Black Widow-Sacrifice (1970)

Often compared to Black Sabbath due to their name and the satanic lyrics on their first album, Black Widow had released an album under the name Pesky Gee in 1969 before changing their name. However, that comparison was rather unfair, because their style, unlike the gloomy and dark sounds of the band led by Tony Iommi and Ozzy Osbourne, was more boisterous, cheerful, and with proto-progressive elements, albeit with undeniably demonic lyrics. This trend would change on their next two albums, which wouldn't go in that direction, as their style remained within the confines of hard rock and more conventional progressive rock. Hailing from Leicester in the east of England, this band was founded by vocalist Kip Trevor, guitarist Jim Gannon, and keyboardist Zoot Taylor, with drummer Clive Box, bassist Bon Bond, and flautist/saxophonist Clive Jones completing the lineup. Even with their previous band, Pesky Gee, they had garnered considerable attention for their satanic concerts, where they simulated the sacrifice of a naked woman on stage. In 1970, they left Pye Records and signed with CBS, with whom they released their first album under the new name Black Widow. Musically, this debut release is not a funeral dirge despite its controversial lyrics; the melodies are uplifting, with hints of prog folk and some jazz elements, all filtered through the lens of progressive hard rock. The album opens with the progressive track "In Ancient Days", brimming with Hammond organ sounds, Mellotrons, and string instruments. The commercially oriented "Come To The Sabbat" was a surprising hit due to its sinister and diabolical lyrics. On the other hand, the pleasant and more earthy "Seduction" and the extensive and complex "Sacrifice" completed a superb work of the best proto-progressive metal of the early 70s. But from this point on, due to pressure from their own record label and certain very powerful and influential fundamentalist Christian groups, the band stopped including satanic lyrics in their subsequent works.