As the world celebrates Black Sabbath,this is a chance to look at the times other musicians provided iconic covers of the band’s greatest songs. Of course, they’re known as one of the pioneers of metal,helping shape the genre in the 1970s. Their tunes from that era have become influential, which is why many artists feel connected to them.
Black Sabbath is one of the bands that illustratedwhat it means to be rock stars. They never feared challenging themselves, creating music that strayed from what others were doing. Even after years apart,Ozzy Osbourne returned to play with them againbecausethey understand how much they mean to generations of fans.
With the rich history the band possesses, it is not easy for any artist to cover one of their songs, but some have done so to resounding praise. This is because even with the smallest details,they have managed to make these songs sound like their own. In fact, one was so great that Osbourne called it the greatest cover.
10System Of A Down - Snowblind
This Is How You Make A Cover Your Own
System of a Down is one of the most unique sounding bands in the metal genre. In 1998, they released their debut album, beginning to make a name for themselves. Before their sophomore record in 2001,they participated in a special tribute to Black Sabbath released in 2000, calledNativity in Black II.
They were one of 12 bands that performed on this special record, and the song they chose was “Snowblind.” This tune originally came from Black Sabbath’s fourth studio album, Vol. 4, which was released in 1972. System of a Down transformed this song into their own version,adding the distinct sound that they have become known for.
9Type O Negative - Black Sabbath
This Was Peter Steele Coded
During their time as a band, Type O Negative were leaders in gothic and doom metal. With the distinct vocals of Peter Steele, they immediately stood out with everything they created. This was even truewhen they covered one of the most special Black Sabbath songs, “Black Sabbath,” a track from the iconic band’s 1970 debut.
Taking on a song with so much history would not have been easy for most, but Type O Negative made it work. They crafted a sound even darker to fit their style, with Steele ominously singing behind it. With the band no longer active following Steele’s death in 2010,this now serves as a special reminder of their capabilities.
8Corrosion Of Conformity - Lord Of This World
It Pays Tribute All While Highlighting The Band
In 1994, “Nativity in Black: A Tribute to Black Sabbath” debuted . Like the second record in 2000, this one also featured 12 artists. One of them was Corrosion of Conformity, a metal band that rose to prominence in the ’80s. For their cover of Black Sabbath’s “Lord of This World,“they did not stray too far from the original sound.
If you listen to both tracks, they sound very similar. Even their vocals match well with Ozzy Osbourne’s. While altering a tune can be a risk, creating one that is close to the original is too. However, Corrosion of Conformity pulled it off,making a fitting tribute to a band that laid the foundation for them and many others.
7Havok - Children Of The Grave
Thrash Metal Prevails
When Havok released their third studio album, Unnatural Selection, in 2013, it became significant for the band. It placed on four differentBillboardlistings, including ranking third on the Top Heatseekers chart. Among the highlights of the record wastheir cover of Black Sabbath’s 1971 song, “Children of the Grave,“which came fromMaster of Reality.
As a thrash metal band, Havok certainly put their own spin on the tune, turning things up a bit. Nonetheless, they still kept the essence of the song, remaining true to the original. This was a big opportunity for Havok and allowed them to share a moment,paying respect to the legendary band while also delivering an admired performance.
6The Cardigans - Iron Man
The Different Composition Makes The Words Pop
The Cardigans' third studio album, First Band on the Moon, released in 1996, changed everything for them. This album skyrocketed their popularity, thanks in part to their hit song, “Love Fool.” Additionally,this record is known for having several connections to Black Sabbath, as they honored them with a cover and quotations.
The cover they created was of the song “Iron Man.” They made this song entirely their own by changing the instrumentation and slowing things down. While this certainly made things different, it worked effectively as it made the words pop.Every line that Nina Persson sang stood out, making the lyrics connect in a way completely unique to the original.
5Megadeth - Paranoid
It’s Never Easy To Cover A Masterpiece
Of all the Black Sabbath songs that a band could cover, “Paranoid” may be the most difficult, as it is arguably their biggest track. However,this didn’t stop Megadeth, another pioneering band in metal that also has a rich history. One of the first noticeable things about the song is that it is slightly sped up to fit the band’s thrash style.
Additionally, there is no mistaking Dave Mustaine’s iconic voice. On this track, he shines, adding his own intricacies to the lyrics. Now, more meaning has been added to this cover asthe song has grown in significance. It is the final tune that Black Sabbath performed at their 2025Back to the Beginningevent, which honored their legacy.
4Metallica - Sabbra Cadabra
One Of The Greatest Metal Bands Made This Their Own
Over the course of their career, Metallica has become one of the biggest bands ever. However, no matter how big their name has grown, it has never stopped them from paying respect to other legends. In 1998, they did this once again, releasingGarage Inc.,a compilation album of covers they performed, including one Black Sabbath hit.
The tune was “Sabbra Cadabra,” which came from Black Sabbath’s fifth studio album, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. One of the cool things they did was blend Black Sabbath’s song “A National Acrobat” into the tune, which came from the same album. It was an interesting mixthat showcased the genius of Metallica.
3Soundgarden - Into The Void (Sealth)
This Performance Earned A Grammy Award Nomination
During their career,Soundgarden were nominated for eight Grammy Awards. One of those nominations wasafter they covered the Black Sabbath song “Into the Void.“This was another song that came from Black Sabbath’s third studio album, Masters of Reality. In fact, it holds the special distinction of being the longest track on the record.
Soundgarden’s version was titled “Into the Void (Sealth),” a small but noticeable addition to the original title. What the band maintained was the song’s length, keeping it over six minutes long.This helped preserve a key part of the tune’s identityand allowed the grunge pioneers to showcase every facet of their abilities.
2Pantera - Planet Caravan
Captivating Is The Perfect Word For This Rendition
Throughout Pantera’s discography, one of the highlights was their cover of Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan.” The song originally came from Black Sabbath’s sophomore record,Paranoid. As for Pantera’s version, they included it on their famedFar Beyond Drivenrecord,which ranked number one on theBillboard200. With this cover, Pantera didn’t alter the original.
It pays complete homage to the tune, while fitting perfectly with the band’s vibe. They had a few hits of their own reminiscent of this style, so it made sense to keep it authentic. The song now has an even more special connection to both bands, asPantera performed it atBack to the Beginning, adding a piece to its history.
1T-Pain - War Pigs
A Unique Take That Maintained The Songs' Essence
No one expected T-Pain to do a cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs,” but when he did, he became a sensation. So much so,Ozzy Osbourne tweeted that it was the best rendition he had heard. This wasan incredible compliment and highlighted the masterful performance by T-Pain, as it showcased another aspect of his brilliance as a performer.
Although T-Pain is known for his work in R&B and hip-hop,he fit right in with this heavy metal tune. His voice sounded great, and it matched well with Ozzy Osbourne’s original vocals. The instrumentals were phenomenal, and they captured all the groove that the song possesses. Now, anytime someone covers “War Pigs,” a new standard has been set.
