By the time Black Sabbath began work on what was to be their fourth album in 72, the conveniently titled Volume 4, they were very much in the ascendant. Their fan base was growing with each succeeding tour & album, & their style was firmly established. However, to the band members, the treadmill of the rock cycle album/tour/album/tour in perpetuity
- offered no challenge any more. They wanted to stretch themselves, to push the parameters of what theyd already created. So, for the new album,