design
  • Mike Stanfod - Art Direction