Black Sabbath - Walpurgis

Literally no one was playing Music this heavy in 1970 , even Deep Purple were not that heavy compared to Sabbath , this is the Genesis of Metal.

This version has a more sinister feel to it than the studio album version.

If you listen to their Paris 1970 concert, you'll hear a hybrid mix of lyrics from both versions.

This is a criminally underrated original version of war pigs in my opinion.

The lyrics for those wondering: Witches gather at black masses  Bodies burning in red ashes  On the hill the church in ruin Is the scene of evil doings  It's a place for all bad sinners  Watch them eating dead rats' innards I guess it's the same whereever you may go  Oh Lord yeah Carry banners which denounce the lord See me rocking in my grave See them anoint my head with dead rat's blood See them stick the stake through me Oh Don't hold me back cause I've just gotta go They've got a hold of my soul now Lords got my brain instinct with blood obscene Look in my eyes I'm there enough  Yeah  On the scene a priest appears Sinners falling at his knees Satan sends out funeral pyre Casts the priest into the fire It's the place for all bad sinners Watch them eating dead rats' innards I guess it's the same whereever you may go Oh lord yeah

‘Cast the priest into the fire’ must have been far too brutal for 1970

Ozzy's voice, so dark and haunting, like these lyrics. Perfect.

For those interested, fellow proto-metal band Iron Claw did a live cover of Walpurgis. The earliest Black Sabbath cover ever— it even predates Flower Travellin Band's cover of their title song and even predates the release of Paranoid itself.

It's amazing how just a shift in theme in lyrics and tempo can change the tone of the song entirely. War Pigs sounds gung ho, ironically as if the listener is a soldier going to war. The solos at the end sound as if you're there, fighting for your life. In this version, you feel helpless. It feels even more anguishing, as if you're watching your town burn down and get destroyed by demons and there is absolutely NOTHING you can do but look on in horror. You want to run, but you're paralyzed both by shock and devastation.

Geezers playing is absolutely perfect

This is why Sabbath was always my favorite pioneers of heavy metal. In 1970, this blew minds.

This version is insanely good

Never knew about this version until just now!

I like the style ozzy sings on this one and the first album. More throaty and deep

This songs freaks satan out.

This is flat out amazing. The original evil.

Happy Walpurgisnacht! It's Saturday, April 30th, 2022 Literally a Black Sabbath

Geezer is the only one perfect on a nail, he's the GOAT of all metal bass players

The lyrics were so dark, evil, real and on your face that Warner brothers couldnt take it! There's not a single band who can out smart Black Sabbath in any department! \m/

I had no idea about this version man. I feel I've been in the dark my whole life now