the hard rock holy trinity

[classicrockdude]

Black Sabbath's Paranoid, Led Zeppelin IV, and Deep Purple's Machine Head are considered the three best hard rock albums of all time. Which one is your favorite? I would say Led Zeppelin IV, Because it rocks(the other two rock to)

[afterstasis]

definitely paranoid.

[back_blows]

Paranoid, followed by Machine Head.

[thedoorsdk]

Paranoid.
Though it's worth pointing out that none of those are the greatest hard rock albums, nor do they represent the best work of their respective artists.
In my opinion.

[classicrockdude]

Paranoid.
Though it's worth pointing out that none of those are the greatest hard rock albums, nor do they represent the best work of their respective artists.
In my opinion.

but, they were the most Influential albums by them.

[franticfish]

Live at Leeds...

From the poll it has to be Paranoid.

[My name is Fez]

I'm among the rare few here at the forums who prefer Zeppelin. So, Zeppelin IV.

[cherokeesam]

IV is definitely Zep's best, and I consider it the best of those three albums.

[Fizzeler]

Paranoid although for Deep Purple I would have chosen In Rock and I would add The Who's Live At Leeds as well

[thedoorsdk]

but, they were the most Influential albums by them.

I'm not really sure I'd agree with this either. They're certainly the most well-known, but I think Sabbath's influence stems largely from elements that were introduced on their first album. Led Zep IV is actually a bit of a regression for Zep after III, which (to me, at least) combined more diverse influences and was much more ambitious.
I mean, I'm not trying to get down on your poll or anything, because these are all great records (though I think IV is definitely in the bottom half of my personal list of favorite LZ albums). I just don't think any of these records are the definitive sound of these bands or the hard rock movement in general.