Few bands have altered the trajectory of music as profoundly as Black Sabbath. Their catalogue is a labyrinth of doom, blues, psychedelia, proto-thrash, and occult atmosphere. A body of work so influential that “heavy metal” itself is unthinkable without it. But greatness isn’t measured by popularity. It’s measured by the power of the riffs, the strength of the vocals, the depth of the songwriting, and the way each track’s structure, atmosphere, and performance lock together into something undeniable.
Not the most famous. Not the most streamed. Not the big hit singles. But the top 10 greatest Black Sabbath songs ever written.
Here are the top ten Black Sabbath tracks of all time.
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1. WHEN DEATH CALLS
A towering epic from Headless Cross, built on one of Iommi’s most haunting clean‑to‑crushing transitions. Tony Martin delivers a career‑defining vocal, moving from fragile introspection to operatic power, while Brian May’s guest solo adds a ghostly, melodic edge. It’s Sabbath at their most dramatic and emotionally devastating. It might come as a surprise to some but I think that When Death Calls is Black Sabbath's best song.
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2. ANNO MUNDI
A cathedral of melody and atmosphere. The opening vocal lines are among Tony Martin’s finest, and the song’s sweeping structure. From gentle lament to thunderous, triumphant riffing. It displays Tony Iommi's brilliance as a composer on an almost symphonic scale. A spiritual, majestic highlight of Tyr.
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3. HEAVEN AND HELL
A masterclass in tension and release. The verses simmer with quiet menace before exploding into one of the most iconic choruses in metal. Dio’s voice is elemental, Geezer’s lyrics are mythic, and Iommi’s mid‑section jam is pure electricity. A definitive Sabbath epic.
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4. THE SIGN OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS
A slow‑burning monolith of doom and mysticism. The clean intro is chilling, the main riff is colossal, and Dio’s vocal performance is nothing short of sacred. This is Sabbath painting on a cosmic canvas. Vast, dark, and awe‑inspiring.
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5. HEADLESS CROSS
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6. A NATIONAL ACROBAT
A deep‑cut gem from Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. The riffing is intricate and hypnotic, the groove is irresistible, and Ozzy’s vocal phrasing is some of his most inventive. It’s a strange, swirling, depressing psychedelic metal journey that rewards every listen.
7. CHILDREN OF THE SEA
Another great Dio‑era track, Children of the Sea is a perfect fusion of beauty and power. The gentle acoustic intro gives way to a storm of melody and steel. Dio’s storytelling is vivid, and Iommi’s riffs feel carved from ancient stone. A timeless classic.
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8. THE SHINING
A dark, elegant powerhouse from The Eternal Idol. Tony Martin’s vocals soar over one of Iommi’s most dramatic riffs, and the song’s sense of rising tension makes it feel like a gothic metal prophecy. Underrated, atmospheric, and absolutely massive.
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9. DIE YOUNG
Die Young is one of the Dio‑era Sabbath tracks where urgency and emotion collide. It shifts from a moody, atmospheric intro into a fast, driving riff that feels almost desperate in its intensity. Dio delivers one of his most passionate performances, turning the song into a battle between hope and doom. It’s dramatic, melodic, and full of that unmistakable Heaven and Hell‑era electricity.
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10. CHILDREN OF THE GRAVE
A relentless, tribal‑driven classic. Ward’s drumming is volcanic, Iommi’s riff is one of the most propulsive he ever wrote, and the song’s apocalyptic energy still hits like a hammer. A cornerstone of the band’s darker, heavier identity.
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