Into The Void by Black Sabbath
In 1971, Black Sabbath released Master of Reality, a landmark album that intensified their heavy, riff-driven sound. "Into the Void" kicks off with a crushing, forward-driving riff by Tony Iommi that instantly signals the album's no-nonsense doom groove. The track showcases Sabbath's relentless pace and crunchy power chords, while staying memorable enough to become a fan favorite and a staple of classic rock radio.
Lyrically, Geezer Butler roams cosmic voids and existential themes, while the guitar-work lays down a relentless, low-end groove anchored by Iommi's signature power-chord riffing. The song's heavy, hypnotic feel helped define Sabbath's heavier era and has influenced countless doom and stoner bands. The recording captures the band's brutal, groove-first approach that rewards precise timing and a firm right-hand attack.
🎸 Want to know the techniques, practice tips, and lesson details? Scroll below the lesson!
What You'll Learn
In this lesson you will learn the driving main riff built on low, palm-muted power chords, the verse groove, and how to transition into the heavier chorus. We'll break down the rhythm section concepts, show you how to time the down-strokes for a percussive attack, and provide a step-by-step practice plan: start by playing a simplified two-chord version to lock in the groove, then add the full riff with a metronome at a slow tempo, and finally bring it up to speed along with a backing track to capture the original feel. We'll also address tricky parts: keeping the palm muting tight across long phrases, staying synchronized with the bass line, and maintaining a strong, staccato attack without muddying the chords.
Intermediate — prior skills like power chords, palm muting, and steady down-picking help a lot.
🎸 Techniques Used
Practice Tips
- 💡Slow it down: start at a comfortable tempo with a two-chord simplification, focusing on clean palm muting and precise down-picks.
- 💡Lock in with the bass: practice along with a bass track or drum/bass backing track to feel the groove in the pocket.
- 💡Mind your muting: keep your picking hand close to the bridge to avoid string noise and maintain a crisp, staccato attack.
More Black Sabbath Tab Lessons
Want More Lessons?
Subscribe to DadRock Tabs on YouTube for free guitar and bass lessons every week!
Subscribe – It's Free!💬 Comments & Ratings
Loading comments...