I'd be ok with this

1. Black Sabbath
2. Iron Man
3. War Pigs

It's funny, I've often credited War Pigs as being the first real example of the "metal epic", but you can actually say that about Black Sabbath just as much. It's so brilliantly put together - the bells and thunderstorm in the beginning, the epic chord that kicks off the song and introduces metal, the unexpected change of tempo at the end....everything about this song was infinitely copied down the road.
If we are indeed using lasting popularity, initial impact, and influence as criteria, then nothing dethrones Black Sabbath from #1.

Could go either way on Iron Man and War Pigs I guess. Dont really care cause I dont enjoy them nearly as much as Black Sabbath.

Using the criteria on all three of them it would go

Popularity: Iron Man > War Pigs > Black Sabbath
Impact: Black Sabbath > Iron Man > War Pigs
Influence: Black Sabbath > War Pigs > Iron Man, though this one is arguable

So yeah, JRA's assessment is right.

What assessment?

By that, Black Sabbath takes both of them.

Try reading.

JRA, a big FUCK YES to Megalomania, I will always consider it Sabbath's masterpiece and its my favorite song of theirs easily.
But I dont think it can make the list going by this criteria.

Children Of The Grave can definitely replace Sweet Leaf though.

And I'm still thinking Fairies Wear Boots could as well...

1. Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath)
2. Iron Man (Paranoid)
3. War Pigs (Paranoid)
4. NIB (Black Sabbath)
5. Paranoid (Paranoid)
6. Symptom of the Universe (Sabotage)
7. Heaven and Hell (Heaven and Hell)
8. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath)
9. Children of The Grave (Master of Reality)
10. Into the Void (Master of Reality)

You know, I'm thinking Megalomania could replace Heaven & Hell. I think the comeback they made with Dio really can be regarded for the whole album rather than one particular song, especially since Heaven & Hell was not the first single.

That looks perfect now.
Re: Megalomania.....eh I dunno. I would love to see it there more than anyone, but I cant see any detectable influence or impact (or even popularity for that matter). Though if these lists were based purely on 'badassery', it would be the undisputed #1 without question.

Heaven & Hell probably has the best lyrics of any Sabbath song, and it IS widely acclaimed and a respected in general.
As much as I'm in love with Megalomania, I dont think I've ever heard anyone besides myself mention it.

Megalomania has no impact, no influence, and no popularity.

Very well.

Do you really need to change the lists of the most important artists? Because it took forever to get an agreement on them in the first place.

Talk to them, not me.

Anyone think Madness of an Architect could make the High On Fire list? There's a lot of killer songs on the new album.

Homicidal Suicidal > Breadfan. It was the only thing that could compete with Sabbath at the time for sheer heaviness, and is actually one of the first "multi-part" metal epics.
AND, how the hell can you not have The Author in here? Talk about a fuckin epic tune....

That's a actually a good point, and Homicidal is more of their signature song, whereas Breadfan is more retroactively associated with them through Metallica.

Yea I don't know shit about Budgie, but I always felt Breadfan was kinda high.

1. Napoleon Bona (Bandolier)
2. Homicidal Suicidal (Budgie)
3. I Turned to Stone (Nightflight)
4. Hot as a Docker's Armpit (Squawk)
5. Breadfan (Never Turn Your Back on a Friend)
6. I Can't See My Feelings (Bandolier)
7. Parents (Never Turn Your Back on a Friend)
8. Crash Course in Brain Surgery (In for the Kill)
9. Panzer Division Destroyed! (If Swallowed Do Not Induce Vomitting)
10. Wildfire (If Swallowed Do Not Induce Vomitting)