After 40 years you would have thought that there was nothing left for Black Sabbath to accomplish but last Wednesday the heavy-metal band did something they had never done before, appear on the top of Billboard's Top 200 album chart in the United States, according to the Christian Science Monitor.
Despite being enormously influential and essentially creating the genre of heavy-metal "13," which is actually the 19th album by the band, is the first Sabbath album to make it to the top of the charts in the U.S. Prior to the success of "13" the band had topped out at number eight with 1971's "Master of Reality." The band had reached number one in the United Kingdom with 1970's "Paranoid," according to Billboard.
The album knocked the new album by Queens of the Stone Age, a band that has obviously been influenced by Black Sabbath, out of the number one spot.
A statement from the band showed that they were truly awed by their accomplishment.
"The news is absolutely amazing - we couldn't have imagined this would happen," guitarist Tony Iommi said. "We have the greatest fans."
Ozzy Osbourne, the front man for the band turned reality star, considered the band's appearance at the top of the charts to be one a highlight of his career.
"There have been so many amazing highlights in our long career," Osbourne said. "To finally have our first #1 album in the U.S. is another incredible milestone for Black Sabbath. Thank you to all of our fans for their support and loyalty."
Black Sabbath is far from considering retirement as their ascent to the top of the charts should show, they plan to spend the next year on the road supporting the new album starting with a nationwide tour that kicks off at the end of July.
Black Sabbath should probably take the time to cherish this week at the top as they aren't likely to stay there for long, Kanye West's long awaited "Yeezus" is poised to take the crown.
