Into the Void

From Birth to Black Sabbath—And Beyond

By: Geezer Butler

Narrated by: Geezer Butler

A rollicking, effusive, and candid memoir by the heavy metal musician and founding member of Black Sabbath, covering his years as the band’s bassist and main lyricist through his later-career projects, and detailing how one of rock’s most influential bands formed and prevailed.

With over 70 million records sold, Black Sabbath, dubbed by Rolling Stone “the Beatles of heavy metal,” helped create the genre itself, with their distinctive heavy riffs, tuned down guitars, and apocalyptic lyrics. Bassist and primary lyricist Geezer Butler played a gigantic part in the band’s renown, from suggesting the band name to using his fascination with horror, religion, and the occult to compose the lyrics and build the foundation of heavy metal as we know it.

In Into the Void, Butler tells his side of the story, from the band’s beginnings as a scrappy blues quartet in Birmingham through the struggles leading to the many well-documented lineup changes while touring around London’s gritty clubs (Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, and The Who makes notable appearances!), and the band’s important later years. He writes honestly of his childhood in a working-class family of seven in Luftwaffe-battered Birmingham, his almost-life as an accountant, and how his disillusionment with organized religion and class systems would spawn the lyrics and artistic themes that would resonate so powerfully with fans around the world.

Into the Void reveals the softer side of the heavy metal legend and the formation of one of rock’s most exciting bands, while holding nothing back. Like Geezer’s bass lines, it is both original, dramatic, and forever surprising.

©2023 Geezer Butler (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

The iron man

I couldn’t stop listening. Geezer provided great detail of the story of my favorite band. Will listen again.

Brothers of Doom

From Ozzy to Iommi, its a struggle to finish line cuz its so good! Geezer mind is sharp and intact.

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

Great stories behind all the Sabbath albums, tours, and lineups that Geezer was involved in. Definitely recommend the audio, as his laid back speaking manner and accent give the book a personal feel that you wouldn't get with a hired gun. Out of the all the Sabbath books (by members and otherwise), this is hands down the best - although Geezer is clearly wrong in thinking the Born Again album cover is horrible. That quibble aside, horns high for Mr. Butler!

Probably the best rock n roll biography I’ve ever read

I’ll be listening to nothing but Sabbath, Dio, Heaven & Hell, GZR, etc… for the foreseeable future! Raw, real, heartfelt, humorous and tragic; my man Geezer says it all here!

Truly insightful, realistic view into one of the most important, musical acts ever

I love that geezer Butler took the time to write this book. He always seemed to be one of the people who wasn’t as out there in the band and comparisons to Ozzy Osbourne, or Tony Iommi. The only other voice we need to hear from now is Mr. Bill Ward. I love that this book seems like an every day middle-class guy who just happened into one of the most sensational things that would ever happen to a person by way of hard work, of course, and acknowledging his mistakes as he grew older. Cheers to you geezer

Geezer! Really enjoyed his reading.

Geezer. His reading was excellent. The story was from the heart. Thank you for the great music memories!

An easy read, and well thought out

Geezer was my favorite member of Black Sabbath growing up in the late 60s to mid 70s. Around 1978 or so, I stopped listening to them because they had become (IMHO) irrelevant. After Ozzie left, occasionally I would hear a song that intrigued me.

This book took me through my childhood, and was very interesting to listen to. The fact that Geezer narrated it was a huge bonus. If you were a fan of Black Sabbath, you probably will enjoy it. I love the fact that he grew up Roman Catholic, and still subscribes to a higher power.

eye opening

Love that the artist took the time to read it himself. Learned alot about Sabbath.

Legend

A legendary tale told by an absolute unit of a man. So much respect. I’ll continue to improve my bass playing in tribute. \,,/

Fantastic story told by author

I am not a Black Sabbath fan but love this book. The journey from scrappy lads to rock star legends is inspiring, eye opening and both tragic and hilarious at the same time.