In a captivating recent interview with Australia’s Wall of Sound, legendary guitarist Kerry King of Slayer was posed an intriguing question: if the world were facing imminent destruction and he had to choose one Black Sabbath album to take aboard a spaceship for evacuation, which would it be? This question inevitably leads to a discussion about his favorite album from the iconic pioneers of heavy metal.

As King deliberates, he mentions, “I would take?,” clearly taking a moment to reflect, a sentiment that resonates with any devoted Sabbath fan confronted with such a difficult choice.

He explains the complexity of his decision, acknowledging, “It’s easy and it’s hard, because I’m a super [Ronnie James] Dio fan.” This highlights the ongoing debate among fans regarding the merits of both the Ozzy Osbourne and Dio-fronted eras of the band.

Ultimately, as he prepares for his upcoming headlining North American tour in January, King asserts, “But I would take Sabotage. There’s something about the vibe on that record that resonates deeply with me. It’s undeniably cool. While all of their albums have their unique appeal, this one stands out. Perhaps it’s the track ‘Symptom Of The Universe’ that does it for me. I can’t quite pin it down?it’s just nonstop badassery.” His choice underscores the album’s lasting impact on both him and the heavy metal genre.

READ MORE: Every Slayer Album Ranked From Worst to Best

Be sure to watch the full interview below to delve deeper into his insights.

Insights from Kerry King on Black Sabbath’s Iconic Album Sabotage

Reflecting back in 2015, King shared his thoughts with Loudwire about his five essential guitar albums, prominently featuring Sabotage once again.

He candidly expressed, “This was hard, picking just one Sabbath record. I almost copped out and picked We Sold Our Soul for Rock ?n? Roll, but I consciously avoided the greatest hits because that?s too easy.” This statement reveals the depth of his appreciation for Black Sabbath?s discography and his inclination towards a more profound selection.

King elaborated, “Sabotage is one of their heaviest records. From start to finish, it maintains a relentless intensity. Tracks like ‘Hole in the Sky’ and ‘Megalomania’ feature monster riffs that never cease to astonish me. If you genuinely want to grasp what a heavy riff is all about, these songs are essential listening. Then there’s Tony Iommi?what can you say? He possesses a unique style that is unparalleled. No one else in the music world sounds like him, and his riffs are nothing short of monumental.”

When King was asked to name his top 10 favorite metal albums in a 2017 feature for Rolling Stone, he once again included Sabotage, reaffirming its significant place in his musical journey.

Notably, in Rolling Stone‘s esteemed list of the 100 greatest metal albums, Black Sabbath‘s remarkable sixth album holds the impressive No. 32 position. Just ahead of it is Slayer’s own Seasons in the Abyss, which ranks at No. 31, showcasing the close ties between these two legendary bands in the heavy metal realm!