I think it's fair to say that Black Sabbath is the 4th greatest metal album so I think it's current placement is fine.

Fourth behind what? That not necessarily a disagreement, I just don’t think it’s nearly that indisputable. Black Album is the most popular, but I’d hardly say it’s the greatest.

Oh so then actually 5th behind Paranoid, The Black Album, Master Of Puppets And Number Of The Beast. Though as a metal album it's probably fourth. (with the black album moving down).

Again, take it with a grain of salt but acclaimedmusic ranking for these metal albums:

160. Paranoid
175. Master of Puppets
220. The Black Album
323. Reign in Blood
429. Number of the Beast
497. Black Sabbath

Yeah, Black Sabbath should appear soon but I wouldn't place it in the top 100. Its influence is HUGE, but it probably has to be divided between the s/t and Paranoid, which was way more popular and thus expanded the sound more. And considering lots of albums beat it in popularity and acclaim I don't think it's being underrated.

I was talking about Paranoid as much as s/t.

Well, which albums do you see Paranoid beating? Most of the albums ahead have a big lead in popularity and acclaim, while also having influence of their own.

I haven’t made it a secret that I think these list tilt much too far I tosales.

And I tend to agree, as I've expressed before, but if you look at the albums directly above Paranoid the only one whose biggest strenght is huge popularity is Rumours.

Plus we ranked Paranoid above the likes of Ziggy Stardust, There's A Riot Goin' On, The Velvet Underground & Nico, all of which are monumental albums in their own right, so I think it's in a good company.

#101-110:

101. Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) - Red Hot Chili Peppers
102. Daydream Nation (1988) - Sonic Youth
103. The Number Of The Beast (1982) - Iron Maiden
104. The Queen Is Dead (1986) - The Smiths
105. Machine Head (1972) - Deep Purple
106. Live at Leeds (1970) - The Who
107. Black Sabbath (1970) - Black Sabbath
108. Harvest (1972) - Neil Young
109. (What's the Story) Morning Glory (1995) - Oasis
110. Ready To Die (1994) - The Notorious B.I.G.

101. What's The Story (Morning Glory)
102. The Queen Is Dead
103. Harvest
104. Blood Sugar Sex Magik
105. Ready To Die
16. Number of The Beast
17. Daydream Nation
18. Machine Head
19. Live At Leeds
20. Black Sabbath

So let's try this:

101. (What's the Story) Morning Glory (1995) - Oasis
102. The Queen Is Dead (1986) - The Smiths
103. Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) - Red Hot Chili Peppers
104. Ready To Die (1994) - The Notorious B.I.G.
105. Harvest (1972) - Neil Young
106. Daydream Nation (1988) - Sonic Youth
107. The Number Of The Beast (1982) - Iron Maiden
108. Machine Head (1972) - Deep Purple
109. Live at Leeds (1970) - The Who
110. Black Sabbath (1970) - Black Sabbath

Fine by me.

Maybe I'm underrating Blood Sugar Sex Magik's influence but isn't it kinda high, and in greater company? It seems all of those albums are more influential, and most are also more acclaimed. And there are albums still to appear, like In the Court of the Crimson King, or Stand! (right above it on the 1969 list), which beat it in influence and acclaim.

Also, I agree with Bruce on Like a Virgin having little lasting popularity, but considering its HUGE initial popularity and its influence it shouldn't be underrated.