black sabbath

The original lineup of the legendary heavy metal band BLACK SABBATH — Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums) — has reunited and has begun work on a brand new album. The group's first studio effort in 33 years — the songwriting for which is already half complete — will be produced by Rick Rubin, who has previously worked with METALLICA, SLIPKNOT, SLAYER and SYSTEM OF A DOWN, among many others. The band hopes to begin recording the CD in January for a fall 2012 release via Vertigo/Universal Republic in the U.S. and Vertigo in all other territories. A world tour will follow, including an appearance at the U.K.'s Download festival on June 10, 2012.

BLACK SABBATH's reunion was officially confirmed a few minutes ago during a special announcement ceremony at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, California — the same venue where the band made its Los Angeles debut on November 11, 1970 (41 years ago), opening for ALICE COOPER. All four original members of the group attended the event, which was hosted by former BLACK FLAG frontman Henry Rollins.

"I was a very alienated young person," Rollins said, "and when I heard BLACK SABBATH, I realized my life had a soundtrack. I realized there were people out there using music to make great statements. When I heard 'Iron Man', high school became powerless over me. This is true outsider music."

The band credited Rubin's persistence for helping get them back in the studio. "He phoned us every five minutes," Iommi joked.

"It was the obvious choice," explained Osbourne of Rubin as producer. "I've known Rick for many years."

"It was time," said Osbourne of the reunion. "The timing was right." Iommi added: "It's now or never. We get along great. Everything's really good."

Osbourne went on to reveal that they've written "seven or eight" new songs for the album, which they plan to release at the end of next year.

Butler added that the new songs are "back to the old SABBATH style and sound. The stuff that Tony's been playing is absolutely brilliant."

Iommi said, "It's like putting on an old glove. It's fantastic."

Rubin, who was also present at the event, said: "We've been working on developing material and we're halfway into the writing process. It's inspiring hearing what's coming out."

SABBATH will return to Donington for the first time since 2005 as a U.K. festival exclusive, joining Saturday headliners METALLICA, who were confirmed yesterday and will be playing their seminal, self-titled "Black Album" in full.

"The reunion of the original lineup of BLACK SABBATH has been one of the most talked about stories of the year," says Live Nation's Andy Copping. "I am thrilled that the band will return to Donington Park next year to help us mark 10 years of the Download festival."

BLACK SABBATH also announced today the launch of BlackSabbath.com, the first-ever official BLACK SABBATH web site for all authorized BLACK SABBATH news. In addition, the band’s online presence will also be supported by social media via Facebook and Twitter — again, marking the band's first-ever foray into the social media world.

According to Guardian.co.uk, James McMahon, editor of U.K.'s Kerrang! magazine, insisted the reunion did not represent just another bunch of old-timers getting back together to cash in on their cult status, and predicted fans would feel the same way.

"Metal fans can be the most cynical people in the world," he said. "But the return of BLACK SABBATH — I don't think anyone thinks that's a bad thing.

"It's different because they announced they're making a record and that's really exciting. It doesn't feel weary in the way a lot of reunions of classic bands does.

"They are THE BEATLES of heavy metal. It all starts with BLACK SABBATH."

A three-and-a-half-minute reunion-announcement video can be seen below.

The Ozzy-fronted lineup of SABBATH hasn't toured since 2005 and last appeared together when they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006. They attempted to cut a new album — their first since 1978's "Never Say Die!" — with Rick Rubin in 1999, but the sessions fell apart after just a couple of songs and Osbourne turned his attention to his solo career. The Ronnie James Dio lineup reunited under the moniker HEAVEN & HELL in 2006 but split four years later, after Dio passed away.

Iommi told U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine that the four original members of BLACK SABBATH recently got together in a rehearsal room for the first time in years, adding, "[We] played some of the old stuff and to be together again was great. We're all on good terms and we're at a stage where we can play together again. It would be good if we could and I suppose it's the closest it's been to be able to do that."

Osbourne told Billboard.com last month that a reunion of the original BLACK SABBATH lineup was a "very, very strong possibility." He added, "It's in the very early stages, so we haven't recorded anything yet. If it works out, it'll work out. If it doesn't, I'll keep doing my thing."

The Birmingham Mail reported in August that the original SABBATH lineup had begun rehearsing and writing music in secret for a new album. The Mail based its story around remarks made by Iommi, who later said the comments were off the record and taken out of context. Iommi's manager, however, did not deny that a reunion was underway.

Speculation about a reunion was fueled later that month when Ozzy skipped the Hollywood premiere of the documentary about his life, "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne". Both his son Jack and daughter Kelly hinted at the time that their dad was "doing something that is very, very exciting."

Osbourne and Iommi last year amicably resolved their problems over the ownership of the BLACK SABBATH name and court proceedings in New York were discontinued.

Ozzy filed a lawsuit against Iommi in May 2009, claiming that Iommi illegally took sole ownership of the band's name in a filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Osbourne sued Iommi for a 50 percent interest in the "Black Sabbath" trademark, along with a portion of Iommi's profits from use of the name.

The Manhattan federal court suit also charged that Osbourne's "signature lead vocals" are largely responsible for the band's "extraordinary success," noting that its popularity plummeted during his absence from 1980 through 1996.

Lawyer Andrew DeVore argued that Osbourne signed away all his rights to the BLACK SABBATH trademark after he quit the band in 1979.

Osbourne's lawyer, Howard Shire, called that agreement a "red herring" that was "repudiated" when the singer rejoined in 1997 and took over "quality control" of the band's merchandise, tours and recordings.

So...Ozzfests 97, 99, 01, 04, and 05 meant nothing?! NOTHING?!

This is bigger than when Bobby Liebling didn't quit Pentagram!!

I didn't become a Sabbath fan until I met Draugr. I still listen to 'em with "green ears". I love it. I'd rather see a Sabbath tour than another Ozzfest.

My dad is a big Sabbath fan so I've been listening to them since I was a wee lass. I remember my brother hanging a photo of Ozzy in the play room when I was a kid and it terrified me. I wouldn't play in there unless my sister was in there too. The room itself was creepy enough and I was convinced that house was haunted.

i've loved 70's era sabbath since as far back as I can remember

never really gave anything after 'Never Say Die' a chance.

I have never listened to any Black Sabbath that didn't have Ozzy in the line-up. I have never heard Dio Sabbath, and I don't care to. This is awesome. I can't wait to hear the new shit!!!

i'm not even worthy to comment on this

Meh. I saw the Reunion Tour when it came to Grand Rapids in '99. It was really good, but also displayed what was about the last of any type of decent vocals from Ozzy. I saw him on the Merry Mayhem Tour in 2001 and he was spotty. 12 years later and the Reunion's being re-packaged again? I'm not holding my breath.

Ozzy's vocals have been pretty processed on the last two albums, so I'm not very hopeful on that front, though I'm pretty certain that the rest of the band will be on it.

FormalinDance wrote:

I have never listened to any Black Sabbath that didn't have Ozzy in the line-up. I have never heard Dio Sabbath, and I don't care to. This is awesome. I can't wait to hear the new shit!!!

GTFO here!! Go get yourself some Heaven and Hell STAT

As old as my ass is, the only chance I got to see Sabbath live was with Dio out front. One of the BEST live shows I've seen to date.

I was never into the Dio Sabbath. Just not my cup of tea.

So I take it you're not into any of the classic power metal bands either: Maiden, Priest, etc? Cuz , yeah Dio Sabbath is much more like that than the doomy Ozzy stuff (which I of course adore as well). Dio was an amazingly technical and talented vocalist and would sing over the riffs whereas Ozzy sang along them kinda, know what I mean?

\m/

still wish I could have seen Heaven & Hell though

KimmieRae70 wrote:

So I take it you're not into any of the classic power metal bands either: Maiden, Priest, etc? Cuz , yeah Dio Sabbath is much more like that than the doomy Ozzy stuff (which I of course adore as well). Dio was an amazingly technical and talented vocalist and would sing over the riffs whereas Ozzy sang along them kinda, know what I mean?

Yeah, not really although I have seen Priest live.

I agree that dio was an awesomely talented vocalist, just never got into any of his stuff
i dig the hell out of iron maiden though
judas priest not so much

mushroomleg wrote:

i'm not even worthy to comment on this

I EAT SHIT AND SLEEP SABBATH.
MY BLOOD TYPE IS BLACK SABBATH.
IT STARTS, CONTINUES, AND ENDS WITH BLACK SABBATH. PERIOD.

: :

TURN IT UP!!!!!!

REMEMBER, THIS IS 1970! NOBODY HAD EVER SEEN, EXPERIENCED, DARED TO DO,OR HEARD ANTHING LIKE THIS. WE ARE DESESITIZED TODAY. THIS FUCKED PEOPLE UP AND WAS BEYOND DISTURBING TO THE MUSIC WORLD OVER 40 YEAES AGO!!!!

THE DEVIL TRITONE

ACTUALLY NOT PARIS, FRANCE. It's really "Theatre 140" concert hall in Brussels Belgium.

TURN THIS SHIT UP

Fuck Yea

sabbath is the perfect start to any day

True fucking story. Nice posts, man!

man Sabbath to me is just one of those bands that when your baked you can always play one of their albums and it'll never disappoint ya.

enough material for a new album from the original lineup seems so overdue.