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SABBATH

OZZY OSBOURNE On New BLACK SABBATH Album: ‘It Worked Out Better Than Our Wildest Expectations’

Manos Spanos
Paul Lester of The Guardian recently conducted an inter view withBLACK SABBATH members Tony Iommi (guitar), Ozzy Osbourne (vocals) and Terry "Geezer" Butler (bass). A few excerpts from the chat follow below. On whether they believe in God: Butler: "I do when I'm on a plane — the first thing I do is say my prayers." Ozzy: "I've done a good job of trying to kill myself for 64 years. But something's kept me alive. I don't know if it's God, fate or whatever. I'm open-minded. But I don't believe in organized religion at all." On the few myths surrounding BLACK SABBATH, including the one aboutOzzy biting off the head of a live bat, which he had presumed was rubber, in 1982:
02 min read

BLACK SABBATH: Entire “13” Album Available For Streaming

Manos Spanos
"13", the first BLACK SABBATH record in 35 years to feature singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler all playing together, can be streamed in its entirety on the band's iTunes page. (Note: If the link leads you to another webpage, make sure to click "Open in iTunes" to hear the stream.) The CD is due out June 11 onVertigo/Republic. This marks BLACK SABBATH's return to Vertigo, their original label, and the group's first studio album together since 1978's"Never Say Die!" Details of the album's deluxe edition surfaced on April 19, with the band revealing that the eight-song effort will be accompanied by three bonus tracks called "Methademic", "Peace Of Mind" and "Pariah". Several versions of "13" are available for pre-order, including a standard CD, a double CD that includes a second disc of exclusive bonus audio, a heavyweight vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve and a "Super Deluxe Box Set" containing the double CD, the vinyl album, an exclusive DVD documentary on the band's reunion, 13 photographic prints and hand-written lyrics.
03 min read

BLACK SABBATH’s OSBOURNE On Split With WARD: ‘We Couldn’t Keep The Fans Waiting Any Longer’

Manos Spanos
BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne recently spoke to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine about "13", the first SABBATH record in 35 years to feature Ozzy, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler all playing together. "I've not been this happy about an album in years," Ozzy said. "I'm not trying to sell my home. If this record was just OK, I'd fucking say it. But honestly, hand on heart, it's one of the best things I've done in my entire life." Ozzy also offered some thoughts on the situation surrounding originalSABBATH drummer Bill Ward, who backed out of the band's reunion last year.
03 min read

BLACK SABBATH’s IOMMI Says He Will Probably Have To Get Cancer Treatment For Rest Of His Life

Manos Spanos
Guitar World magazine recently spoke to BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi about the making of the band's new album, "13" — the first in 35 years to feature Tony, singer Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Geezer Butler. Asked what it was like working with legendary producer Rick Rubin, who is notorious for being very "in and out" of the studio while records are being made, Iommi said: Honestly, I didn't quite know what to make of him at first. His whole idea [of pre-production] was, 'Write the song. Call me when you think it's ready.' So I would. Actually, I'd email him, because I couldn't phone him ... nobody phones him. So I'd email him: 'Do you want to come down tonight?' And he'd pop in, have a listen, go, 'Yeah, I like that,' or, 'I don't like it.' We wanted him to be more involved, like, 'Well, what about changing that, or putting that bit there, or go to the A,' or whatever. But he was this elusive guy that we never really saw. But when we started recording, he was there all the time... lying on the bed with the microphone. [laughs] Blimey, what a strange guy. [laughs] His way of working was he'd have us playing it live in the studio like we did on the first album. We'd play the song a couple times, then Rick would say, 'Can you do it again?' After we'd finish, Geezer would be sitting next to me, and I'd say, 'That sounded all right didn't it?' And he'd say, 'It was a good one.' And Rick would go, 'Do another one.' [laughs] So we'd do another one, and another one, and then Rick would go, 'I think we've got it, but do you want to try another one to see if you can better it?' Ozzy would be sitting in the booth going, 'Fucking hell, we got to do it again?' [laughs]Rick definitely pushed us." Iommi also spoke about how when BLACK SABBATH first met with Rick, the producer sat the guys in the band down and played them the firstSABBATH record. "I understood the point he was trying to make," Iommisaid. "He didn't want an exact copy of that album, but he wanted the vibe of that album. Like, what if this album was the follow-up to 'Black Sabbath'? What would we have done? It's hard to wipe out 40-odd years and forget all the things we've learned. But I understood what he meant as far as creating the same vibe that the first album had, which was quite raw and natural."
07 min read

OZZY OSBOURNE Is Doing ‘Incredibly Well’ In His Recovery Following Drug And Alcohol Relapse

Manos Spanos
BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne is doing "incredibly well" after relapsing into drug and alcohol abuse for 18 months, according to his wife and manager, Sharon. Ozzy admitted that he relapsed into drug and alcohol abuse in a statement posted by the BLACK SABBATH singer on April 15 on his Facebook page. He wrote: "For the last year and a half, I have been drinking and taking drugs. I was in a very dark place and was an aasshole to the people I love most, my family. However, I am happy to say that I am now 44 days sober. "Just to set the record straight, Sharon and I are not divorcing. I'm just trying to be a better person. "I would like to apologize to Sharon, my family, my friends and my bandmates for my insane behavior during this period... and my fans. God bless, Ozzy."
02 min read