Album Of The Week: Master Of Reality by Black Sabbath

We continue on our road of discovery as we check out albums that were ranked on Loudwire.com’s 50 Best Metal Albums Of All Time list and we are checking out another album from the almighty Black Sabbath. The album we are checking out this week is the fourth Black Sabbath record to be featured on the list (Paranoid, Black Sabbath, and Heaven And Hell are the other three) and Loudwire ranked Master Of Reality, the band’s third album overall tenth on their list. The album once again featured Ozzy Osbourne (Vocals), Tony Iommi (Guitar), Geezer Butler (Bass), and Bill Ward (Drums) with Rodger Bain returning for the third album in a row as the band’s producer. The album was released on July 21, 1971 and is the album that is widely considered the album that helped start the genre’s of Doom Metal, Stoner Rock, and Sludge Metal. The album for a long time was a huge success for the band as it went double platinum and was the only Sabbath record to crack the top 10 in the US as it peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Top 200. It was the only album for 42 years until 13 came out in 2013 which peaked at number one on the Billboard top 200.

1. Sweet Leaf-The track that begins with the coughing and the big riffs is one of the all time classics from Sabbath. That coughing loop is actually Tony Iommi coughing from a joint he was smoking with Ozzy which is what the track is about. 5/5

2. After Forever-A pretty cool track that was written by Iommi featuring lyrics written by self proclaimed catholic Geezer Butler which the lyrics center on various Christian themes like belief in Christ and the Pope. 5/5

3. Embryo-a :28 second instrumental which helps set up the very next track 5/5

4. Children Of The Grave– This bass heavy super charged track is my all time favorite Black Sabbath with it’s prominent drum beats to match. The track is another anti-war track from the band that is along the same lines as War Pigs and Electric Funeral. 5/5

5. Orchid-another instrumental track on the album that is a nice segway into the next track. 5/5

6. Lord Of This World-a great track that looks at Satan and how he claims to be Lord of our world due to the fact that we do so much sinning that it allows him to be. 5/5

7. Solitude– a slow track in the same vein as Planet Caravan that is sung so beautifully by Ozzy that we can’t believe it’s him singing. The track is about losing someone that you were in love with and they left you with nothing. 5/5

8. Into The Void– a track that is widely loved by so many including Eddie Van Halen and James Hetfield due to how bad ass the main riff is. It truly is an awesome song that was written in C# Minor in a song that is all about how man is destroying the earth. 5/5

My Final Thoughts– This is one of the most bad ass Black Sabbath records ever made. It’s an album that you can truly listen from beginning to end and it flows together nicely. Again, my all time favorite track is Children Of The Grave, but I love all the songs on this one which is why I am giving it five stars out of five for a final grade.

Album Of The Week: Heaven And Hell by Black Sabbath

If you were to ask me what were the most legendary Black Sabbath records to not feature Ozzy Osbourne on Vocals, I would literally say Heaven And Hell and Born Again without thinking twice. Born Again was an album that featured former Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan while Heaven And Hell, the band’s ninth studio album was the first to feature former Rainbow frontman Ronnie James Dio on vocals. It was the band’s first album without original vocalist Ozzy Osbourne and the first album to not feature a long of songwriting from Geezer Butler who had written a lot of the previous material. The band still featured Tony Iommi (Guitar), Butler (Bass), and Bill Ward (Drums) as well as Geoff Nichols making his first appearance on keyboards. While the album is controversial to a lot of Sabbath faithfuls, it was a very successful record as it peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Top 200 charts and was certified platinum in the US alone. Iommi commented on the difference between Ozzy and Dio saying, “Ozzy would sing with the riff. Just listen to ‘Iron Man’ and you’ll catch my drift: his vocal melody line copies the melody of the music. There was nothing wrong with that, but Ronnie liked singing across the riff instead of with it, come up with a melody that was different from that of the music, which musically opens a lot more doors. I don’t want to sound like I’m knocking Ozzy, but Ronnie’s approach opened up a new way for me to think …”

1. Neon Knights– The hard charging in your face opening track kicks the album off into overdrive was subsequently the last track written for the record as a filler for the first side. 5/5

2. Children Of The Sea– A very melodic track that was originally written when Ozzy was still the singer of the band. Iommi played the riff for the track and Dio instantly wrote lyrics for the track and Children Of The Sea was born. I think the track has something to do with mankind sort of ruining the earth. 5/5

3. Lady Evil– I love the opening bass riff that goes with the raunchy rock riff that Iommi provides and honestly I think it’s about ladies of the night. I could be wrong, but women can mystifying. 4.5/5

4. Heaven And Hell– The title track is one of the greatest Dio led Sabbath songs ever written and it ranks right up there with the rest of Sabbath’s catalog. Dio has said that the song is about choosing the right path that leads you to be the better you. 5/5

5. Wishing Well– an awesome track that is just rocks from beginning to end about how you can’t buy happiness no matter how much you try. You have to learn to love to be happy. 4.5/5

6. Die Young-a very cool into by Geoff Nichols helps kick off the track as Iommi comes in with a cool riff in stereo as Dio sings that you have to live to the fullest everyday because here today gone tomorrow. 4.5/5

7. Walk Away– A riff that sort of reminds me of something AC/DC would write just in the beginning though because as soon as it kicks off, it’s pretty cool in this track about staying away from women that are troubled. 4.5/5

8. Lonely Is The Word– The last track on the album has a bad ass riff that drives the song throughout which showcases the amazing teamwork of Iommi and Butler in this track about how being at the very top can be lonely especially if you crash. A very underrated track by the band with a very cool instrumental section. 5/5

My Final Thoughts– This was a completely different Black Sabbath then what we were used to with Ozzy Osbourne on vocals. Loudwire ranked it 23RD on their Best 50 Metal Albums Of All Time. While I agree with Zakk Wylde on one point that Black Sabbath is Ozzy Osbourne, Tony and Ronnie did make one hell of a record. My favorite tracks on the album are Lady Evil, the title track, Lonely Is The World, and Children Of The Sea. I would love to hear the Ozzy version of Children Of The Sea especially if Tony still has it. I am giving the album 4.75 stars out of five for a final grade.

When Metal Bands Fight: Case Closed

I have done many of these when Metal bands fight posts and usually there has never been any resolved circumstances except for maybe one. One instance that definitely closes out a case is none other than death because one side can not obviously fight back in their case. I am going to take the time now to close out some of our cases that have been left out there in When Metal Bands Fight: Case Closed. The first one that was closed was the case of Scott Weiland vs the members of Stone Temple Pilots. I first reported on the case back in April of 2015. Unfortunately on December 3, 2015, Scott Weiland passed away without ever resolving any of the issues. The band has since moved on with a new vocalist in Jeff Gutt and a brand new album as well. The next case that was closed was the only one to actually be resolved and that is the case of Axl Rose vs Slash which saw the duo reunite along with Duff McKagan for the Not in This Lifetime Tour that was a record breaker in 2016. The band has since gone strong since then, but I feel people are thinking that it’s about time for Axl to finally stop messing around and reunite the two remaining members of the band (Izzy Stradlin and Steven Adler).

Some cases are just cases of people opening their mouths and nothing ever comes of it ever again until something else happens between the two. For instance, N.W.A. has already been inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and there is nothing that Gene Simmons can do about it. The Mayhem Fest is officially dead and all Kerry King may have done is just predicted the ending of it especially now that he doesn’t have to deal with Kevin Lyman anymore. The one case that was never going to be resolved regardless of who lived is the case of Vinnie Paul vs Phil Anselmo which is really a sad case that breaks a lot of hearts. Vinnie Paul recently passed away which is what prompts me to say case closed. I was supposed to come out with a second part to it, but I just didn’t have the time. In an interview that Ultimate Classic Rock posted, Vinnie comments on what could be considered the reason it would never be resolved saying, “He’s done a lot of things that tarnish the image of what Pantera was back then, and what it stood for and what it was all about. And it’s sad. But I carry on with what I do, which is Hellyeah – which I’m very, very proud of. And, you know, I can’t control anything that goes on with that dude. I mean, honestly, I haven’t spoken to him since 2000. We tried to make amends of things when we were doing Damageplan, and he didn’t want anything to do with it. And then the horrible thing that happened to my brother happened. And, to me, that was the nail in the coffin. Period”

If I was a betting man I would say that was evidence enough that it would have never happened anyways. One case that could potentially become a case closed is one that involves the case of Black Sabbath (Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler) vs Bill Ward. Apparently, Birmingham, England is going to be hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games and according to Loudwire there are parties that could be interested in reuniting for a one off gig. Ozzy Osbourne told ITV that he loved the idea and that he would perform, “with Black Sabbath or on my own.” Tony Iommi apparently loved the idea and told the Birmingham Mail, “I think that it would be a great thing to do to help represent Birmingham. I’m up for it! Let’s see what happens!” The only question that really remains is whether Bill ward will join the gang for the one off gig for a proper send off the original Godfathers of Metal. It remains to be seen and if there is any news of it then we will deliver it to you.

Rock And Metal News 1/12/2016

So many bands or people that have collaborated in the past have been reuniting left and right lately. So, why can’t estranged members of Black Sabbath do the same exact thing. You’re probably wondering what in the world is he talking about? Well, apparently at a memorial plaque unveiling for Cozy Powell in Cirencester, UK, Tony Iommi and Tony Martin ran into to each other and talked for the first time in 15 years or so. Tony Martin sang on five Black Sabbath albums before his exit from the group and the two hadn’t spoken in years, but a reunion could happen. Here is what Martin had to say on his Facebook page, “Well what a great day… I attended the unveiling of Cozy Powell’s memorial plaque in his home town of Cirencester, along with Brian May, Neil Murray, and Tony Iommi… And to my surprise was greeted by Tony Iommi VERY warmly. Its the first conversation of any length I have had with him in 15 years!!!! ….. and it turns out we may well be working together soon!!!” Of course, he’ll have to wait for the end of the current Sabbath lineup before he’ll ever work with Iommi again, but fans can hopefully look forward to that in the future. After all, Iommi worked with Glenn Hughes on an album and he worked with Ozzy on an whole entire record.

I have seriously tried not to report on the Guns N Roses lineup thing until all details were revealed and certified authentic. While we know that Duff McKagan and Slash will be working with Axl Rose, there are rumors flying as to who the other members would be and this new one is one that I am seriously hoping for. Alan Niven, who managed GNR from 1986 until 1991 is saying that he believes that Izzy Stradlin could be rejoining the lineup. Niven claims, “Izzy will sit on the sidelines until he feels like he wants to get his toes in the water. He doesn’t like all the drama.” He goes on to say and boldly claim, “I think he’s written with them.” That is definitely quite the statement that can send the rumor mills flying high as fans wait and pray for a full reunion. We’ll just have to wait and see, but expect tons more for news as far as rumors are concerned.

The Ride For Dime Dimebash is one of those events that is worth attending especially if you were a fan of the metal legend Dimebag Darrell. Well, we have some news for the 2016 edition of the event as far as performers paying tribute to the late guitar legend. This year’s Ride For Dime Dimebash will take place at Lucky Strike Live venue in Hollywood, Calif on January 22ND. Promoters for the show are promising that members of Pantera, Slayer, Black Label Society, Alice in Chains, Machine Head, Hatebreed, Stone Sour, Type O Negative, Danzig, King’s X, DevilDriver, Prong, Kyng and Armored Saint will be there. Rita Haney commented saying, “I think the thing that embodies this event and entity is unity; bringing everyone together to celebrate the music played and loved by Darrell and to benefit the foundation of a very beloved man, Mr. Ronnie James Dio. Dimebag Darrell was notorious for giving us all so much, in some way, even to this day. So to be able to give back in his name is such an honor. With all of this amazing talent in one place it makes for a damn good celebration! C’mon out and getcha pull!” Tickets for the event can be found here.

Countdown To Christmas 2015: It’s Christmas Y’all

I had a lot of fun doing this countdown to Christmas for all of you guys as we shared some funny videos, songs, and other things as well. I just wanted to take the time to wish everyone all around the world a very Merry Christmas. I hope that you are taking the time to spend time with the ones you love because that is what this day is about. I also hope that everyone received everything they asked for as far as Christmas presents are concerned. I have a little Christmas present for all of you metal heads out there in the form of a song. What happens when you take one of the biggest voices of metal and match him together with one of the godfathers of metal? Well, you get a collaboration between Ronnie James Dio and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath. The two got together for a project called Metal X-Mas and they did the song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. So sit back, relax, and rock out with some killer Christmas music from a couple of legends. Merry Christmas everyone.

Album Of The Week: Paranoid by Black Sabbath

For this week’s album of the week, we are turning to the Godfathers of heavy metal to help us with the pick. The album we chose is Black Sabbath’s second studio album Paranoid which was released on September 18, 1970 and in two days time that will mark the 45TH anniversary of the album’s release. The band once again was made up of Ozzy Osbourne (Vocals), Tony Iommi (Guitars), Geezer Butler (Bass), and Bill ward (Drums). For 43 years, this was the band’s only album to ever top the charts in the UK until the release of 2013’s 13. When it came time for this album, the band wanted to capitalize on the success of the self titled debut, so in June they hit the studios and in four months they released the album which features many of the band’s concert staples like War Pigs, Fairies Wear Boots, and the title track. The band originally wanted to title the album Walpurgis, but then it was shortened War Pigs. Not long afterwards,  the album title was changed to Paranoid because the record company felt that was a potential single. Butler explains it to Classic Rock Magazine, “I wanted to write a song called ‘Walpurgis’ – you know, the Satanic version of Christmas – write it about that Satan isn’t a spiritual thing, it’s warmongers. That’s who the real Satanists are, all these people who are running the banks and the world and trying to get the working class to fight the wars for them. We sent it off to the record company and they said, ‘No, we’re not going to call it that. Too Satanic!’ So I changed it to ‘War Pigs’.” As far as where it placed on the charts here in America, it peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Top 200 charts and it went four times platinum.

1. War Pigs– This is perhaps one of my all time favorite Black Sabbaths songs both on record and live. The album starts with this amazing guitar riff that just sounds like doom with the help of an amazing bass riff added with air sirens to give it that doomy effect. Then it slows done with no instruments other than Bill Ward hitting the high hat with Tony Iommi coming in with some simple riffs. 5/5

2. Paranoid– this may be the most famous Sabbath song that was just a three minute filler according to the band who needed an extra track for the album. Boy were they wrong because the track took off and is there only top 20 hit in the UK. 5/5

3. Planet Caravan– This track was very different for the Sabath boys because it was psychadelic and a true gem. Pantera does an amazing cover of this song. 5/5

4. Iron Man– Another Sabbath classic about a man who travels to the future and he sees the apocalypse. While he tres to return back to the present to warn everyone, he is turned into a steel magnetic field and is made mute which makes him helpless in warning the people. 5/5

5. Electric Funeral– The song right from the beginning just sounds evil rigght from the start and it should consdiering it’s about how the world ends due to atomic bomb warfare. 5/5

6. Hand Of Doom– The track is widely regarded as the most popular song on the album by fans. It starts off slow with a bass line before it explodes right in with the music. The song is about soldiers who came to England from Vietnam that were extremely addicted to drugs. 5/5

7. Rat Salad– This is an instrumental song that really is the gateway tot he last track. 4.5/5

8. Fairies Wear Boots– Tony Iommi has stated the song is about a time when Geezer and Ozzy were smoking weed and they saw some fairies wearing boots and running around the park. It’s another favorite of mine from Black Sabbath and I love the intro to the song which is often referred to as Jack The Stripper. 5/5

My Final Thoughts-What more can I say about this record other than the fact that it’s probably the greatest Sabbath record of all time. Look at how many songs on this record are concert staples whether it’s played by Sabbath or Ozzy (solo). That is why I am giving the album five stars out of five for a final grade.

Rock And Metal News: Black Sabbath Announce The End

I feel like all bands are starting to follow the same suit as Motley Crue by announcing “final tours” because legendary heavy metal band Black Sabbath has done so. Through a video that was released online via Youtube, Black Sabbath have announced their plans to call it quits once and for all. Unfortunately, Bill Ward is still not a part of the conversation so he will surely miss out on the final chapter. The video starts by saying, “It’s the beginning of the end. It started nearly five decades ago with a crack of thunder, a distant bell ringing and then that monstrous riff that shook the earth. The heaviest rock sound ever heard. In that moment heavy metal was born, created by a young band from Birmingham, England barely out of their teens.” It then keeps going saying, “Now it ends, the final tour by the greatest metal band of all time, Black Sabbath. Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler close the final chapter in the final volume of the incredible Black Sabbath story. Black Sabbath’s farewell tour, ‘The End,’ begins on January 20, 2016 and it promises to surpass all previous tours with their most mesmerizing production ever. When this tour concludes, it will truly be the end, the end of one of the most legendary bands in Rock ‘n Roll history… Black Sabbath.” There is currently no word on whether a final album will be released, but as we all know we have heard them talk about it before. It’ll be interesting to see if this really is the end, but if you live in New England then you won’t have a chance to see this show. Check out the dates below:

Black Sabbath ‘The End’ 2016 Tour:

North American Tour Dates:

1/20 – Omaha, Neb. @ CenturyLink Center
1/22 – Chicago, Ill. @ United Center
1/25 – Minneapolis, Minn. @ Target Center
1/28 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan @ Sasktel Centre
1/30 – Edmonton, Alberta @ Rexall Centre
2/01 – Calgary, Ontario @ Scotiabank Saddledome
2/03 – Vancouver, British Columbia @ Rogers Arena
2/06 – Tacoma, Wash. @ Tacoma Dome
2/09 – San Jose, Calif. @ SAP Center
2/11 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Forum
2/13 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Mandalay Bay Events Center
2/15 – Denver, Colo. @ Pepsi Center
2/17 – Kansas City, Mo. @ Sprint Center
2/19 – Detroit, Mich. @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
2/21 – Hamilton, Ontario @ FirstOntario Centre
2/23 – Montreal, Quebec @ Bell Centre
2/25 – New York City, N.Y. @ Madison Square Garden

Australia/New Zealand Tour Dates:

4/15 – Perth @ Perth Arena
4/17 – Adelaide @ Entertainment Centre
4/19 – Melbourne @ Rod Laver Arena
4/23 – Sydney @ Allphones Arena
4/25 – Brisbane @ Entertainment Centre
4/28 – Auckland @ Vector Arena
4/30 – Dunedin @ Forsyth Barr Stadium

When Metal Bands Fight: Bill Ward Vs Black Sabbath: A Rock And Metal News Special Report

We have a new segment that I will try to do because being in a metal band can be just like high school and so here is the segment of When Metal Bands Fight and we are looking at the case of Bill Ward vs Black Sabbath. If you haven’t been paying attention at all to the drama that unfolded when Black Sabbath decided to record with Bill Ward then you have either been living under a rock or you just don’t give a hoot. Nevertheless, the drama continues as Bill Ward reheats the situation by going after frontman Ozzy Osbourne on the internet. On April 15TH, Bill ward came out and released a statement basically claiming he was not offered a fair enough deal by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne and hence is the reason he didn’t return to the lineup. Here is the statement he released regarding all the issues:

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 f–king 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

You obviously knew that it wouldn’t be long before Ozzy would answer what Bill Ward had to say in that statement above. You don’t call someone out and not expect them to respond to some pretty big claims. So on April 16TH, Ozzy released a statement of his own and read a little something like this:

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 f— 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 f—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

Ozzy makes some pretty substantial claims as we all knew that time was not of the essence for Tony Iommi who is battling cancer and so an obvious quick move had to be made at the time. Meanwhile the band had to cancel their “Farewell” gig at Ozzfest Japan to which many fans suspected that maybe Tony’s condition took a turn for the worse, but he responded saying, “Thank you for all the enquiries about my health, very kind. I’m not sure how the rumour of my being unwell started as I was away on holiday! Once you’ve had something like lymphoma the fear that it will return never leaves, all I can say is that right now I’m fine and have regular blood tests.” Meanwhile, on April 17TH, Bill Ward rebutted Ozzy’s statement telling Rolling Stone, “The truth is that I was overweight for playing onstage, but I wasn’t overweight for the studio. I could cut tracks with the weight that I arrived at. All of those guys know that I have a really rigorous exercise regimen. In August 2011, I started to drop weight because, at that point, I thought, “OK, we’re probably at five or six months away from actually doing a tour.” When we were in England, I was walking six miles before breakfast, I was doing bench presses, I was walking possibly two to three miles in the evening, and I was playing, like, three to four hours a day. I’m quite capable of playing a complete f—ing Black Sabbath set. So this health thing has been bandied around, and it’s true that I have heart disease, and it’s true that I did get sick a couple of years after the fact. But when the health card is being thrown around, the bottom line is that I really tried to take care of myself. Every day, I always look at the day and say, “Could I have played a gig today no matter what’s going on with me?” And the answer is always, ‘Yes.’ I’m much harder on me than those guys could ever be … I went through the loss of a dear friendship [with Ozzy]. I actually grieved the loss of his life in my life. It was f—ing terrible. I cried. It was really horrible. I thought, ‘My God, I don’t even know who this person is anymore.“Then on Saturday (April 18), Bill Ward posted a long open letter to Ozzy really responding to everything saying:

1. You never wanted to discuss in a public forum. BUT, you did by making all these public comments during your interviews for the 13 album and tour. I was only responding in kind. Don’t forget why I spoke out. If you had talked to me and shared your opinions privately, we wouldn’t be here today.

2. I was ready and in shape to record. I knew I would need to get in better shape for the gigs –same as I have needed to do and have done in the past. I was beginning my workout regime to get “tour ready.”   I knew what I needed to do to play the gigs, and I was confident I would be ready. I would not commit to an extensive tour without believing I could go all the way with it. I wouldn’t do that to our fans.

3. Shoulder Surgery. This was not a surgery that was an immediate necessity, or an emergency, or something that was prohibitive in terms of playing drums in Sabbath. It wasn’t anything like that. I would have elected to do the surgery after we finished touring, but since that didn’t come to pass, I scheduled it for the fall of 2013. My other surgery, yes was unexpected, but who among us knows what curve balls might be coming our way. Having had to recently cancel your own gigs, I think you could understand that and not hold someone to “what ifs”.

4. The “unsignable” contract isn’t a smokescreen – it’s the truth. I have been honest with our fans on where I stand. Your opinions of me are completely immaterial – they have nothing to do with my reason for not participating – the “unsignable” contract – that’s it. I wonder if I had signed it if any of this would have come up? I imagine we would have made an album and done a tour with the original line up in place.

Hey Oz,

It’s not going to work.

I can see you,

And, I read your statement.

Boy oh boy.

Well, I know I didn’t expect you to respond to my request of an apology. By the way, it’s pretty easy to go back and really look at what was truth and what was not.

I notice you’re including Tony and Geezer in being in full agreement, that with my health condition I couldn’t have played a two hour set with a drum solo. First time I’ve ever heard about a two hour show with a drum solo. But I’m asking you, not them. Why did you stay in the studio working with me? Why did we go to England for band rehearsals in August 2011? Why did we continue rehearsing in the Fall? Why did we make the announcement of 11/11/11? Why did you call me in late January 2012 asking me to come over to England to continue rehearsals? Why, if you thought I was so unhealthy, did you continue with me at all? You know why, Oz, because I was fine. I was playing. I was good to go.

I ran into no, zero, health problems until October 22^nd 2013. Oz, I could have played my ass off in 2012, all the way through to October 22^nd 2013. The shoulder operation was optional. It was quiet and I needed a wear and tear adjustment. I was fine. I could have gone without surgery. But listen to you, hitting back and hard, too.

I don’t believe a word of it. I am not an enemy. Eternity will show and serve as proof.

None of it, Oz.

I’m not going to own a fucking thing, other than I came into the studio initially overweight to tour, but not overweight to record. I was good to record. All of you know how much I put in, especially when I prepare to tour.

Your own anticipatory fear has got you by the balls. What fucking smokescreen, about an unsignable contract.

Yes, let’s get honest. I did.

It came out in my statement Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

I’m not playing (your quote). I never did. I don’t fuck with sincerity and honesty, period. I’ve done nothing but bring my truth to the fans. Man, you spin it real well. Sorry I can’t love you back, Oz. I put my love for you somewhere safe inside my heart in 2012 when your stories started showing up. It’s hard to love someone who thinks he’s telling the truth by making false claims, elitist comments and just plain rude statements.

It’ll show up, Oz, in your dreams, in your daily days. I’m clean and have nothing to feel doubtful about. All my actions have been of loyalty, honesty, and open-mindedness.

Stay safe old friend.

Sad we couldn’t roll it out for the fans one more time.

I read your speculation, and your what ifs, your doubts. I’m about as far away from being a victim as I am from Hell itself.

I would have loved to see the original lineup back together, but I do have to admit that Brad Wilk did a terrific job in the studio, but Sabbath just isn’t Sabbath without Bill. Let’s not forget that Bill Ward at one time quit Sabbath because he didn’t believe in going on without Ozzy anymore after being on the Heaven And Hell album. He was quoted saying, “It was intolerable for me to get on the stage without Ozzy. And I drank 24 hours a day, my alcoholism accelerated.” Time will only tell if the two sides ever reconcile and all we can do it wait and see. Stay tuned here for anymore info that comes along.

Album Of The Week: Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath

As I had stated before, for the entire month of October every post is horror or Halloween related to help celebrate this awesome month. To kick off this year’s fun, we are looking at the album that would change the music world forever. I am talking about the self titled debut album from the Godfathers of Heavy Metal Black Sabbath. The band released the album on February 13, 1970 in the UK and on June 1, 1970 in the states via their label Vertigo Records. The band which was made up of Ozzy Osbourne (Vocals), Tony Iommi (Guitar), Geezer Butler (Bass), and Bill Ward (Drums) were about to change the world even though the record was poorly received by critics at the time. The band’s music was slow and dark that it felt like doom through your speakers and the album cover alone was scary at the time. According to the band’s fearless leader Tony Iommi the album was recorded in one single day and he adds, “We just went in the studio and did it in a day, we played our live set and that was it. We actually thought a whole day was quite a long time, then off we went the next day to play for £20 in Switzerland.” The album cover features a depiction of the Mapledurham Watermill on the River Thimes in Oxfordshire with a woman dressed in black. Iommi has claimed that the band once knew who the woman was, but they couldn’t remember her name and that she had even showed up to a show once.

The album starts off with the eerie title track Black Sabbath which starts with some rainfall and a church bell before the infamous Diminished fifth/augmented fourth note known as Diablous In Musica which is said to be satanic. The lyrics are related to an experience Geezer Butler had after getting a book about witchcraft from Ozzy. Apparently, he had placed the book at the side of his bed before he went to sleep. When he had awoken, he said he saw a black figure standing at the end of his bed and it disappeared and the book was gone as well. The Wizard starts with the famous harmonica beginning by Ozzy which is said to be about a wizard who encourages people, but it could also be about their drug dealer. Behind The Wall Of Sleep is an amazing heavy blues track that is based on the Beyond The Wall Of Sleep story by H.P. Lovecraft and the song is a great build up to the next track on the record. N.I.B. has one of the coolest bass riffs from one of metal’s greatest bassist Geezer Butler who uses a wah wah pedal in the beginning before it kicks off with some real chunky riffs. The song is said to be about the devil falling in love and changing himself to become a good person, but Geezer claims the title isn’t what you think it is. The United States translated the title to mean Nativity In Black, but Geezer claims that he couldn’t think of a title to the song he penned, so he named it after Bill Ward’s beard which they called Nib, but he added the periods to bring more intrigue to the track.

Evil Woman (Don’t Play Your Games With Me) is the band covering the famous Crow track and Sabbath makes the song totally bad ass. Sleeping Village is another track on the record that is eerie and slow with clean guitars that make you feel as if you’re not safe before the band kicks up the volume and jams out with some of the shortest lyrics I think the band has ever written. It’s truly just the band showing their musical prowess and that they were just as good as any blues musician out there. Warning is the band’s 10 minute epic cover of The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation track showing how the English truly loved the blues. The band is truly at top of their game on this track from the musicianship to Ozzy’s vocals which are impressive and the song features some epic jamming and guitar solos. Wicked World was issued on the North American version of the album that came out and it was a bonus track on the UK edition. The song starts with some more epic jamming from the band and the song’s lyrics are ahead of it’s time as it talks about a world where people don’t care to help one another. This is definitely an album that made one hell of an impact on the world of metal creating genres like doom metal, etc. I am giving this album 4.1 stars out of five for a final grade

Big News For Ozzy and Black Sabbath Fans

As usual when a band announces that they are doing one last album and tour, you should never believe the hype. Of course, Black Sabbath benefited from that this past summer when everyone thought that the tour would be their last, but now Black Sabbath’s frontman Ozzy Osbourne has made a big announcement concerning the future of Sabbath. Tony Iommi had stated that he vowed to fans that Sabbath wasn’t dead yet (big emphasis on yet) and in an interview with Metal Hammer, Ozzy talks about the album 13 and the touring cycle, “The whole Sabbath experience this time around was great. We all made friends, we didn’t f— around, we all knew that we had a job to do, and we did it. It was a lot of fun. So we’re going to do one more album, and a final tour.” Ozzy continues to say, “Once the dust settled after the last tour we started discussing the idea, because we were getting asked about it all the time. I said to [his wife & manager] Sharon, ‘What’s going on? Because if there’s no more Sabbath, I want to get on with my own thing again,’ and she came back and said, ‘Let me look into it.’ Three weeks later, I asked her about it again, and she said, ‘Oh, I still have to talk to so and so…’ and I said ‘Sharon, I ain’t f—ing 21 anymore, if we’re going to do I want to do it before I’m 70!’ Time isn’t on our side! So she made the call and came back and said, ‘Yeah, the record company wants another album.’ I believe [producer] Rick Rubin is going to do it with us again.” So, there is some of the future of Sabbath spilled out right there for you. Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available.