10 bands to listen to if you love Black Sabbath but want something different
And on the first day, Black Sabbath made heavy metal. And on the 20265th day, there was a shit load of noise because of it.
We credit Sabbath with the birth of metal, and therefore, every metal band that has come since owes something to them. Sure, but there is a lot more to it than that. It wasn’t just that they gave rise to a new genre of music, but they were also responsible for showing people who had more of an alternative taste that there was still a market for them.
As a result, there are hundreds of bands that are now succeeding within the music industry, which in some way resemble Black Sabbath, even if they’re not directly operating within that heavy / doom metal sound. I mean, let’s face it, if you like Black Sabbath, you’re not going to struggle to find groups imitating them, but there are also plenty of bands who might not be a direct reflection of what they did, but do champion the values they bestowed on music.
That’s where this list comes in. If you want bands that sound like Sabbath, that’s fine, go find them. However, if you want outfits that have slightly different sounds but are the embodiment of what Black Sabbath started, then keep reading. These are ten groups you have to listen to if you love Black Sabbath but want something different.
10 bands to listen to if you love Black Sabbath:
Amyl and the Sniffers
If you are looking for raw energy and a band that is completely unapologetic in its aggressiveness, look no further than Amyl and the Sniffers. The band is more of a punk outfit than metal, but there are similarities in terms of how the riffs sound, how unrelenting the rhythm is, and the vigour with which lead singer Amy Taylor sings.
Sabbath were always renowned for their ability to carry their large sound into a live setting, and Amyl and the Sniffers are no different. The band is famous for delivering some of the most iconic live shows on this side of the millennium, so if you need a modern-day mosh pit, look no further.
Elder
Elder are probably the band on this list that are the most similar to Black Sabbath. Doom metal lies at the heart of everything they do, as the band puts together long songs laced with heavy riffs and shredding solos. If you want layered rock music that you can get fully lost in, Elder are the band for you.
Make no mistake, Elder’s music isn’t the kind of thing you put on looking for a quick listen on a short commute. These are records that deserve your undivided attention and that take time. Sit down, put your earphones on, and cancel all plans for the next hour as the magnitude of this band takes full effect.
Mindz Eye
People might be a bit surprised by Mindz Eye as a recommendation, as they don’t have much in common with Black Sabbath, but bear with me. The band operate more on the punk/metal side of things, which doesn’t resemble anything that Sabbath ever did; however, the energy is still there and is a huge part of their sound.
Part of what won people over towards Sabbath was that the music sounded like it was being played live. Mindz Eye are similar in that sense, as you could be convinced these songs aren’t recorded, but that you have a little band playing in your earphones. The sound is massive, it packs a punch unlike anything you’ve ever heard, and triggers the same feelings that people probably felt when they heard Sabbath for the first time.
Glare
If you’re a fan of shoegaze, then you’re going to love Glare. That’s certainly the genre that the band operate in the most, but they make the sound a touch heavier than your standard shoegaze outfit. Their albums are real treats, as one song blends into another and makes for something truly exciting.
While there is a large gap between the music of Black Sabbath and Glare, the way that both bands use guitar work in a bid to layer their songs, and the journey that both bands’ music takes you on, is truly inspired. This might initially sound like a rogue shout, but trust me, if you want something that channels the feeling of Sabbath and takes it into different genres, Glare is the band for you.
Ten Years After
Sure, Black Sabbath might be renowned for their heavy sound, but there was a lot more to the band than that. Every single member was a truly exceptional musician, and that means that when you listen to their albums, some tracks take you by surprise. A prime example of this is the track ‘Planet Caravan’.
If you like this hippy side of Sabbath and want music which is similar, one of the best bands you can turn to is Ten Years After. Their 1971 album A Space In Time is psychedelic, trippy and packed with excellent musicianship. If you’re a fan of ‘Planet Caravan’, this band should be listened to.
You’re Jovian
Some of the albums You’re Jovian has put together sound less like albums and more like new worlds that you’ve been thrown into the centre of. Every song is so well-crafted, curated, and put together that it’s as though a world has been created around it.
The band is a great example of songs found, not written. The way they naturally progress, despite being heavy, layered, and atmospheric, feels incredibly natural and fun to listen to. While they may not be quite as heavy as Sabbath, the bands have parallels, which makes it so you would most likely enjoy listening.
Witch Fever
Okay, you want doom metal? You can have it. Witch Fever are one of the most exciting, dynamic and heavy doom metal bands out there. Their debut album, Congregation, pricked the ears of every metal fan within listening distance, and now, as new music such as ‘THE GARDEN’ and ‘FEVEREATEN’ begins to bleed through the cracks, the four-piece is making it clear they have no intention of slowing down.
Witch Fever operates in that beautiful pocket of music that balances order and chaos. The way that they can control feedback and carnage and use it to their advantage in a bid to build on their cinematic sound is inspired. If you like Black Sabbath, you’ll like these. It’s as simple as that.
THWACK!
How do you even begin to describe a band like THWACK!? They have all the hallmarks of a rock band, but they’re presented in a completely unique way. Imagine there is a multiverse, and the universe out there which is laden with rock-whimsy, creativity, fun and excellent musicians suddenly cracks open, THWACK! are the kind of band that would fall through said crack.
You’ve heard ‘War Pigs’, now get ready for ‘Margaret Thatcher Blood Snatcher’. It’s a protest song (of sorts) put together in a way that Thatcher herself would hate, as it’s joyous. Sabbath were celebrated for pioneering a sound many thought impossible, and THWACK! are doing the same thing. If you want rock music but that pushes the boundaries of the genre while adding theatrics and fun, you can’t go far wrong here.
Couch Slut
Couch Slut represents a subsection of metal music that Black Sabbath may not be a huge reflection of, but is certainly an inspiration within. Couch Slut’s music is heavier, the lyrics are delivered with more of a punch, there’s more distortion, more chaos, and the whole thing is messy. But my word, it’s a lot of fun!
If you’re ready for a quick hit of metal, with exciting guitar work, rhythm and some of the most dynamic vocals in metal, look no further. Their albums Take A Chance On Rock ‘n’ Roll and You Could Do It Tonight are absolute bursts of musical prowess that shouldn’t be missed by a Sabbath fan.
Femur
An artery pulled from the beating heart of the Sheffield punk scene, Femur are one of the greatest live bands you’ll ever see, and it’s the way they channel that chaotic energy that bands like Sabbath originally pioneered that makes them so good. Every single band member is exceptional in isolation, but put them together, and you really have something.
While the band operate in the punk scene rather than heavy metal, there’s enough of a connect there that means Black Sabbath fans would probably find something they like. It’s interesting to hear those early chimes of metal reverberate in so many exciting ways in the modern age.
