Original Black Sabbath to put out album, tour in 2012.

[ajcardfan]

Hell yeah! It's exciting stuff that we might hear new, killer, Sabbath tunes live.


Can Bill Ward stay healthy enough to pull it off? Can Ozzy and Ward matchup with Dio and Appice? The comparisons are going to come, and the pressure on Ozzy and Ward will be huge. If you don't believe me, watch the Wacken DVD of Heaven and Hell.

There is absolutely no doubt Iommi and Butler at still at the top of their game. My hope is they wouldn't do this if they thought it would be subpar. They have played with Ozzy and Ward recently, so that gives me hope that this album will be a great one, as good, or better, than "The Devil You Know".

 

[ozzfloyd]

I'm ready!

I saw Ozzy 3 times on his tour last year. He sounded better than I've heard since the early 90's. Still some issues with the higher notes, but otherwise spot on for the most part. I think Bill's health is more of a question mark. Can he keep up with the other guys for an extended tour?

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Damn! I saw Black Sabbath at BOB on New Years Eve '99 for their first reunion tour. Bill Ward looked on death's bed that night. I can't imagine 12 years later!!!!

 

[SunCityCarl]

I've seen a couple of recent interviews with Bill Ward he looks healthier, I sure would hope he can go. If not I'll bet Vinny will slide right into the drum throne!!

 

[ajcardfan]

The new Black Sabbath album, "13", has been out a week and is officially number one in both the USA and the UK. That's the first time they've topped the charts here, and first time since "Paranoid" in 1970 in the UK. Which sets a record for longest span between number one albums.

So, Bill Ward washed out of the reunion, and album, like he has several times before in Sabbath history. Brad Wilk played on the album, and did a terrific job. Tommy Clufetos is drumming on the tour.

If you get this album, the deluxe Best Buy edition, which has four bonus tracks, is definitely worth it. The deluxe at other places, just has three which leaves off one of my favorites "Naievte in Black". My other favorites are "Methademic", "Age of Reason" and "Damaged Soul". Long time Sabbath fans will also love the end of the CD.

Geezer's bass is as great as ANY Sabbath album EVER IMO. And, Iommi is a guitar god and has not a single sign of slipping event though he was getting cancer treatments during the recording of the album.

However, the huge SURPRISE, is Ozzy sounds great on this record. And, I have found his last few solo albums damn near unlistenable overall. He isn't screaming, or going for high notes he can't hit.

overall: 4.5 out of 5. It isn't "Masters of Reality", or "Sabotage", but it is immediately recognizable as that era of Sabbath and is way better than either "Technical Ecstasy" or "Never Say Die".

 

[BigRedRage]

Nice, look forward to hearing it. The new song is good even though they were chasing shock value.

 

[ozzfloyd]

Very good album. Nice and raw. Ozzy sounds great...a natural great, not auto-tuned and processed to perfection...he sounds his age, but it sounds sinister and creepy as he should. Can't wait for the August 30th show as US Airways.

So far my favorite tunes are Loner and Damaged Soul. Loner sounds like it could have fit right in on Sabotage or Technical Ecstasy.

 

[Russ Smith]

Listening to "God is Dead" online right now, so far I like it.

 

[ajcardfan]

So, did anyone else go to the show this past Friday?

I did and it was a fricking blast!!! My main concern was how Ozzy would sound, and I've read plenty on the net saying how bad he has been on this tour. But, I have to say he had a really good night. Very high energy, and only garbled the words on a couple of songs.

Of course, Iommi and Butler were awesome... perfect even. And, Clufetos did a great job, even on Rat Salad.

To me, it was worth every penny. Hell, hearing NIB live was almost worth that much to me.

 

[ajcardfan]

How about this idea..

Sabbath, Priest and Maiden doing a handful of shows together, ala the Big 4 of thrash. I'd travel pretty much anywhere in the States to see that show.

 

[ozzfloyd]

Was at this show. I've seen Ozzy with and without Sabbath 17 times. This was easily top 3 for me. Ozzy sounded better than I've heard him sound for at least 15 years.

Re: Sabbath, Priest and Maiden... Sabbath and Priest for sure would work. The Sabs and guys in priest are all old Birmingham chaps, but Maiden will never happen after the Ozzy/Sharon vs Dickinson feud a while back.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Saw Sabbath at Orange Show stadium in San Bernardino in 1976 I believe.