Other than various back catalogue reissues and compilation albums, as well as the Mob Rules-era line-up reuniting as Heaven & Hell, there was no further activity under the Black Sabbath name until 2011 with the release of their final studio album and 19th overall, 13, in 2013, which features all of the original members except Ward. After two more studio albums with Martin, who returned to replace Dio in 1993, the band's original line-up reunited in 1997 and released a live album, Reunion, the following year they continued to tour occasionally until 2005.

That same year, Iommi rejoined with Butler, Dio and Appice to record Dehumanizer (1992). Martin, who replaced Gillen in 1987, was the second-longest serving vocalist after Osbourne and recorded three albums with Black Sabbath before his dismissal in 1991. Following two albums with Dio, Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules, the second of which saw drummer Vinny Appice replace Ward, Black Sabbath endured many personnel changes from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s that included vocalists Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes, Ray Gillen and Tony Martin, as well as several drummers and bassists, with Butler's departure in 1984 leaving Iommi as the only remaining original member. He was replaced by former Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Osbourne's excessive substance abuse led to his firing in 1979. The band's popularity grew, and by 1973's Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, critics were starting to respond favourably. Though it received a negative critical response, the album was a commercial success, leading to a follow-up record, Paranoid, later that year. Signing to Philips Records in November 1969, they released their first single, ' Evil Woman', in January 1970, and their debut album, Black Sabbath, was released the following month. They distinguished themselves through occult themes with horror-inspired lyrics and down-tuned guitars. The band had multiple line-up changes following Osbourne's departure in 1979, with Iommi being the only constant member throughout their history.Īfter previous iterations of the group – the Polka Tulk Blues Band and Earth – the band settled on the name Black Sabbath in 1969. The band helped define the genre with releases such as Black Sabbath (1970), Paranoid (1970) and Master of Reality (1971). They are often cited as pioneers of heavy metal music. Black Sabbath were an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne.

Black Sabbath by Mike Stark