Possibility of Black Sabbath reunion greatly exaggerated

Despite reports from various news sources yesterday that the original line-up of Black Sabbath had reunited and were planning a new album and tour, it appears that this news was just a rumour.

Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has issued the following statement:

“I’m saddened that a Birmingham journalist whom I trusted has chosen this point in time to take a conversation we had back in June and make it sound like we spoke yesterday about a Black Sabbath reunion.

“At the time I was supporting the Home Of Metal exhibition was merely speculating shooting the breeze on something all of us get asked constantly, ‘Are you getting back together?’

“Thanks to the Internet it’s now gone round the world as some sort of ‘official’ statement on my part; absolute nonsense. I hope he’s enjoyed his moment of glory, he won’t have another at my expense.

“To my old pals, Ozzy, Geezer and Bill, sorry about this, I should have known better.”

 

The last time the four original members released a full album together was in 1978.

The creation of that album, ‘Never Say Die’ wasn’t without it’s troubles.  Frontman Ozzy Osbourne left the band briefly during that time and was temporarily replaced by ex-Fleetwood Mac man Dave Walker.  Walker’s time with the band was so shortlived, he only made one public appearance as a member of the band, performing the then new song, ‘Junior’s Eyes’ on Birmingham’s ‘Look East’ news programme.

With the 2011 Sabbath reunion firmly denied, it seems as if the new material Sabbath were working on with Rick Rubin in 2001 is destined to be unheard…