Iron Man – A March Into Heavy Metal History

If there is one song in heavy metal history that has stood the test of time it is this behemoth. A massive guitar riff and sci-fi, apocalyptic lyrics combine to make “Iron Man” an experience that transcends music – it’s a march into metal history.

Iron Man is the second single released from Black Sabbath’s 1970 album, Paranoid. The lyrical story tells of a metallic man who travels into the future and witnesses a global apocalypse. He tries to return to the present day to warn humans of what is about to happen, but on his way back he gets turned into iron by a magnetic storm. He then retaliates against the people he intended to save, bringing about the end of the world that he saw in his vision.

This iconic track is the perfect introduction to Black Sabbath, who are regarded as the founders of heavy metal and are a staple in any rock fan’s playlist. It’s a stomping number that features the classic riff that every metalhead knows and loves, bending up and down on an E string and being driven through distortion. It’s an unforgettable riff that has been heard in movies, TV shows and video games, making it a part of metal history.

When you hear the song, you are instantly drawn into its dark, foreboding world of apocalyptic horrors and technological destruction. Its imagery and symbolism are a perfect fit for a band whose members were fans of comic books and horror films. The song’s popularity also helped introduce the public to a comic book character named Iron Man, who became a hugely popular Marvel superhero.

In 2008, the movie Iron Man, starring Robert Downey Jr, was released and featured the song as its theme. The film also used the track for its teaser trailer and end credits. The song was also used in the trailer for Iron Man 2 and in the video game of the same name.

Although the song only reached #4 on the US charts, it was a hit in Britain where it stayed on the chart for eight weeks. It is interesting to note that the original Black Sabbath lineup didn’t play this song live until 1985 when they performed at Live Aid, reuniting for the first time since 1978. The band also played “Paranoid” and “Children Of The Grave” at this event. This song is also playable in the first Guitar Hero video game and has been a hit on YouTube, where it has over 100 million views. It’s an important song that has influenced many bands over the years and is still revered by metal heads today.