Black Sabbath's Biggest Album Surges To New Highs After Ozzy Osbourne's Death

Forbes

2 days ago

Black Sabbath released 19 studio albums throughout the decades, along with numerous other projects like live sets and compilations. Following the death of frontman Ozzy Osbourne just a few weeks ago, both his solo catalog and the band's output have soared in popularity. Consumption of everything tied to the two acts has surged, sending both Osbourne and Black Sabbath back onto charts all around the world, and even producing new wins in the United States. The band's biggest album rises on multiple tallies this frame, hitting just-established peaks on several rankings at the same time.
Paranoid Climbs to New Peaks
Paranoid is remembered as perhaps Black Sabbath's most important full-length. The group's second set marked a major high point in the early '70s, bringing the rockers to No. 1 in the United Kingdom for the first time. This week, Paranoid climbs to new best placements on both the Top Rock Albums and Top Rock & Alternative Albums charts in America. On those lists, the decades-old title improves to Nos. 4 and 5, respectively.
Paranoid on the Billboard Charts
Paranoid has only spent two weeks on both of the genre-specific rankings where it hits new highs this frame. The set debuted last frame after Osbourne's passing ignited a surge in sales and streams. The set also rises on both the Billboard 200 and Top Album Sales tallies, lifting to Nos. 27 and 39, though those numbers aren't the title's loftiest placements.
Paranoid Debuts on the Streaming Tally
The classic Paranoid can be found on two other tallies as well. It launches at No. 40 on the Top Streaming Albums ranking, giving Black Sabbath its first hit on that list, just weeks after the group played its final show together. The tally was introduced only a few years ago, so the band's absence until now isn't surprising.
Multiple Wins for Black Sabbath
Paranoid also appears on the Top Hard Rock Albums chart, the only Billboard tally where Black Sabbath occupies more than one space this week. The bestseller holds at its all-time peak of No. 2, while The Ultimate Collection improves two rungs to No. 21.
The Lasting Legacy of Paranoid
When Paranoid was released in September 1970, it quickly established Black Sabbath's reputation as pioneers of heavy metal. The eight-track set includes some of the band's defining cuts, such as 'War Pigs,' 'Iron Man,' and the title track — all of which remain staples of classic rock radio and streaming playlists.