Master of Reality: A Deep Dive for Guitarists

"Master of Reality," Black Sabbath's third studio album, was released in 1971 and marked a turning point in the band's sound. Master of Reality was Black Sabbath first album to enter the top 10 album chart in the US and certified double platinum after having sold 2 million copies. This album showcased a darker, heavier sound that would become the cornerstone of heavy metal music. It features some of the most iconic riffs and solos in the rock and metal world, played by lead guitarist Tony Iommi.

In this Licklibrary guitar lesson course, Licklibrary veteran Danny Gill walks you through the many highlights of each song from the heavy metal icons one phase at a time, including all of Tony Iommi's legendary guitar parts from the tracks; Sweet Leaf, Into the Void, and the anthemic Children of the Grave.This article will provide an in-depth analysis of each song, focusing on guitar scales, solos, and techniques used by Iommi.

1. Sweet Leaf

"Sweet Leaf" starts with a sample of Tony Iommi coughing, followed by a power chord riff that sets the tone for the entire album. The song is in the key of A, featuring the blues scale and the use of slides and palm muting. The solo uses a combination of the A minor pentatonic and A blues scales. The solo showcases Iommi's signature vibrato and string bending techniques.

2. After Forever

"After Forever" is a more upbeat track in the key of E. Iommi uses various chord progressions and a mix of major and minor scales. The solo uses the E minor pentatonic scale with some octave melodies and double-stop bends. It also features the use of syncopated rhythms in the main riff.

3. Embryo

"Embryo" is a short instrumental interlude featuring a clean guitar playing arpeggiated chords. It uses an E minor scale and showcases the use of arpeggios and finger-picking techniques.

4. Children of the Grave

"Children of the Grave" is a fast-paced, aggressive track featuring a galloping rhythm guitar pattern. The main riff is in the key of E, using the E minor pentatonic scale and galloping rhythms. The solo is based on the E minor pentatonic scale and features hammer-ons, pull-offs, and alternate picking.

5. Orchid

"Orchid" is another instrumental interlude that showcases Iommi's acoustic guitar skills. The song is in the key of E minor and uses finger-picking techniques, as well as slides and hammer-ons. It features a beautiful melody with arpeggiated chords.

6. Lord of this World

"Lord of this World" is a heavy, doom-laden track in the key of E. The main riff is based on the E minor pentatonic scale, with the use of power chords and palm muting. The solo incorporates the E minor pentatonic scale and blues scale, featuring techniques like bends, vibrato, and slides. This song demonstrates Iommi's ability to create a dark and menacing atmosphere through his guitar work.

7. Solitude

"Solitude" is a melancholic ballad with a clean guitar and flute intro, showcasing a different side of Black Sabbath. The song is in the key of C# minor, featuring arpeggiated chords and the use of finger-picking techniques. The lead guitar lines are based on the C# minor pentatonic scale, with subtle bends and slides, adding depth and emotion to the song.

8. Into the Void

"Into the Void" is another heavy track in the key of E. The main riff uses the E minor pentatonic scale, with power chords and palm muting. The song has a slower tempo, adding to its weight and intensity. The solo incorporates the E minor pentatonic scale and blues scale, with techniques like bends, vibrato, and alternate picking.

Tony Iommi: Lead Guitarist and Innovator

Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath's lead guitarist, played a crucial role in defining the sound of "Master of Reality" and the heavy metal genre as a whole. His unique playing style, characterised by downtuned guitars and heavy distortion, created a dark and heavy atmosphere that became a staple in metal music. Iommi's innovative approach to guitar techniques, such as power chords, palm muting, and string bending, has had a lasting influence on generations of guitarists.

"Master of Reality" stands as a testament to Black Sabbath's pioneering role in the development of heavy metal music. Tony Iommi's innovative guitar playing and the band's dark, heavy sound have left an indelible mark on the genre. Guitarists can learn much from studying Iommi's playing on this album, as it offers a wealth of techniques and approaches to guitar playing that are still relevant and influential today.

Guitar techniques used in "Master of Reality"

Here's a summary of the guitar techniques used throughout "Master of Reality":

• Power chords
• Palm muting
• String bending
• Vibrato
• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Alternate picking
• Finger-picking
• Arpeggios
• Syncopated rhythms
• Galloping rhythms
• Double-stop bends
• Octave melodies
• Chord progressions