As Black Sabbath puts the finishing touches on 13, the group has released a preview video with comments about the reunion of original members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Ozzy Osbourne.
13 is their first studio work since Never Say Die, in 1978, which also featured co-founding drummer Bill Ward. Writing began last year in LA with producer Rick Rubin, but subsequently returned to their native UK when Iommi was stricken with cancer.
Ward, meanwhile, never officially rejoined after contract negotiations broke down. Black Sabbath has since appeared in a trio of celebrated reunion dates with Tommy Clufetos, the drummer from Osbourne’s solo band.
[SOMETHING ELSE! REWIND: Though Bill Ward is certainly Black Sabbath’s most celebrated drummer, the group has also had guys from Kiss, the Clash and ELO behind the kit.]
Rubin then suggested Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk to fill in for Ward on 13, which is set for release this June. So far, the band has released three song titles: “Age of Reason,” “End of the Beginning” and “God Is Dead.”
Black Sabbath has also announced new appearances in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, to come in April. Meanwhile, a video from this project is scheduled for release on Wednesday, further stoking expectations.
Butler, in the video, is quick to note that the band isn’t focusing on reliving past glories.
“If you try to live up to the expectations of the past album,” the bassist says, “then you just fail dismally.” Osbourne agrees, saying: “I want it to sound current but yet still have that Sabbath vibe, ya know.”
At the same time, Osbourne says he recognizes what his long-awaited return means to fans: “This Black Sabbath album is quite possibly the most important album of my career.”
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