Posts Tagged ‘Bill Ward’

Tony Iommi‘s lymphoma diagnosis may have stopped the reunited (and Bill Ward-less) Black Sabbath from touring for now, but it has not interfered with their creative output or their songwriting process. In a recent video chat with the NME.com, frontman Ozzy Osbourne revealed that the band has penned 15 new songs and even offered a tiny hint at the new album title.

“We’ve written about 15 songs so far,” the frontman stated. “Whether they all get on the album, I don’t know. We just keep on writing.” He also cryptically referenced the title, saying, “Next year, 2013, is a good clue to what we’re going to call the album.”

The original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward posted a statement threatening to withdraw from the band’s reunion plans due to a what he deemed a series of “unsignable” contracts. Now, the rest of the band has announced that they will proceed with their reunion plans with or without Ward in the lineup.
Black Sabbath’s other original members, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler, posted the following statement on their official website:

”We were saddened to hear yesterday via Facebook that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current Black Sabbath plans… we have no choice but to continue recording without him although our door is always open… We are still in the UK with Tony. Writing and recording the new album and on a roll… See you at Download!!!
- Tony, Ozzy and Geezer”

Black Sabbath have not announced any news regarding who will man the drums for their upcoming album and tour if Bill Ward does in fact decide not to return to the fold.

The classic line-up of Black Sabbath – singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward – has officially reformed and has started rehearsals for a tour and a possible new studio album.

Often cited as the most influential band in heavy metal history, the classic line-up of Black Sabbath hasn’t performed together since 2006. Much talk of a reunion has circulated in recent years (Osbourne stated recently that he wouldn’t rule out getting back together on one condition: if “Geezer will stop moaning”), but nothing concrete has happened, until now.