Another day another dollar and yet another greatest hits album. This time the ego boost comes from Black Sabbath. This merry go round is titled Greatest Hits 1970-1978, though judging by the other 6 Sabbath greatest hits albums it should be titled Greatest Hits 1970-1978 part 5. There have been two box sets and 4 other greatest hits compilations covering this same period of time and truth be told it has now become old and boring. I’ve always been a Black Sabbath fan even during the Tony Martin years and I believe that they indeed are the inventors of Heavy Metal. However, there has to come a time when you put the kabosh on an idea and this whole Greatest Hits things needs to be stamped out. Then again Black Sabbath has always done things in excess so I guess this was to be expected. For those of you who never listened to Sabbath the song descriptions are below.

Black Sabbath: This song made people all over Europe **** their pants when it came out. It’s got Satan, Ozzy and an ass kicking riff courtesy of Tony Iommi.

N.I.B The opening riff of this song made Jimmy Page look like a flamenco guitarist. One of the most infectious Sabbath grooves EVER! It’s got Satan, Ozzy and another ass kicking riff…how do you top that?

The Wizard: This song is a bit of a blues based metal jam very good 70’s song. It’s got a Wizard and wait for it….Ozzy jamming on a Harmonica!!

War Pigs: This song intensifies the horrors of war and is generally the opener at all Sabbath shows. Opening with the sound of air raid sirens this song never stops rocking.

Paranoid: The title track from their second album it is a fast paced ass kicker that will have you singing along by the second verse.

Iron Man: Arguably the most famous metal riff of all time. You cant say the name Black Sabbath without Iron Man being brought up. It’s got Ozzy and a robot who destroys the people he once protected

Sweet Leaf: As far as I can tell this is the first ever metal tribute song to Marijuana. This song had NOTHING to do with my experimental weed use in High School…well almost nothing.

Children of the Grave: This song is one of my favorite all time Sabbath songs because it is heavier and faster then hell! Bill Ward’s drumming on this song is phenomenal. Ozzy is still Ozzy but there seems to be an aggressive edge to his voice. Excellent song.

Changes: The biggest surprise of the Ozzy era is a lament of a broken hearted lover. Set to Piano and strings it is a hauntingly beautiful song. Ozzy absolutely shines on this song.

Snowblind: Tony Iommi lays down some truly amazing riffs on this song and Ozzy does a great job mixing in different vocal styles. Another rocker.

Supernaut: This song is impossible to hate, believe me I’ve tried. Iommi’s opening riff just puts you into an undeniably good mood. This is a funky little groove of a tune that sadly comes to an end all too soon.

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath: Listening to this song as I write this and I couldn’t help but yell out when the opening riff kicked in. This is another one of my favorite all time Sabbath songs. This song definitely set the bar for Metal music.

Hole In The Sky: A pissed off little ditty about pollution. A fairly good offering from Sabbath though I would not have placed it on the Greatest Hits collection.

Rock’N Roll Doctor: Had this song been done in the 80’s it would have been a picture perfect glam metal song. Think Great White with Jerry Lee Lewis on Piano…way ahead of its time.

Never Say Die: I didn’t like this song the first time I heard it and nothing has changed. This song is akin to pissing out shards of broken glass. Interesting, but more often than not, PAINFUL.

Dirty Women: A somewhat silly ode to Prostitution. Musically it’s a decent song but lets face it with lyrics like “a woman for sale/ is gonna help me save my day” you cant help but laugh.

Ok my final words: I love Sabbath I really and truly do but enough with the goddamn greatest hits albums. This album is a great place for first time listeners as it does give a very good cross section of Sabbath material but that’s about the only purpose it serves. Thankfully I got my copy for free because I wouldn’t spend so much as one dollar on this.