Producer Rick Rubin recognized something about Black Sabbath. It wasn’t just that none of their inheritors make records like the band’s earliest triumphs anymore. Even the co-founding members themselves hadn’t lately.
The results of their time together, to be released this month as 13, seem to confirm that his loose, back-to-basics approach was a success.
[SOMETHING ELSE! REWIND: Check out Nick DeRiso’s first-listen review of the new Black Sabbath reunion record ’13’, which he calls a triumph of brotherhood and evil-ass coolness.]
“It’s an album,” Rubin says in the attached video, “that the bands who have come in their wake can’t really make. What Black Sabbath does is a lost art.”
He got there by stripping away the artifice that had accumulated over the years since Ozzy Osbourne departed after 1978’s Never Say Die. This new Black Sabbath project is the first to feature Ozzy, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler since then.
“Tony’s been used to layering like six or seven or eight tracks of guitar,” Butler says. “Rick convinced him to doing it the way he used to do it, and have a single guitar.”
The songs that have emerged so far pack a visceral impact that’s been missing from their work for some time.
“If we’re getting that kind of physical response that we’ve historically gotten from Black Sabbath,” Rubin adds, “then we’re doing the right thing.”
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- Angell & Crane, “Himalayan Dial-Up” from ‘Angell & Crane’ (2024): Video Premiere - November 22, 2024
- Michael Attias, “Avrils” from ‘Quartet Music Vol. II- Kardamon Fall’ (2024): Streaming premiere - October 11, 2024
- Bryn Roberts, “Aloft” from ‘Aloft’ (2024): Video Premiere - September 20, 2024
Dio was great … Ozzy … well … not so great now … Iommi and Butler were and always will be the real Black Sabbath … Thank you for the music, guys!
As for the drumming part – Bill was not the best of them … Vinny, Bobby, and Cozy were a lot better technically … Back in 2007 – 2009 when Heaven and Hell ruled the metal world no one was missing Bill … or Ozzy for that matter …
Let’s face it.
While I’ve accepted the band has had to carry on w/o Bill and will buy the album and support the band, if you think Vinny, Bobby and Cozy are “technically better” than BIll Ward, then I think you fail to understand the full scope of the drums. Bill Ward is a one in a million drummer who has a more unique feel than just about anyone and wild chops to go with it.
Inevitably the potshot at Ozzy. Sigh.
I for one, and literally 8 or more million others, love the man. In, and out, of Black Sabbath.
The original four are Sabbath. That said, I can understand (and respect) the decision at this time to record with a different drummer. I agree with Jim – there is not a more magical drummer in my mind than Bill Ward. End of subject.
Can we just love this band without having to have RJD come into the fray (and the inevitable pot shot at Ozzy)? I’m very positive that he would feel no honor at having his name constantly tied to negativity towards Ozzy. Especially not now, from the other side, where things are far more in perspective.
I love the fact that we are getting a new album from these men. I have loved them since 1976, and it’s a HUGE life dream to hold another album in my hands.
Love you guys!!!! Be seeing you in Arizona soon <3