There’s a lot to say about the English-born band that shocked more than one nation when they went so dark with metal. But to this date a lot of it is positive when people realize that for all their struggles Black Sabbath created a sound that audiences loved. It didn’t matter if the critics didn’t like it, the critics didn’t need to buy it. Black Sabbath’s popularity soared throughout the years and despite the fact that they separated from the legendary Ozzie Osbourne in 1979 they would reunite 18 years later in 1997. Throughout that entire time they remained relevant by keeping their same sound and never once giving the fans any real reason to doubt them. After gaining the trust of such a large fan base putting their songs into movies was the next logical step.
And if you can claim that their songs don’t pump you up at times then quite honestly you don’t know what you’re missing.
5. Kong: Skull Island – Paranoid
When you’re traveling to an unknown island where there are suspected to be monsters unlike anything that mankind has ever seen before you might want to show a little humility. But that’s not the human way is it? Our species is all too often about getting in, seeing what there is to see, and then being the biggest baddest, most hostile thing in the jungle. That doesn’t work when there are things out there that can swat helicopters out of the sky like they’re mosquitoes.
4. Iron Man – Iron Man
There couldn’t be any more perfect rendition of this song for any movie out there. It’s as though it was made for this purpose and the movie just had to catch up. When Tony’s suiting up for the first time and when the credits roll you get the sense that Iron Man is finally taking center stage where he belongs and is here to stay. Captain America might be the first Avenger, but Iron Man is the guy with the biggest impact.
3. 300: Rise of an Empire – War Pigs
Ever notice how Black Sabbath songs work so well for conflict? Their sound is so great that even a film in which men are about to slaughter one another gives it such a powerful feeling that you feel yourself gripping your arm rests in the anticipation of the battle to come. And when the blood begins to flow you grip a little harder as you await the final outcome, which in war could go either way.
2. Wayne’s World – Time Machine
Wayne’s World is kind of on the other side of the spectrum when you’re thinking about movies that should be using Black Sabbath, but this doesn’t mean that it should never have been used. Instead it gives a bigger sense of whimsy and depth to the movie that might have been lacking due to it’s funny and upbeat nature. If only for a moment Wayne’s World gets to feel just a little hardcore.
1. The Hangover III – N.I.B.
Leslie Chow is madness. You don’t talk to madness, you endure it if you can. Throughout the trio of movies Chow has been nothing short of insane, coked out, drunk off his skinny butt, and absolutely nuts. The use of this song in this scene is so great that you can’t help but feel like you’ve stepped into the crazy mess that is the mind of Leslie Chow.
Black Sabbath is some powerful stuff. Believe that.
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