After Forever (song)

"After Forever" is a song by English heavy metal band Black Sabbath. The song was released on their third studio album Master of Reality and as the B-side to the single "Sweet Leaf" in 1971. The lyrics were written by Geezer Butler while the music was written by Tony Iommi.

History
Although the album jacket credits Iommi alone as the composer of this song (including lyrics), the Black Sabbath Black Box Set refutes the album jacket credit and gives credit to this song (along with "Orchid" and "Embryo") to all four band members in keeping with their wishes to remain a democratic band.

The lyrics of "After Forever," written by Geezer Butler, who was brought up strictly Catholic, focus entirely on Christian themes. At the time, some such as religious and conservative groups viewed Black Sabbath as Satanists (which the band had consistently denied) due to their dark sound, image and lyrics, with occultism and horror as a recurring theme.

Covers

 * "After Forever" has been covered by Biohazard for Nativity in Black, a Black Sabbath tribute album.
 * Aurora Borealis for Hell Rules: Tribute to Black Sabbath, Vol. 2.
 * Deliverance on their 1992 album What a Joke.
 * Shelter on their 1992 album Quest for Certainty.
 * Frost Like Ashes on their debut EP Pure As the Blood Covered Snow.
 * Troglodyte Dawn with rewritten lyrics and titled "Forever After" on their 2003 debut album Troglodyte Dawn.
 * Stryper have recorded the song for their 2015 album Fallen. It was mistakenly released early as a free download for people pre-ordering the album.

Personnel

 * Ozzy Osbourne – vocals
 * Tony Iommi – guitar, synthesizer
 * Geezer Butler – bass guitar
 * Bill Ward – drums