Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Black Sabbath release limited edition audiophile reels of self-titled debut album and ‘Paranoid’
Black Sabbath forged the dark sound of heavy metal in 1970 across two monumental albums—their self-titled debut and its multi-platinum follow-up, “Paranoid”. Today, new audiophile editions of both are available on reel-to-reel from Rhino High Fidelity.
“Black Sabbath” and “Paranoid” (Rhino High Fidelity R2R) were duplicated in real time from 1:1 copies of the U.S. analog master tapes. The result is a master-quality listening experience that captures the full dynamics of these recordings. The 15 i.p.s. half-track 1/4″ tape is produced to the IEC equalization standard on premium RTM LPR90 tape stock and stored on a 10.5″ metal reel. Each Reel-to-Reel edition is limited to 500 copies worldwide and available exclusively at Rhino.com.
Released on Friday the 13th in February 1970, the self-titled debut from the Birmingham, England quartet conjured a sinister, visceral sound that reshaped rock music. Powered by Tony Iommi‘s crushing guitar riffs, Ozzy Osbourne‘s primal vocals, Geezer Butler‘s seismic bass lines, and Bill Ward‘s powerhouse drumming, tracks like “Black Sabbath” and “N.I.B.” set a high bar for heavy music. The album peaked at #8 on the U.K. chart and #23 on the Billboard 200, eventually earning platinum certification in the U.S.
Later that year, in September 1970, “Paranoid” solidified the band’s status as the Godfathers of Heavy Metal. Brooding anthems like “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,” and the frenetic title track combined unforgettable hooks with unbridled power, while the atmospheric “Planet Caravan” revealed their dynamic depth. The album topped the U.K. charts and peaked at #12 in the U.S., where it sold more than four million copies. Today, it ranks as one of the greatest and most influential metal albums of all time.
Rhino High Fidelity continues to tap into Warner Music‘s vast catalog, introducing reissues of seminal albums across genres—from rock and pop to jazz, soul, and beyond. Each title pairs uncompromising audio with archival-grade packaging, honoring the album’s original intent in both sound and design.
Get your copy by clicking here.