BLACK SABBATH Announce European Tour!

As previously announced, BLACK SABBATH will be releasing their comeback record entitled '13' on June 10 via Vertigo (album artwork & details HERE). In anticipation of the most anticipated album of year, SABBATH will be touring Europe this November and December. Here are the confirmed tour dates:

Nov. 20 - Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland
Nov. 22 - Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
Nov. 24 - Telenor Arena, Oslo, Norway
Nov. 26 - Forum, Denmark, Copenhagen
Nov. 28 - Ziggo Dome, Holland, Amsterdam
Nov. 30 - Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany
Dec. 02 - Bercy, Paris, France
Dec. 05 - Fiera Arena, Milan, Italy
Dec. 07 - 02 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
Dec. 10 - 02 Arena, London, UK
Dec. 12 - Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Ireland
Dec. 14 - Arena, Sheffield, UK
Dec. 16 - Hydro, Glasgow, UK
Dec. 18 - Arena, Manchester, UK
Dec. 20 - LG Arena, Birmingham, UK 


Other Upcoming BLACK SABBATH tour dates:

- Apr 20: Auckland Vector Arena, New Zealand
- Apr 22: Auckland Vector Arena, New Zealand
- Apr 25: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Australia
- Apr 27: Sydney All Phones Arena, Australia
- Apr 28: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
- May 1: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
- May 4: Perth Arena, Australia
- May 12: Ozzfest, Tokyo Makahari Messe, Japan

Be the first to get information about the new Black Sabbath album: http://bitly.com/BlackSabbathMailingList.

Related links:
BLACK SABBATH's Official Website

BLACK SABBATH Reveal Album Cover For '13' & Give You A Sample Of Their NEW Music!

Heavy Metal legends BLACK SABBATH have revealed the album cover for their upcoming comeback record entitled '13' (set to be released on June 10 via Vertigo). Song titles on the album include "God Is Dead", "End Of The Beginning" and "Age of Reason". You can also listen to audio snippets of '13' at the video below.

 
The following variations now available to pre-order from www.blacksabbath.com:

• Standard CD album
• Deluxe double CD album in a deluxe soft-pack (includes a second disc of exclusive bonus audio material)
• Vinyl: 12″ heavyweight (180g) vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve
• Super Deluxe Box Set: limited edition 12″ clamshell box set which contains:
- Deluxe double CD album
- 12″ heavyweight (180g) vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve
- Exclusive DVD containing ‘Black Sabbath–The Re-union’ documentary
- 5 behind-the-scenes videos
- Download card containing exclusive track by track interview with Black Sabbath
- Exclusive ’13′ art print
- 13 exclusive photographic prints and hand written album lyrics



Upcoming BLACK SABBATH tour dates:

- Apr 20: Auckland Vector Arena, New Zealand
- Apr 22: Auckland Vector Arena, New Zealand
- Apr 25: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Australia
- Apr 27: Sydney All Phones Arena, Australia
- Apr 28: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
- May 1: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
- May 4: Perth Arena, Australia
- May 12: Ozzfest, Tokyo Makahari Messe, Japan

Be the first to get information about the new Black Sabbath album: http://bitly.com/BlackSabbathMailingList.

Related links:
BLACK SABBATH's Official Website

Ozzy Osbourne Offers Update On The Health Status Of His Guitarist Tony Iommi

As previously announced, BLACK SABBATH will be releasing their comeback record '13' on June 10 via Vertigo. The band - Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Brad Wilke - will be on the road from July through September. So far, the only tour date that has been confirmed is at Toronto's Air Canada Centre on August 14, at Toronto's Air Canada Centre.

Ozzy recently updated fans on the health status of his friend and guitarist Tony Iommi:

“Tony’s fine, but he can only go out on the road for six weeks at a time as he has to have infusions or some s&*t for his immune system. I was amazed that during his chemotherapy he was still writing songs. My heart goes out to him, because when Sharon had cancer a few years back, she was so sick from chemotherapy she could barely get out of bed. It’s like having a football kick to the nuts. The chemotherapy is worse than the cancer – Sharon was like [the possessed child Regan in] ‘The Exorcist,’ having seizures all the time. Tony is doing really well though.”

SABBATH recently posted a video from the '13' studio sessions that includes a very rate interview with producer Rick Rubin. Members of the bands are also interviewed on this video!

Song titles on the album include "God Is Dead", "End Of The Beginning" and "Age of Reason".Upcoming BLACK SABBATH tour dates (UPDATED):

- Apr 20: Auckland Vector Arena, New Zealand
- Apr 22: Auckland Vector Arena, New Zealand
- Apr 25: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Australia
- Apr 27: Sydney All Phones Arena, Australia
- Apr 28: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
- May 1: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
- May 4: Perth Arena, Australia
- May 12: Ozzfest, Tokyo Makahari Messe, Japan

- August 14: Toronto's Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Canada

Be the first to get information about the new Black Sabbath album: http://bitly.com/BlackSabbathMailingList.

Related links:
BLACK SABBATH's Official Website

BLACK SABBATH Announce Their First North American Show!

As announced earlier this week, BLACK SABBATH will be releasing their comeback record '13' on June 10 via Vertigo. And guess what? The band has announced that they will be touring North America this summer!

The band - Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Brad Wilke - will be on the road from July through September. So far, the only tour date that has been confirmed is at Toronto's Air Canada Centre  on August 14, at Toronto's Air Canada Centre. Tickets for the Toronto concert go on sale on April 13. The band will be announcing the full agenda soon, so stay tuned!

SABBATH recently posted a video from the '13' studio sessions that includes a very rate interview with producer Rick Rubin. Members of the bands are also interviewed on this video!

Song titles on the album include "God Is Dead", "End Of The Beginning" and "Age of Reason".

The following variations now available to pre-order from www.blacksabbath.com:

• Standard CD album
• Deluxe double CD album in a deluxe soft-pack (includes a second disc of exclusive bonus audio material)
• Vinyl: 12″ heavyweight (180g) vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve
• Super Deluxe Box Set: limited edition 12″ clamshell box set which contains:

- Deluxe double CD album
- 12″ heavyweight (180g) vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve
- Exclusive DVD containing ‘Black Sabbath–The Re-union’ documentary
- 5 behind-the-scenes videos
- Download card containing exclusive track by track interview with Black Sabbath
- Exclusive ’13′ art print
- 13 exclusive photographic prints and hand written album lyrics

Upcoming BLACK SABBATH tour dates (UPDATED):
- Apr 20: Auckland Vector Arena, New Zealand
- Apr 22: Auckland Vector Arena, New Zealand
- Apr 25: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Australia
- Apr 27: Sydney All Phones Arena, Australia
- Apr 28: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
- May 1: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
- May 4: Perth Arena, Australia
- May 12: Ozzfest, Tokyo Makahari Messe, Japan

- August 14: Toronto's Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Canada

Be the first to get information about the new Black Sabbath album: http://bitly.com/BlackSabbathMailingList.

Related links:
BLACK SABBATH's Official Website

BLACK SABBATH Reveal TONS Of Details About Their NEW Record; Watch An Interview With Rick Rubin!

Heavy Metal legends BLACK SABBATH have just posted a video from the '13' studio sessions, and it includes a very rate interview with producer Rick Rubin. Members of the bands - Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Brad Wilk - are also interviewed on the video below.

Additionally, the band has confirmed that '13' will be released on June 10 via Vertigo. Song titles on the album include "God Is Dead", "End Of The Beginning" and "Age of Reason".

The following variations now available to pre-order from www.blacksabbath.com:

• Standard CD album
• Deluxe double CD album in a deluxe soft-pack (includes a second disc of exclusive bonus audio material)
• Vinyl: 12″ heavyweight (180g) vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve
• Super Deluxe Box Set: limited edition 12″ clamshell box set which contains:

- Deluxe double CD album
- 12″ heavyweight (180g) vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve
- Exclusive DVD containing ‘Black Sabbath–The Re-union’ documentary
- 5 behind-the-scenes videos
- Download card containing exclusive track by track interview with Black Sabbath
- Exclusive ’13′ art print
- 13 exclusive photographic prints and hand written album lyrics


Upcoming BLACK SABBATH tour dates:

- Apr 20: Auckland Vector Arena, New Zealand
- Apr 22: Auckland Vector Arena, New Zealand
- Apr 25: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Australia
- Apr 27: Sydney All Phones Arena, Australia
- Apr 28: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
- May 1: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
- May 4: Perth Arena, Australia
- May 12: Ozzfest, Tokyo Makahari Messe, Japan


Be the first to get information about the new Black Sabbath album: http://bitly.com/BlackSabbathMailingList.

Related links:
BLACK SABBATH's Official Website

METALLICA: NEW Album Update From James Hetfield & Lars Ulrich!

The METALLICA machine never stops! For the past 3+ years, the Kings of Thrash Metal have been busy touring the entire world in support of their night studio album 'Death Magnetic' (released on September 12, 2008 via Warner Bros.). While the band still has numerous tour dates planned (dates below), both James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich updated their devoted fan base about the bands 10th studio album. This are some excerpts of an interview that METAL HAMMER magazine conducted with the two Metal icons.

Lars Ulrich: "We're circling the NEW stuff. We've started writing a little more in stages. There's so many projects that we do all the time. When we wrote the 'black album,' we started writing it and we finished writing it without anything else [going on] — it was three months, boom. We don't do it like that anymore. We'll write for awhile and we'll go to Brazil and then we'll come back and go do a week's worth of shows with Lou Reed, and then we'll write for two weeks and then we'll pick our noses and we'll do something else and then we'll play the Fillmore, you know what I mean? So it's difficult to be cohesive in an interview about it. I don't really have any direction yet, and I've heard most of it. It sounds heavy and energetic and very Metallica-like, but whether it's more like 'Death Magnetic' or more like this or that, I don't know."

About who will be producing the NEW METALLICA album:

James Hetfield: "He's a different kind of producer. He's challenging. He's a very cut-and-dried, to-the-point kind of producer, but he's also very open, and open to lots of ideas. He does have lots of great ideas of his own as well. But I think that the main thing for us was getting to the core and essence of Metallica, and that's the reason we chose to work with him. He gets the best out of artists that have been around for a while, I believe. And he helps you get back to that essence. That's what we wanted him for."

Lars Ulrich: "Rick is a lot about creating comfort and atmosphere and a vibe, and right now that's kinda how it's looking. We haven't sat down and gone to the next level on direction and practical elements and all that type of stuff. I saw Rick in L.A. two weeks ago and we talked about him coming up to San Francisco in March or April to start talking about the process, but as you know, we've got another couple of balls in the air with our movie and live dates and the Orion festival. It never ends, and right now some of these balls are quite time-consuming. Rick is not a one-trick pony; he builds a particular ease around whatever your task is, so I think whatever we want to do for this next record, he will help us with that, whatever it may be."



METALLICA have 10 more European dates before their two day festival: "Orion Music + More", which is scheduled for June 23-24 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. They are also in talks with Rick Rubin to produce their tenth studio album at some point this year.

METALLICA "European Tour" (Remaining Tour Dates):

- 5/10/2012: Warsaw, Poland at Sonisphere - Bemowo Airport
- 5/12/2012: Paris, France at Stade de France (Sold Out)
- 5/13/2012: Udine, Italy at Stadio Friuli
- 5/23/2012: Oslo, Norway at Vallehovin (Sold Out)
- 5/25/2012: Lisbon, Portugal at Rock in Rio
- 5/26/2012: Madrid, Spain  at Sonisphere - Getafe Open Air
- 5/28/2012: Werchter, Belgium at Festivalpark
- 5/30/2012: Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland at Sonisphere - Rives du Lac
- 6/1/2012: Nurnberg, Germany  at Rock Im Park
- 6/2/2012: Nurburgring, Germany at Rock Am Ring
- 6/4/2012: Helsinki, Finland at Sonisphere - Kalasatama
- 6/6/2012: Horsens, Denmark at State Prison Open Air (Sold Out)
- 6/9/2012: Donington, England at Download Festival
- 6/10/2012: Nickelsdorf, Austria at Nova Rock

In a historical twist of events, METALLICA will be performing six back-to-back shows in Mexico City show after their five previous shows sold out in a matter of minutes! Heavy Metal's biggest band, will be performing at the Sports Palace in Mexico City on August 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, and 9. Additionally, the band will be unveiling their NEW stage: a 140x50-foot stage that features colossal components and striking visual elements spanning Metallica's 30-year career.

Related links:
Metallica's Official Site
Metal Hammer Magazine

Update From Sharon Osbourne About Tonny Iommi & The Bill Ward Situation!

Last Thursday, February 9th, Ozzy's wife and manager Sharon Osbourne made the a statement regarding the Bill Ward situation with Black Sabbath. When asked if Ozzy, Geezer Butler and guitarist Tony Iommi have found a replacement for the band's original drummer, Bill Ward, she replied, "You know, I don't know. I honestly, honestly don't know. It's all up in the air. The one thing that is for sure is that SABBATH are in the studio with [producer] Rick Rubin and they are going on tour. That's all I know. And Tony is doing brilliantly well."

According to many sources, Bill's replacement would be Tommy Clufetos from the Ozzy Osbourne band. Stay tuned for more information!

Black Sabbath European tour-dates:

- May 18: Moscow, Russia - Olimpiski
- May 20: St. Petersburg, Russia - New Arena
- May 23: Helsinki, Finland - Hartwall Arena
- May 25: Stockholm, Sweden - Stadium
- May 29: Bergen, Norway - Bergen Calling Festival
- May 31: Oslo, Norway - Spektrum
- Jun. 02: Malmö, Sweden - Malmö Stadium
- Jun. 04: Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
- Jun. 10: Donnington, UK - Download Festival
- Jun. 12: Rotterdam, Holland - Ahoy
- Jun. 15: Bilbao, Spain - Azkena Rock Festival
- Jun. 17: Nantes, France - Hellfest
- Jun. 19: Paris, France - Bercy
- Jun. 22: Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
- Jun. 24: Milan, Italy - Gods of Metal



Related links:
Black Sabbath

Sharon Osbourne Denies Allegations That She Fired Bill Ward From BLACK SABBATH!

Earlier this week, it was rumored that Sharon Osbourne had fired drummer Bill Ward from BLACK SABBATH, after Bill Ward made the following statement:

"At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the BLACK SABBATH album and tour," stated Ward. "However, I am unable to continue unless a 'signable' contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band."

To this the remaining members of BLACK SABBATH replied:

"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 U.K. with Tony. Writing and recording the new album and on a roll... See you at Download!!!"

Today, Sharon Osbourne twitted the following statement:

"I am not in any position to hire or fire anyone in Black Sabbath. I don't manage the band, I manage my husband (Ozzy Osbourne)."

According to many sources, Bill's replacement would be Tommy Clufetos from the Ozzy Osbourne band. Stay tuned for more information!

Black Sabbath European tour-dates:

- May 18: Moscow, Russia - Olimpiski
- May 20: St. Petersburg, Russia - New Arena
- May 23: Helsinki, Finland - Hartwall Arena
- May 25: Stockholm, Sweden - Stadium
- May 29: Bergen, Norway - Bergen Calling Festival
- May 31: Oslo, Norway - Spektrum
- Jun. 02: Malmö, Sweden - Malmö Stadium
- Jun. 04: Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
- Jun. 10: Donnington, UK - Download Festival
- Jun. 12: Rotterdam, Holland - Ahoy
- Jun. 15: Bilbao, Spain - Azkena Rock Festival
- Jun. 17: Nantes, France - Hellfest
- Jun. 19: Paris, France - Bercy
- Jun. 22: Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
- Jun. 24: Milan, Italy - Gods of Metal



Related links:
Black Sabbath

Sharon Osbourne Fires Bill Ward From Black Sabbath?

In an unprecedented move, we have just been informed by a reliable source that Sharon Osbourne has fired drummer Bill Ward from BLACK SABBATH! This all comes after Bill Ward made the following statement:

"At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the BLACK SABBATH album and tour," stated Ward. "However, I am unable to continue unless a 'signable' contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band."

To this the remaining members of BLACK SABBATH replied:

"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 U.K. with Tony. Writing and recording the new album and on a roll... See you at Download!!!"

According to many sources, Bill's replacement will be Tommy Clufetos from the Ozzy Osbourne band. Stay tuned for more information!

Black Sabbath European tour-dates:

- May 18: Moscow, Russia - Olimpiski
- May 20: St. Petersburg, Russia - New Arena
- May 23: Helsinki, Finland - Hartwall Arena
- May 25: Stockholm, Sweden - Stadium
- May 29: Bergen, Norway - Bergen Calling Festival
- May 31: Oslo, Norway - Spektrum
- Jun. 02: Malmö, Sweden - Malmö Stadium
- Jun. 04: Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
- Jun. 10: Donnington, UK - Download Festival
- Jun. 12: Rotterdam, Holland - Ahoy
- Jun. 15: Bilbao, Spain - Azkena Rock Festival
- Jun. 17: Nantes, France - Hellfest
- Jun. 19: Paris, France - Bercy
- Jun. 22: Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
- Jun. 24: Milan, Italy - Gods of Metal



Related links:
Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath To Record & Tour Without Bill Ward!

Last week, drummer Bill Ward made a statement regarding the status of the reunion of Heavy Metal legends Black Sabbath: "At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the BLACK SABBATH album and tour," stated Ward. "However, I am unable to continue unless a 'signable' contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band."

The remaining members of Black Sabbath (Ozzy, Osbourne, Tony Iommy & Geezer Butler) have announced that they will continue recording the NEW album without Bill Ward. In other words, as of right now, there wont be a proper Black Sabbath reunion. This is a huge punch in the stomach to all the fans that want to see the return of Black Sabbath's classic lineup! Here is their statement:

"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 U.K. with Tony. Writing and recording the new album and on a roll... See you at Download!!!"



Black Sabbath European tour-dates:

- May 18: Moscow, Russia - Olimpiski
- May 20: St. Petersburg, Russia - New Arena
- May 23: Helsinki, Finland - Hartwall Arena
- May 25: Stockholm, Sweden - Stadium
- May 29: Bergen, Norway - Bergen Calling Festival
- May 31: Oslo, Norway - Spektrum
- Jun. 02: Malmö, Sweden - Malmö Stadium
- Jun. 04: Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
- Jun. 10: Donnington, UK - Download Festival
- Jun. 12: Rotterdam, Holland - Ahoy
- Jun. 15: Bilbao, Spain - Azkena Rock Festival
- Jun. 17: Nantes, France - Hellfest
- Jun. 19: Paris, France - Bercy
- Jun. 22: Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
- Jun. 24: Milan, Italy - Gods of Metal

Related links:
Black Sabbath

BLACK SABBATH To Record & Tour Without Bill Ward?!

It seems like the drama behind the BLACK SABBATH camp never stops. In an unprecedented move, legendary drummer Bill Ward has made it very clear that he will not be able to partake in the recording session for the NEW SABBATH album and any any subsequent touring, unless he is given a "fair agreement". Here is his official statement regarding this matter:

"Dear SABBATH fans, fellow musicians and interested parties,

"At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the BLACK SABBATH album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a 'signable' contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band.

"Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with [fellow original SABBATH members] Tony [Iommi, guitar], Ozzy [Osbourne, vocals] and Geezer [Butler, bass]. And on [November 11, 2011], again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference.

"Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another 'unsignable' contract was handed to me.

"Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with BLACK SABBATH.

"Since the news of Tony's illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I've spent every day getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I've tried to find out what's going on with the U.K. sessions, I've realized that I've been getting 'the cold shoulder' (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what's happening unless I sign 'the unsignable contract.'

"The place I'm in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign 'as is,' I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a Rock musician.

"I believe in freedom and freedom of speech.

"I grew up in a hard Rock/Metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.

"If I'm replaced, I have to face you, the beloved SABBATH fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original BLACK SABBATH lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to SABBATH is intact.

"So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I'm good to go IF I get a 'signable' contract.

"I don't want to let anyone down, especially BLACK SABBATH and all the SABBATH fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.

"My position is not greed-driven. I'm not holding out for a 'big piece' of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I’d like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago.

"After the last tour, I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I've brought to BLACK SABBATH since its beginning.

"That's the story so far.

"Stay safe and stay strong.

"I love every single one of you."

- Bill Ward



Black Sabbath European tour-dates:

- May 18: Moscow, Russia - Olimpiski
- May 20: St. Petersburg, Russia - New Arena
- May 23: Helsinki, Finland - Hartwall Arena
- May 25: Stockholm, Sweden - Stadium
- May 29: Bergen, Norway - Bergen Calling Festival
- May 31: Oslo, Norway - Spektrum
- Jun. 02: Malmö, Sweden - Malmö Stadium
- Jun. 04: Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
- Jun. 10: Donnington, UK - Download Festival
- Jun. 12: Rotterdam, Holland - Ahoy
- Jun. 15: Bilbao, Spain - Azkena Rock Festival
- Jun. 17: Nantes, France - Hellfest
- Jun. 19: Paris, France - Bercy
- Jun. 22: Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
- Jun. 24: Milan, Italy - Gods of Metal

Related links:
Black Sabbath

The 2011 News Story Of The Year: Black Sabbath Reunites - Tattoo Tribute Available!

On 11/11/11 at 11:11 A.M, the Heavy Music community gathered at the Whiskey A Go GO in Los Angeles, California. The occasion? The pioneers of Heavy Metal, the legendary band Black Sabbath, announced during a press conference that they will be recording a NEW album in 2012 with the master of the boards Rick Rubin! The band also announced that they are planning a World Tour (initial tourdates listed below)! Black Sabbath has also been confirmed to headline next years Download Festival on June 10th, 2012!

According to Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath have already written a handful of songs for their first NEW studio album in 33 years, and are planning to enter the studio in early 2012.

In order to pay tribute to the legacy of Black Sabbath, and to their decision to reunite once again. On 12/2/11, Horns Up Rocks founder Jo Schüftan headed over to Powerful Magic Tattoo in Brooklyn, NY and got a tattoo of the Black Sabbath emblem in tribute to the godfathers of Heavy Metal. Here is a video recap which features snippets of Black Sabbath's press conference, as well as the tattoo session. Sit back relax, and don't try this at home! \m/



Black Sabbath European tour-dates:

- May 18: Moscow, Russia - Olimpiski
- May 20: St. Petersburg, Russia - New Arena
- May 23: Helsinki, Finland - Hartwall Arena
- May 25: Stockholm, Sweden - Stadium
- May 29: Bergen, Norway - Bergen Calling Festival
- May 31: Oslo, Norway - Spektrum
- Jun. 02: Malmö, Sweden - Malmö Stadium
- Jun. 04: Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
- Jun. 10: Donnington, UK - Download Festival
- Jun. 12: Rotterdam, Holland - Ahoy
- Jun. 15: Bilbao, Spain - Azkena Rock Festival
- Jun. 17: Nantes, France - Hellfest
- Jun. 19: Paris, France - Bercy
- Jun. 22: Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
- Jun. 24: Milan, Italy - Gods of Metal

Related links:
Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath Announce European Tourdates!

Last Friday (November 11th), the pioneers of Heavy Metal, the legendary band Black Sabbath, announced that they will be recording a new album in 2012 with producer Rick Rubin! The band also announced that they are planning a World Tour! The band is estimated to earn the musicians £100 million a piece, that's around $159 million, meaning each member of the band could take home up to £25 million (approximately $40 million)!

Black Sabbath attempted to record a new album in 1998, but had to abandon the project due to personal issues within the band and as a result only released two songs as part of a concert album entitled "Reunion". Following the "Reunion" tour that took place that same year, the band reunited sporadically in 1999, 2002, 2004 and 2005 for select concerts. The last time that the quartet of doom appeared together, was at their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006.

Today (November 18th), Black Sabbath has announced a chunk of European tour-dates.

Here they are:

- May 18: Moscow, Russia - Olimpiski
- May 20: St. Petersburg, Russia - New Arena
- May 23: Helsinki, Finland - Hartwall Arena
- May 25: Stockholm, Sweden - Stadium
- May 29: Bergen, Norway - Bergen Calling Festival
- May 31: Oslo, Norway - Spektrum
- Jun. 02: Malmö, Sweden - Malmö Stadium
- Jun. 04: Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
- Jun. 10: Donnington, UK - Download Festival
- Jun. 12: Rotterdam, Holland - Ahoy
- Jun. 15: Bilbao, Spain - Azkena Rock Festival
- Jun. 17: Nantes, France - Hellfest
- Jun. 19: Paris, France - Bercy
- Jun. 22: Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
- Jun. 24: Milan, Italy - Gods of Metal

Here is video of last weeks press conference (courtesy of Backstage Axxess)!





Related links:
Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath: Press Conference - Video Available!

Yesterday (November 11th), the pioneers of Heavy Metal, the legendary band Black Sabbath, announced that they will be recording a new album in 2012 with producer Rick Rubin! The band also announced that they are planning a World Tour! Black Sabbath has also been confirmed to headline next years Download Festival on June 10th, 2012!

Here is video of the entire press conference (courtesy of Backstage Axxess)!





Photo credit: Metal Hammer

Related links:
Black Sabbath
Backstage Axxess

Heavy Music History Is Made On National Metal Day Thanks To Black Sabbath!

Photo by: Kelly Osbourne

After much speculation, the original four members of BLACK SABBATH – OZZY OSBOURNE (vocals), TONY IOMMI (guitar), GEEZER BUTLER (bass) and BILL WARD (drums) – have reunited to record their first new studio album in 33 years with producer Rick Rubin (seven-time Grammy winner, two of those as Producer of the Year) and to embark on a massive world tour in 2012.

OSBOURNE, IOMMI, BUTLER and WARD as well as Rubin all gathered today on 11/11/11 to announce the news at a Los Angeles press conference at the legendary club, the Whisky A Go-Go, the site of the groundbreaking and influential band’s first L.A. concert exactly 41 years ago (Nov 11, 1970). The event was hosted by the revered musical and spoken word artist Henry Rollins who has said that “Any band worth their weight in napalm wishes they had written ‘War Pigs.’”

Selling over 70 million albums together, the Grammy-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees have signed a new record deal worldwide with Vertigo and Vertigo/ Universal Republic in the U.S., the band’s original label. BLACK SABBATH is now in the studio recording the as-yet-untitled new album for release in the fall of 2012 (exact date TBA). It will mark their ninth studio album together and their first since 1978’s Never Say Die!

Next summer, BLACK SABBATH will headline the mammoth multi-day UK Download Festival in the U.K. on June 10. The new album will then be supported with a worldwide headline arena tour (dates TBA).

BLACK SABBATH also announced today the launch of www.blacksabbath.com, the first-ever official BLACK SABBATH website for all authorized BLACK SABBATH news. In addition, the band’s online presence will also be supported by social media via Facebook and Twitter–again, marking the band’s first-ever foray into the social media world.

BLACK SABBATH released their self-titled debut album in 1970. “Black Sabbath is credited with creating heavy metal,” according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “The success of their first two albums–Black Sabbath and Paranoid–marked a paradigm shift in the world of rock. Not until Black Sabbath upended the music scene did the term ‘heavy metal’ enter the popular vocabulary to describe the denser, more thunderous offshoot of rock over which they presided.” The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame also noted, “…they remain one of the most misunderstood bands in rock history,” adding: “The band’s musicality was generally overlooked, but they possessed an inventiveness and fluency that, in hindsight, makes them seem as much of a progressive-rock band as a heavy-metal one.”

In 1998, BLACK SABBATH released Reunion from their 1997 concerts in Birmingham, England, a two-CD live set that featured two new studio songs. The band has also sporadically reunited for shows in 1999, 2002 and 2004; in 2005, the four performed concerts together when they toured Europe and then headlined the 10th anniversary of Osbourne’s namesake festival OZZfest. Also in 2005, they were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame by Brian May of Queen. This was followed by their induction in 2006 into the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed on them by Metallica’s James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich.

Put your HORNS WAY UP for Black Sabbath! \m/

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Black Sabbath Announce NEW Album & World Tour!

Today, is an amazing day to be a Heavy Music fan. The pioneers of Heavy Metal, the legendary band Black Sabbath, have announced that they will be recording a new album in 2012 with the master of the boards Rick Rubin! The band also announced that they are planning a World Tour! Black Sabbath has also been confirmed to headline next years Download Festival on June 10th, 2012!

According to producer Rick Rubin, Black Sabbath have written a handful of songs for their first NEW studio album in 33 years, and are planning to enter the studio in early 2012.

Facts about Black Sabbath:

- Inducted into the UK Rock and Roll HALL OF FAME in 2005, and in the U.S. in 2006.
- 100 Greatest Artist of ALL TIME, according to Rolling Stone.
- "Iron Man"... One of the Greatest Metal Songs of All Time, according to VH1.
- "Paranoid" is the the birthplace of Heavy Metal, according to Time Magazine.
- Greatest Metal band of ALL TIME, according to MTV.
- Over 70 Million Albums Sold!





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