Top 10 Covers Of Black Sabbath Songs

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Our top 10 covers of Black Sabbath songs present a list of wonderful versions of songs that were originally, and are always, known as Black Sabbath classics. For this list, we were careful to pay tribute to the band by choosing only renditions that maintained the same savage style. There have been countless artists who have covered Black Sabbath songs, and some have done so in ways that could make you cringe. There was just no way we were going to include a remake of a song like “War Pigs” as a ballad, dance number, or anything silly like that. We stuck with heavy metal bands who pay tribute in their own special way.

Black Sabbath was first formed in 1968 in Birmingham, England. The original lineup consisted of the late Ozzy Osbourne on lead vocals, Geezer Butler on bass, Bill Ward on drums, and the phenomenal Tony Iommi on guitar. The first album, entitled Black Sabbath, with its spine-chilling cover, was released in 1970. That same year, the band followed up with Paranoid. One year later, in 1971, they released Master of Reality. Over time, the band would release nineteen studio albums, with multiple lineup changes throughout their tenure.

Most notably, these changes occurred with their frontman. Originally, Ozzy Osbourne was the lead singer, but Ronnie James Dio replaced him in 1979. Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan also took the lead singer role from 1982 to 1984 before Ronnie James Dio returned. Many years later, Ozzy Osbourne returned for a reunion. The original Black Sabbath lineup reunited one final time for the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5, 2025. Sadly, Ozzy Osbourne died on July 22, 2025, at age 76. This is not a comprehensive list of the band’s members; we’ve already covered that on the site. This article is about some of the most fun covers ever done. I hope you enjoy this one!

# 10 – Type O Negative – Paranoid

We open up this fun list with our first cover, done by the band Type O Negative. We love this band; they are so original-sounding, and their version of “Paranoid” is just brilliant. The song was released on the band’s second album, The Origin of the Feces. It wasn’t included on the original issue but was released as a bonus track on the 1994 reissue.

The band at the time featured Peter Steele on lead vocals and bass, Kenny Hickey on backing vocals and electric guitar, Josh Silver on backing vocals and keyboards, and Sal Abruscato on drums, although Johnny Kelly played drums on this track. This is a great way to start off this list.

# 9 – Overkill – Changes

Continuing with our Black Sabbath covers list, we turn to the band Overkill. Their cover of “Changes” was released on the band’s 1999 album Coverkill. This was an album that consisted entirely of covers, as the title suggests. The band covered songs by groups that influenced them, such as Deep Purple, Judas Priest, and, of course, Black Sabbath.

This was the band’s first release with new guitar player Dave Linsk. Additionally, in the band at the time were Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth on lead vocals, D.D. Verni on bass, Joe Comeau on rhythm guitar, and Tim Mallare on drums. The Black Sabbath song “Changes” was originally released on Vol. 4.

# 8 – Ministry – Iron Man

As we rock along on this list, we turn to a fantastic version of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man.” This version was done by the industrial metal band Ministry. It was released on the album Undercover. The album was released in 2010 and features Ministry and Co-Conspirators covering songs by some of their most influential artists, such as ZZ Top, AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix, Ted Nugent, and more. This cover is actually the opening track on the album.

Undercover was produced by Al Jourgensen and featured performers including Jourgensen, Mike Scaccia, Paul Raven, Tommy Victor, and Liz Constantine. Their unique industrial-metal twist on “Iron Man” brings a fresh and powerful take on this Black Sabbath classic.

# 7 – Anthrax – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

Next on our list is a powerful rendition of “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” by the thrash metal band Anthrax. This cover was released on their 1987 EP I’m the Man. Anthrax, known for their aggressive and fast-paced style, added their own energetic twist to this Black Sabbath classic, making it a standout track on the EP.

The lineup for Anthrax at the time included Joey Belladonna on vocals, Scott Ian on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Dan Spitz on lead guitar, Frank Bello on bass, and Charlie Benante on drums. Their version of “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” retains the intensity of the original while infusing it with Anthrax’s signature thrash metal sound.

# 6 – System Of A Down – Snowblind

Continuing with our list of great Black Sabbath covers, we turn to System of a Down’s version of “Snowblind.” This cover was released on the 2000 compilation album Nativity in Black II, which features various artists paying tribute to Black Sabbath. System of a Down’s take on “Snowblind” infuses the song with their distinctive style, characterized by heavy guitar riffs, dynamic vocals, and intense energy. The lineup for System of a Down at the time included Serj Tankian on vocals, Daron Malakian on guitar and backing vocals, Shavo Odadjian on bass, and John Dolmayan on drums.

# 5 – Godsmack – Sweet Leaf

At the halfway point on our top 10 Black Sabbath covers list is the song “Sweet Leaf” by Godsmack. This cover was released on the 2000 tribute album Nativity in Black II, which features various artists paying homage to Black Sabbath. Godsmack’s version of “Sweet Leaf” maintains the heavy, gritty feel of the original while adding their own modern rock edge. The lineup for Godsmack at the time included Sully Erna on vocals, Tony Rombola on guitar, Robbie Merrill on bass, and Tommy Stewart on drums. Their powerful rendition of “Sweet Leaf” captures the essence of Black Sabbath’s influence while showcasing Godsmack’s own hard-hitting style.

# 4 – Pantera – Hole In The Sky

At the number four spot on our top 10 Black Sabbath covers list is the song “Hole in the Sky” by Pantera. Pantera recorded the cover around the time of Reinventing the Steel, and it was later included on the 2003 compilation The Best of Pantera: Far Beyond the Great Southern Cowboys’ Vulgar Hits!. Pantera’s version of “Hole in the Sky” brings their signature groove-metal sound to the classic track, delivering a powerful, aggressive interpretation. Pantera is such a cool band; no one sounds like Pantera. The lineup included Phil Anselmo on vocals, Dimebag Darrell on guitar, Rex Brown on bass, and Vinnie Paul on drums.

# 3 – Sepultura – Symptom of the Universe

At the number three spot on our top 10 Black Sabbath covers list is the song “Symptom of the Universe” by Sepultura. This cover was released on the 1994 tribute album Nativity in Black: A Tribute to Black Sabbath and was later included as bonus and compilation material in Sepultura’s catalog. Sepultura’s version of “Symptom of the Universe” will blow your mind. Listen to the sound of Igor’s drums. The rolls that he performs are off the charts. Andreas Kisser’s guitar is tight, clean, but oh so beautifully angry. This is an amazing killer version. The lineup for Sepultura at the time included Max Cavalera on vocals and rhythm guitar, Andreas Kisser on lead guitar, Paulo Jr. on bass, and Igor Cavalera on drums. The ending is very surprising.

# 2 – Fates Warning – The Sign of the Southern Cross

At the number two spot on our top 10 Black Sabbath covers list is “The Sign of the Southern Cross” by Fates Warning. This cover was recorded for the Ronnie James Dio tribute album Holy Dio: A Tribute to the Voice of Metal, released in Europe in 1999 and in the United States in 2000. Fates Warning’s version of this classic track is a powerful and haunting interpretation that stays true to the original while showcasing the band’s progressive metal brilliance.

The Fates Warning lineup during this period included Ray Alder on vocals, Jim Matheos on guitar, Mark Zonder on drums, and Joey Vera on bass. Their rendition of “The Sign of the Southern Cross” captures the epic and atmospheric qualities of the original song, with Alder’s soaring vocals and Matheos’s intricate guitar work adding a new layer of depth and complexity. This cover is a testament to Fates Warning’s ability to honor Black Sabbath’s legacy while making the song their own.

# 1 – War Pigs – Gov’t Mule

We close out our top 10 Black Sabbath covers list with the song “War Pigs” by Gov’t Mule. This cover was recorded during Gov’t Mule’s New Year’s Eve 1998 concert at the Roxy in Atlanta and released in 1999 on Live… With a Little Help from Our Friends. Gov’t Mule’s rendition of “War Pigs” is an electrifying live performance that captures the raw energy and intensity of the original, while adding their own Southern rock flair.

The lineup for Gov’t Mule at the time included Warren Haynes on vocals and guitar, Allen Woody on bass, and Matt Abts on drums. Their powerful version of “War Pigs” features Haynes’s soulful vocals and fiery guitar solos, Woody’s thundering bass lines, and Abts’s dynamic drumming. This performance not only pays homage to Black Sabbath but also highlights Gov’t Mule’s exceptional musicianship and ability to bring new life to a classic track.

BLACK SABBATH STUDIO ALBUMS

Black Sabbath (1970)

Paranoid (1970)

Master of Reality (1971)

Vol. 4 (1972)

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)

Sabotage (1975)

Technical Ecstasy (1976)

Never Say Die! (1978)

Heaven and Hell (1980)

Mob Rules (1981)

Born Again (1983)

Seventh Star (1986)

The Eternal Idol (1987)

Headless Cross (1989)

Tyr (1990)

Dehumanizer (1992)

Cross Purposes (1994)

Forbidden (1995)

13 (2013)

For more on Black Sabbath, check out our 10 Best Black Sabbath Songs article, or explore other great Black Sabbath pieces on our site, such as 10 Most Underrated Black Sabbath Songs and Top 10 Black Sabbath Albums and Top 10 Black Sabbath Album Covers. For complete coverage of the band, check out our Complete List of Black Sabbath Songs from A to Z, Complete List of Black Sabbath Albums and Songs, and Complete List of Black Sabbath Band Members.

If you want to dig deeper into some of our more specific Black Sabbath pieces, check out our review of Paranoid: A Metal Masterpiece, our recap of Black Sabbath’s Lollapalooza Performance in 2012, and our Black Sabbath feature page.

Updated August 31, 2026.

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