The Black Sabbath Appreciation Thread

Would love to see it happen, but for now, I'll continue to not hold my breath.....

Anyone given the new Sabbath album a listen?
Having my first listen now and it's great. Iommi proving once again he is the master of the riff. Geezer is an animal on the bass. His tone and playing are perfect and Brad Wilkes has done a awesome job aswell. Ozzy's vocals don't sound as "melodyned" as on recent recordings. More in tune with the early Sabbath records.
The production is back to basics but relevant for today, top class. I can understand why musicians put up with Rick Rubins craziness when these are the results.
I've a feeling this album will get a lot of plays this year.

Well said about Rick Rubin, Black Sabbath should've picked someone else to produce 13

Another Vol. 4 fanboy here, it was the first Black Sabbath album i bought,



My favourite song from Vol. 4,

The only era's of Black Sabbath i care about are the Ozzy & Dio years, with the Dio years just clinching it for me,

scudzilla wrote: »

Seems one of The Holy Grails has been found!!!!

Suggest you download it from YT before $harron gets her mits in it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6l0Co3EE6k

That's deadly!

Thanks for posting, scudz - superb!

Always had a soft spot for Headless Cross.

Sad to see "airing of dirty laundry in public" so to speak. Of course many fans want to see an all original line-up. I'm rather confused about people saying no Sabbath without Bill etc. when it managed to be Sabbath without Geezer and Ozzy.

Regardless; following on from issuing a statement about an unworking contract and his disappointment of not touring with Black Sabbath before they did the "13" Album & Tour. Bill Ward has chosen now to issue a new statement (Upon releasing a Solo album no less ).

Less than 24 hours later he actually got a response from Ozzy (or on his behalf over social media). Below is the views of both Bill and then Ozzy in reply....


[Bill Ward]

Dear Friends,
I hope you’re well and in good spirits. I have not made any public statements regarding my relationship with Black Sabbath since February 2012. Today, I want to address that relationship in this formal statement. Thank you.
I have neither severed nor discontinued my relationship with Black Sabbath, however, since 2012, the often inaccurate statements about me as a person and as a musician have caused me to be guarded and be especially detached emotionally and spiritually from Ozzy. His rhetoric above all has brought me the most discord. The continuing misguided information about me has established a necessity on my part to confront these issues. And now, with the imminent release of a new Bill Ward Band album, and the flurry of rumors about new Sabbath projects, I feel it appropriate to speak in a truthful and an un-cynical way.
There is always speculation about a true, original Sabbath lineup for the next tour or record. With a sad heart, I have to say I will not participate in any musical undertakings until a righting of the wrongs spoken against me has been achieved. I must admit, I have little to no expectations of this happening, but in the order of first things first, I’m looking for an honest accountability of all of Ozzy’s statements that I felt were untrue. I would want Ozzy to amend his opinions and exaggerations. I would want him to be forthcoming about his unrealistic viewpoints. And because I was chastised publicly, I would want him to amend publicly in his words, and not through an Ozzy representative, the nature of the wrongs. I would not want to continue on with him without this seemingly impassible dilemma being addressed. I don’t think previously strong relationships can remain strong after dispute by just sweeping the offensive stuff under the carpet, or by saying a puny sorry, or “oh, that’s all over now.” It doesn’t work like that for me. Righting of wrong works, and that’s what I want if I’m ever going to be his friend again.
Still undone and faraway is a “signable” contract. I would require a “signable” contract before moving one step toward a pathway that could lead to us all playing together again. I want a contract I can approve. That’s my truth. That’s my stand. I’ve listened to nothing but insults and false remarks, and if as a band or as individuals they wish to continue along the same lines, then any notion of an original Black Sabbath lineup will continue to fade away.
Put simply, it’s up to them. I have dearly missed playing with them and as people, I have been heartbroken over the loss of who I thought we were. And now you know where I stand.
Very soon my band, BWB will release a new album ironically called “Accountable Beasts.” I re- kick-started it in May 2012, and in an off and on journey to record, we have reached our final destination – a good mix, and a well mastered record. At this time we are putting the final touches on the digital booklet.
There are other multiple projects in different stages of progress, and I hope to bring more definitive news about them as things unfold this year. I have been very happy writing new songs, playing drums and working with other musicians. I have been blessed with musical visions and the ability to harness them. I’m moving into the future with an optimistic outlook.
For our many Sabbath fans, I love you all dearly. You are extremely special people. You ****ing rock. I have been in deep regret since January 2012 that a true union was denied. I’ve remained faithful to you and honest with myself. Had I not been honest throughout I would have perished long ago. My hand is within yours, and I am encouraged to know you better. Stay safe and stay strong.
Now it is time to meet the circumstances of my statement and attend to what else is ongoing and before me.
Love,
Bill Ward


[Ozzy]

I never wanted to discuss this in a public forum but Bill's statements left me no option to but to respond honestly.
Wow Bill,
What the **** are you on about? I cannot apologize for comments or opinions I may have made about you in the press during Sabbath’s “13” album and tour-- physically, you knew you were ****ed. Tony, Geezer and myself didn’t think you could have done a two hour set with a drum solo every night, so we made the decision to move on. With Tony’s condition we felt that time was not on our side.
Bill, stop this smokescreen about an “unsignable contract” and let’s be honest. Deep down inside you knew you weren’t capable of doing the album and a 16 month tour. Unfortunately for you, our instincts were correct as you were in hospital several times during 2013. Your last hospitalization was for a shoulder surgery that you now say you’ve only just recovered from. This would have meant that our world tour would have been canceled. So how is all of this my fault? Stop playing the victim and be honest with yourself and our fans.
Bill, we go back a long way, let’s stop this now before it gets out of hand.
God bless you.
Love.
Ozzy

It's sad that it's come to this, using the press to bitch back and forth instead of settling it in private & behind closed doors.

THE END BEGINS JANUARY 2016

Yeah Ozzy pulled a similar stunt in '92, so take it with a pinch of salt.

Irish date would be nice but can Ozzy hack it live anymore?

MetalDog wrote: »

Irish date would be nice but can Ozzy hack it live anymore?

As long as brings his hidden singer side-stage, he'll be fine :pac:

Excellent in Belfast on the 13 tour as well....