Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath, a British band formed in Birmingham in 1968 and listed as disbanding in 2025, is known for a heavy, riff-driven sound that helped shape the early development of heavy metal. Their music is built around down-tuned, power-chord guitar riffs, prominent bass and drum parts, and distinctive vocals; the classic early lineup included guitarist Tony Iommi, vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. Lyrical themes often explore darker subject matter and social concerns, and the group is widely recognized for influencing subsequent generations of heavy rock and metal bands.