"Master of Reality" is the third studio album by English rock band Black Sabbath, released on August 08, 1971. It is widely regarded as the foundation of doom, stoner, and sludge metal. The album's sound features heavy, down-tuned guitar riffs, guttural vocals, and dark, satanic, and occult themes.
Black Sabbath, made up of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, recorded "Master of Reality" in Island Studios in London. The production was handled by Rodger Bain. "Master of Reality" was certified double platinum after having sold over two million copies.
The album kicks off with two of the band's most iconic songs, "Sweet Leaf" and "After Forever". It's worth noting that "Sweet Leaf" is a term often associated with marijuana, and many have interpreted the song as a pro-marijuana anthem. Meanwhile, "After Forever" deals with Christian beliefs, a rather uncharacteristic move for a band often associated with darker themes.
The album was not initially well received by critics, but it gained respect in retrospect, with many later reviewers highlighting it as significant and influential for the development of heavy metal music. Today, "Master of Reality" is considered one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time.
