Rhino High Fidelity Unleashes Black Sabbath Paranoid

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Rediscovering Black Sabbath’s Paranoid — Rhino High Fidelity Reissue Review

There’s something undeniably powerful about revisiting an album that shaped your youth — especially when it arrives in a form that breathes new life into every riff, every drum hit, and every eerie whisper. Rhino’s High Fidelity reissue of Paranoid by Black Sabbath does just that.

I first heard Paranoid back in the mid-70s, spinning it with friends, the room thick with smoke and teenage energy. That album was a portal — dark, heavy, immersive. Revisiting it now, decades later (and yes, sober), feels like reconnecting with a long-lost part of myself.

Pressing Details & Packaging

Rhino’s High Fidelity edition is a AAA (all-analog) cut, mastered by the legendary Kevin Gray and pressed at Optimal in Germany. As with the other Rhino High Fidelity releases, it comes in a sturdy, high-quality jacket — although, full disclosure, mine arrived with a dinged corner (ouch).

This is a limited edition of 5,000 copies, which, unsurprisingly, sold out on day one. If you missed out, don’t worry — Rhino will be repressing it in an unnumbered edition, just like they did with earlier High Fidelity releases. No need to pay inflated flipper prices — patience will reward you.

How It Sounds

Let’s get straight to it: this pressing delivers. I've been critical of some previous Rhino HiFi releases for lacking in deep bass or leaning too bright. But Paranoid avoids those pitfalls.

From the first moments of “War Pigs,” you know this record means business. The mastering is vivid, the soundstage is expansive, and the dynamics are spot-on. Played at volume (as it should be), it’s a relentless experience — the album grabs your turntable like it’s got an iron grip and doesn’t let go.

Kevin Gray’s mastering brings out textures and details I hadn’t noticed before — especially in the drums. They’re finally powerful, clear, and full of energy. The cymbals crash with authority, and Bill Ward’s playing feels alive again. The guitars are layered and detailed, and the bass — this time — goes deep and anchors the mix beautifully.

Track Highlights

• “Planet Caravan” surprised me the most. Previously a bit of a breather between the heavier cuts, this time it stands out with new clarity. The space, the subtle guitar, the delicate percussion — all of it shines.

• “Paranoid” itself feels like a freight train. Still slightly more compressed than the rest, but it grooves hard and the bass is satisfyingly deep.

• “Iron Man” impressed me more than I expected. It’s hard to bring freshness to a song so overplayed, but this cut does it — especially in the power of those opening drum hits.

• “Hand of Doom” delivers brooding atmosphere and dynamic shifts with real drama. It’s dark (lyrically and sonically), but beautifully rendered.

• “Rat Salad” is a percussive workout. Bill Ward fans, take note — this is a showcase, and it hits hard.

• “Fairies Wear Boots” makes for a fantastic closer, ending the ride with energy and groove.

Final Thoughts

This is, hands down, one of the best-sounding versions of Paranoid I’ve heard. It surpasses the murky digital Castle Sanctuary pressing I’ve had for years. While it may not topple rare Vertigo originals or the olive green Artisan, it’s far more accessible, affordable, and — crucially — in pristine condition.

At $40, this Rhino High Fidelity edition is a no-brainer for Sabbath fans, vinyl collectors, and anyone craving a visceral, dynamic listen. If your system leans bright, you might find it a touch on the vivid side — but for most setups, it’ll sing.

Rhino may have had a few missteps in this series, but Paranoid is a triumph. Highly recommended.