Black Sabbath are an English
rock band, formed in
Birmingham in 1968, by guitarist and main songwriter
Tony Iommi, bassist and main lyricist
Geezer Butler, singer
Ozzy Osbourne, and drummer
Bill Ward. The band have since experienced multiple line-up changes, with guitarist Iommi being the only constant presence in the band through the years. Originally formed in 1968 as a
blues rock band, the group soon adopted the Black Sabbath moniker and began incorporating
occult themes with horror-inspired lyrics and tuned-down guitars. Despite an association with these two themes, Black Sabbath also composed songs dealing with social instability, political corruption, the dangers of drug abuse and apocalyptic prophecies of the horrors of war.