Black Sabbath

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Take me through the centuries to supersonic years
Electrifying enemy is drowning in his tears
All I have to give you is a love that never dies
The symptom of the universe is written in your eyes
Yeah! Yeah!

[Verse 2]
Mother Moon, she’s calling me back to her silver womb
Father of creation takes me from my stolen tomb
Seventh Advent unicorn is waiting in the skies
A symptom of the universe, a love that never dies
Yeah! Yeah!

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
Take my hand, my child of love, come step inside my tears
Swim the magic ocean I’ve been crying all these years
With our love, we’ll ride away into eternal skies
A symptom of the universe, a love that never dies
Yeah! Yeah!

[Instrumental Break]
[Guitar Solo]
[Outro]
Woman child of love’s creation
Come and step inside my dreams
In your eyes, I see no sadness
You are all that loving means
Take my hand, and we’ll go riding
Through the sunshine from above
We’ll find happiness together
In the summer skies of love

Black Sabbath, one of the most important bands in the history of heavy metal music, released their sixth studio album in 1975, titled "Sabotage". The album's eighth song, "Symptom of the Universe", is widely considered a proto-thrash metal song, and it has influenced many thrash metal bands since its release.

The song's lyrics are based on a dream that Geezer Butler, the band's bassist and primary lyricist, had. The dream included creatures from outer space coming to Earth to take humans as slaves and destroy the planet.

About Symptom of the Universe

"Symptom of the Universe" is a prime example of the influence that Black Sabbath had on the development of heavy metal music. The song starts with an incredibly aggressive guitar riff that sets the tone for the rest of the track. Guitarist Tony Iommi's mastery of the instrument is on full display here, as the riff is technically challenging and unforgettable.

The incredible pace and intensity of the song are responsible for its classification as a proto-thrash metal track. This classification stems from the fact that the song isn't quite thrash metal, but the elements present in "Symptom of the Universe" heavily influenced bands that came later, such as Metallica.

The song's structure and feel change drastically during the outro, with the inclusion of both acoustic guitar and piano. Ozzy Osbourne, the band's lead vocalist, takes the opportunity to showcase his vocal talent during this portion of the song.

The lyrics to "Symptom of the Universe" are among the more science-fiction based of Black Sabbath's catalog, with Geezer Butler describing a vivid dream he had. The dream includes terrifying creatures from outer space that come to Earth to take humans as slaves and ultimately destroy the planet.

Although the lyrics are highly focused on science fiction, there are many subtle political undertones in the song. This is particularly notable in the chorus, where Ozzy sings "Oh no, please, God, help me", perhaps representing the feeling of helplessness when faced with a powerful external force that's beyond human control.

The song's lyrics and structure make it an incredibly powerful piece of music even today, and it's a testament to the enduring influence that Black Sabbath has had on heavy metal music.

Conclusion

"Symptom of the Universe" is a timeless classic from one of the most influential bands in the history of heavy metal music. Its proto-thrash metal sound and science-fiction themes have influenced countless bands and musicians over the years, and it remains a favorite among Black Sabbath fans. Whatever your taste in music, this track is well worth a listen for its incredible musicianship and fantastic storytelling.

• Release Date: July 28, 1975
• Artist: Black Sabbath