Black Sabbath is an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. Widely regarded as pioneers of heavy metal, the band defined the genre with their dark, heavy sound and occult-inspired lyrics. Their self-titled debut album (1970) and the follow-up, Paranoid (1970), featuring hits like “War Pigs” and “Iron Man,” are considered milestones in rock history. Black Sabbath’s influence on metal is immeasurable, with their down-tuned guitars and foreboding themes setting the template for countless bands. After Osbourne’s departure in 1979, the band went through numerous lineup changes, maintaining success with albums such as Heaven and Hell (1980). Black Sabbath reunited with Osbourne multiple times, releasing their final studio album, 13, in 2013. They retired from touring in 2017, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the most influential rock bands in history.