What was the first Black Sabbath album recorded in the United States? Vol. 4 was the first. The band recorded it at Record Plant in Los Angeles in May and June 1972.
Vol. 4 followed Black Sabbath, Paranoid, and Master of Reality, all recorded in the United Kingdom. The move to Los Angeles gave the group access to an American studio during a period of rapidly growing success. The album was released on September 25, 1972, and was produced primarily by the band, with guitarist Tony Iommi taking a leading production role.
The album is often remembered for both its heavy riffs and its experiments, including “Changes,” “FX,” and “Laguna Sunrise.” A common mix-up is assuming the title refers to a fourth volume in an established series; there were no earlier Volumes 1, 2, or 3. The record was originally intended to be called Snowblind, after its song about cocaine, but the label rejected that title.
Vol. 4 also became a major commercial success, reaching No. 13 in the United States and eventually earning platinum certification there.