Do any subsequent Black Sabbath albums contradict these sentiments? Have you ever heard anyone from the band discuss these lyrics?
I have to admit, although I like some of their (early) stuff, I am not the world's biggest Black Sabbath fan, and frankly I was quite surprised when I came across the lyrics to "After Forever" years ago.
No lyrics come to mind that refute what they say in this song, at least in the Ozzy era, and this song was written by the guitar player, Tony Iommi, but sung by Ozzy. I think Ozzy toyed (operative word) with a "dark" image and became the addled "master of f***ing darkness" more as a solo artist.
And no, I have not heard any of the band discuss these particular lyrics, but I have heard Ozzy explain that they wanted to write "doomy" music to reflect the dreary hopelessness of their Birmingham, England hometown and the generally pervasive dread of war (particularly nuclear) and armageddon that permeated their generation at the time. In one of their most famous songs they sang "Generals gathered in their masses/Just like witches at black masses." Clearly, generals, witches, and black masses are not viewed upon favorably.
I am not an apologist for Ozzy by any means but just thought many would be surprised to read the lyrics.
You can check out more lyrics
HERE. Some of them are surprising.
Yep, War Pigs is the opposite of Satanic. I don't agree with the message, as I think war is unfortunately necessary sometimes, but it's clear that Sabbath equates Satan with things they oppose.
Now in darkness, world stops turning
Ashes where the bodies burning
No more war pigs have the power
Hand of God has struck the hour
Day of judgement, God is calling
on their knees, the war pigs crawling
Begging mercy for their sins
Satan, laughing, spreads his wing