Black Sabbath Vol 4 is the fourth studio album by British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released in 1972 (see 1972 in music). It is a mixture of hard rock and heavy metal with classical elements and progressive rock roots.

It was originally to be titled Snowblind, the name of a track on the album which was a reference to cocaine use. The record company feared a backlash, particularly in America, so the title was altered. The song "Snowblind" had to be re-recorded because in the original Ozzy yelled the word "cocaine" after each verse (he can still be heard whispering "cocaine" in the final version, and he often screamed "cocaine" during live performances of the song). On the sleevenotes of the album Black Sabbath gave their thanks to "the great Coke-company", apparently this being a humoristic and drug-related paraphrase on the Coca Cola-company. "Changes" was a piano ballad written by Tony Iommi, and gave Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne a number one single thirty one years later.

Track listing

1. "Wheels of Confusion/The Straightener" – 8:00
2. "Tomorrow's Dream" – 3:10
3. "Changes" – 4:45
4. "FX" – 1:40
5. "Supernaut" – 4:43
6. "Snowblind" – 5:31
7. "Cornucopia" – 5:31
8. "Laguna Sunrise" – 2:52
9. "St. Vitus' Dance" – 2:27
10. "Under the Sun/Every Day Comes & Goes" – 5:51

All songs by Butler, Iommi, Osbourne, Ward.

Credits

• Ozzy Osbourne – vocals
• Tony Iommi – guitar
• Geezer Butler – bass guitar
• Bill Ward – drums

1972 albums | Black Sabbath albums | Heavy metal albums

Black Sabbath, Vol. 4 | Black Sabbath, Vol. 4 | Vol. 4 | Vol. 4 | Vol. 4