BLACK SABBATH performed earlier tonight (Saturday, May 19) at the intimate 3,800-capacity O2 Academy in Birmingham, England as a warm-up for the band's upcoming appearance at the Download festival.
According to various fan reports, the setlist for the show was as follows:
01. Into The Void 02. Under The Sun 03. Snowblind 04. War Pigs 05. Wheels Of Confusion 06. Electric Funeral 07. Black Sabbath 08. The Wizard 09. Behind The Wall Of Sleep 10. N.I.B. 11. Fairies Wear Boots 12. Tomorrow's Dream 13. Sweet Leaf 14. Symptom Of The Universe (intro only) 15. Drum Solo 16. Iron Man 17. Dirty Women 18. Children Of The Grave
Commented BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler after the show: "Thank you, thank you, thank you Birmingham. Best fans ever — you brought out the best in us. It was a privilege playing for you tonight. Tony [Iommi, SABBATH guitarist] was a hero — you were the best medicine he has had. Proud to be a Brummie."
According to Black-Sabbath.com, tonight's concert was professionally recorded and filmed.
BLACK SABBATH's first performance in the band's hometown in 13 years — and their first concert since 2005 — featured three-quarters of the legendary heavy metal act's original lineup — guitarist Tony Iommi, singer Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Geezer Butler. Tommy Clufetos, a member of Ozzy's solo band, is filling in for original SABBATH drummer Bill Ward, who is sitting out the group's reunion shows due to a contractual dispute with his bandmates.
All tickets for tonight's show reportedly sold out within 10 minutes of going on sale on May 4.
BLACK SABBATH was supposed to tour the Europe and North America this year as part of a worldwide trek in support of a new album, but Iommi's cancer diagnosis put those plans on hold.
Ozzy, Iommi and Butler recently spent time in London recording their first album together in 33 years, although without drummer Bill Ward it is not the original SABBATH reunion announced last November.
BLACK SABBATH has been confirmed for this year's Lollapalooza festival, which takes place on August 3-5 at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois.
BLACK SABBATH - Quality Fan-Filmed Video Of 'Paranoid' Performance In Birmingham Online, Additional Footage Available
BLACK SABBATH hit the stage on May 19th at the O2 Academy in Birmingham, England for the band's first performance in their home city in 13 years. The anxiously anticipated (partial) reunion featured guitarist Tony Iommi, singer Ozzy Osbourne, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Tommy Clufetos replacing original skinsman Bill Ward.
Fan-filmed footage of the band in action can be seen below:
Butler commented after the show: "Thank you, thank you, thank you Birmingham. Best fans ever - you brought out the best in us. It was a privilege playing for you tonight. Tony was a hero - you were the best medicine he has had. Proud to be a Brummie."
According to BraveWords.com sources, the Sabbath show was filmed/recorded for future use.
Black Sabbath's set-list:
'Into The Void' 'Under The Sun' 'Snowblind' 'War Pigs' 'Wheels Of Confusion' 'Electric Funeral' 'Black Sabbath' 'The Wizard' 'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' 'N.I.B.' 'Fairies Wear Boots' 'Lord Of This World' 'Tomorrow's Dream' 'Sweet Leaf' (edit) 'Symptom Of The Universe' (edit) Drum solo 'Iron Man' 'Dirty Women' 'Children Of the Grave' 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath' (edit) 'Paranoid'
BILL WARD
BLACK SABBATH: BILL WARD Asked Us To Remove His Images From Official Web Site -
Original BLACK SABBATH members Tony Iommi (guitar), Ozzy Osbourne (vocals) and Geezer Butler (bass) have released the following statement:
"At the request of [original BLACK SABBATH drummer] Bill Ward, through his attorney, so as to not give the public the wrong impression about his involvement in the current BLACK SABBATH lineup, we have temporarily removed Bill Ward's images from the main pages of the BlackSabbath.com official website. In accordance with Bill Ward's attorney's request, we are doing so for the duration of the forthcoming shows."
BLACK SABBATH played a hometown concert in Birmingham, England earlier tonight (Saturday, May 19) as a warm-up show for the band's appearance at the Download festival at Donington next month. Tommy Clufetos, a member of Ozzy's solo band, is filling in for original SABBATH drummer Bill Ward, who is sitting out the group's reunion shows due to a contractual dispute with his bandmates.
A furor erupted online in 2007 after photos of Michael Anthony at the official VAN HALEN web site were either removed or replaced by an image of guitarist Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang, who played bass on the group's recent album and tour. The photos were restored less than two days later.
BLACK SABBATH
BLACK SABBATH: Birmingham Concert Setlist Revealed? -
Kamran Haq, concert promoter at Mutiny Events, has tweeted a picture of what he claims is the setlist for tonight's (Saturday, May 19) BLACK SABBATH headlining performance at the 3,800-capacity O2 Academy in Birmingham, England. Kamran writes, "I'm at the show! Setlist was in front of me so grabbed a pic!" He also posted a photo of SABBATH's pre-concert soundcheck, which can be seen below.
The setlist is as follows:
01. Into The Void 02. Under The Sun 03. Snowblind 04. War Pigs 05. Wheels Of Confusion 06. Electric Funeral 07. Black Sabbath 08. The Wizard 09. Behind The Wall Of Sleep 10. N.I.B. 11. Fairies Wear Boots 12. Lord Of This World 13. Tomorrow's Dream 14. Sweet Leaf 15. Symptom Of The Universe 16. Drum Solo 17. Iron Man 18. Dirty Women 19. Children Of the Grave 20. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 21. Paranoid
BLACK SABBATH's first performance in the band's hometown in 13 years will feature three-quarters of the legendary heavy metal act's original lineup — guitarist Tony Iommi, singer Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Geezer Butler. Tommy Clufetos, a member of Ozzy's solo band, is filling in for original SABBATH drummer Bill Ward, who is sitting out the group's reunion shows due to a contractual dispute with his bandmates.
All tickets for tonight's show reportedly sold out within 10 minutes of going on sale on May 4.
BLACK SABBATH was supposed to tour the Europe and North America this year as part of a worldwide trek in support of a new album, but guitarist Tony Iommi's cancer diagnosis put those plans on hold.
Ozzy, Iommi and Butler recently spent time in London recording their first album together in 33 years, although without drummer Bill Ward it is not the original SABBATH reunion announced last November.
Soundcheck photo:
THIS GUY IS THE NEW OZ...OH, SORRY, THE NEW BLACK SABBATH DRUMMER
GEEZER BUTLER Says BLACK SABBATH Has Been Rehearsing With Drummer TOMMY CLUFETOS
BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler has released the following statement:
"I feel sad to see the SABBATH reunion becoming a bit of a soap opera on the Internet.
"It has been a very tough year for us as a band, having announced our reunion plans, only for Tony [Iommi, guitar] to be diagnosed with lymphoma, leaving us no choice but to postpone the proposed SABBATH tour, and then for Bill [Ward, drums] to go public on his site about an unsignable contract.
"None of us knew how Tony was going to respond to his intensive chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Ozzy [Osbourne, vocals] and myself flew to England to be with Tony, and on his 'good' days, we'd meet at his home studio and put ideas together for the upcoming album, all sitting down together, no drummer involved, just three of us quietly putting together ideas. We thought that when we had enough songs together for a full band rehearsal, we'd move back to L.A and put the whole thing together with Bill. Unfortunately, to our surprise, Bill issued a statement on his site saying he'd been offered an unsignable contract. He hadn't told any one of us he was having contractual problems, and frankly, those things are worked out between our representatives, and never between the four of us, let alone in public.
"We had the idea of keeping just one show in this year, hoping that Tony would be well enough for that show, and that things with Bill would be sorted.
"As you may expect, a one-off show at Donnington festival (Download) costs an absolute fortune to stage, involving over 50 people, transport, airfares, hotels, meals, agents, promoters, accountants, lawyers etc, so none of us, expected to make much money from it — it was a one-off SABBATH show for the fans, before we go into recording the new album. Apparently, this wasn't acceptable to Bill's representatives; they wanted an amount that was so unrealistic that it seemed to have been a joke. So we resigned ourselves to doing Download without Bill, hoping he'd change his mind and at least make a guest appearance.
"We started rehearsals a few weeks ago with Tommy Cluefetos, the drummer who will be on the 'Ozzy And Friends' tour. Brilliant drummer and good bloke. It was decided we'd better do a warm-up show, to break the ice since we haven't played together live. The O2 Academy was available in Birmingham, where we were rehearsing, so we decided on that, and to make a donation to Help For Heroes charity, since we'd be ironing out any glitches we may have. Then Bill put out a further statement saying he'd been ready to play the Birmingham show , but he was expected to have to do it 'for free.' Well, I think that's basically how you raise money from gigs for charity — you play them 'for free.'
"All I am saying is that there are two sides to everything.
"I do hope to play with Bill again some day. For whatever reason, it wasn't meant to be this time. Bill's made his decision, and I have to respect that. Hopefully this painful year will be worth the wait for the new SABBATH album and end in joy and happiness for all."
Ozzy Osbourne and his solo band (including drummer Tommy Clufetos) performing BLACK SABBATH classic "War Pigs" on January 24, 2011 in San Antonio, Texas:
GEEZER BUTLER
This morning, a mere hours before the O2 gig, Geezer Butler posted something on his own site entitled “Heavy Heart“. It’s his thoughts on Black Sabbath, the O2 gig, Bill Ward, Tommy Clufetos, & charity concerts. You don’t want to read me talking about it, I’ll get straight to the statement:
I feel sad to see the Sabbath reunion becoming a bit of a soap opera on the internet. It has been a very tough year for us as a band, having announced our reunion plans, only for Tony to be diagnosed with lymphoma, leaving us no choice but to postpone the proposed Sabbath tour, and then for Bill to go public on his site about an un-signable contract. None of us knew how Tony was going to respond to his intensive chemo therapy, and radiotherapy. Ozzy and myself flew to England to be with Tony, and on his “good” days, we’d meet at his home studio and put ideas together for the upcoming album, all sitting down together, no drummer involved, just 3 of us quietly putting together ideas. We thought that when we had enough songs together for a full band rehearsal, we’d move back to L.A and put the whole thing together with Bill. Unfortunately, to our surprise, Bill issued a statement on his site saying he’d been offered an un-signable contract. He hadn’t told any one of us he was having contractual problems, and frankly those things are worked out between our representatives, and never between the four of us let alone in public. We had the idea of keeping just one show in this year, hoping that Tony would be well enough for that show, and that things with Bill would be sorted. As you may expect, a one off show at Donnington Festival (Download) costs an absolute fortune to stage, involving over 50 people, transport, air fares, hotels, meals, agents, promotors, accountants, lawyers etc, so none of us, expected to make much money from it- it was a one off Sabbath show for the fans, before we go into recording the new album. Apparently, this wasn’t acceptable to Bill’s representatives, they wanted an amount that was so unrealistic that it seemed to have been a joke. So we resigned ourselves to doing Download without Bill, hoping he’d change his mind and at least make a guest appearance. We started rehearsals a few weeks ago with Tommy Cluefetos, the drummer who will be on the Ozzy and Friends Tour. Brilliant drummer and good bloke. It was decided we’d better do a warm up show, to break the ice since we haven’t played together live. The O2 Academy was available in Birmingham, where we were rehearsing, so we decided on that, and to make a donation to Help For Heroes Charity, since we’d be ironing out any glitches we may have. Then Bill put out a further statement saying he’d been ready to play the Birmingham show , but he was expected to have to do it “for free”- well, I think that’s basically how you raise money from gigs for charity – you play them “for free”.
All I am saying is that there are two sides to everything. I do hope to play with Bill again some day. For whatever reason; it wasn’t meant to be this time. Bill’s made his decision, and I have to respect that. Hopefully this painful year will be worth the wait for the new Sabbath album and end in joy and happiness for all.
Stay frosty, Geezer
VINNY APPICE
KILL DEVIL HILL's VINNY APPICE: 'I'm Not Into The Screaming Thing'
Courtney Devores of CharlotteObserver.com recently conducted an interview with legendary drummer Vinny Appice (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL, KILL DEVIL HILL).
When asked about the formation of KILL DEVIL HILL — which also features Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN) on bass, Mark Zavon (RATT, W.A.S.P., 40 CYCLE HUM) on guitar and Jason "Dewey" Bragg (PISSING RAZORS) on vocals — Vinny said, "I had a long career, but since I was a kid, I wanted to have my own band. It was a dream, and it never really happened. I always wound up playing with SABBATH or DIO, and it always got in the way. . . It went from me by myself and getting Rex in the band, who is a known player, and then we got a deal. [I thought] 'Wow. This is cool.' We did a tour in a bus. We didn't sleep in the car. We just got nominated for best debut album in Germany."
Appice previously described KILL DEVIL HILL's sound is "like a cross between BLACK SABBATH, ALICE IN CHAINS and a little bit of LED ZEPPELIN thrown in. It's heavy, but with a lot of cool hooks and melodic overtones, too."
Vinny told CharlotteObserver.com: "I'm not into the screaming thing. I like playing heavy loud music, but I'm not into that. I grew up in a different era where there was melody and harmonies. They don't have to be nice. They can be weird and minor key and dark. Dewey can go for it. There are great melodies on the album and hooks. But yet it's still dark. It's not happy."
KILL DEVIL HILL's self-titled debut album will be released via SPV/Steamhammer on the following dates:
U.S./Canada: May 22 Germany: May 25 Rest Of Europe: May 28
"Kill Devil Hill" was produced by Warren Riker, who is best known for his work with DOWN, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SUBLIME and CATHEDRAL. The effort will be available in a standard CD edition, as an iTunes digital download, and double gatefold LP.
"Revenge" audio stream:
"Voodoo Doll" audio stream:
"Time & Time Again" audio stream:
19 MAY 2012
Position du Blogmaster: Fallait-il réactiver Black Sabbath avec Ozzy Osbourne? Réponse sans hésitation: NON, un grand NON massif et ferme! Fallait-il ruiner une nouvelle fois l'image du groupe? NON! Fallait-il croire en l'annonce médiatique du 11.11.11 ? NON! C'est aussi crédible qu'une promesse électorale ! Cette fois la preuve en est flagrante, le groupe se retrouve sans Bill Ward, sans tournée, et la cerise, le site officiel vient d'effacer Bill Ward de toutes les vieilles photos! Un comble, de l'humour Black of course! Juger par vous même, ce doit-être de l'humour anglais! Sharon pourrait (je pense) même pousser le vice à réenregistrer les parties de batterie des albums de Sabbath par un gugus (comme les deux premiers albums solos d'Ozzy) ce serait une bonne idée? J'espère qu'elle y songe!!! Ah,ah! Car là, nous sommes au fond du trou! Bravo pour ce Sabotage, Ronnie James Dio nous manque plus que jamais, je regrette aussi la bonne époque de Tony Martin avec des albums studios et des tournées, bref, la vie d'un groupe! Désolé, mais Black Sabbath ne fait plus rêver... juste poindre un peu plus la nostalgie des bonnes années... les pseudos retours d'Ozzy depuis des lustres ne sont que des fiascos... sans album studio, et avec des tournées moyennes sans magie.
whos playing drums now?? ozzy's drummer, that will complete the joke that this reunion is.. (complete yourself!)
THE ULTIMATE SIN !
Extracting Bill Ward's face from all photographs on the website? That is simply one of the most dastardly, chickenshit things I have ever seen done in my 40-some years of watching rock and roll. Definitely the maneuver with the least class,... and disrespect. Bill's statements have been filled with love and respect. Black Sabbath's responses have been shallow and cold. Two sides to every story? Then tell yours' Black Sabbath and stop hiding. If Bill can't hack it - say so. If he wants more than his share financially - say so. If there is a reasonable explanation for this shameful display, please help us to understand what it is. Currently, you look shameful and sad. That is not how we wish to feel about you. We love the band, we love the individual members, but this is looking extremely tawdry. Just give us the truth about YOUR FRIEND, Bill Ward.
From Official Black Sabbath site:
Black Sabbath Members Comment on Bill Ward
We have decided not to make any detailed comment on Bill's latest statement. There are two sides to every story. We have been working hard at rehearsals making excellent progress after Tony's treatments and we have engaged a substitute drummer for the forthcoming shows. See you at Download
Fans comments:
How lame to block out Bill Ward's image off the front page. What are you guys...like 5 years old? I don't even know if I want to buy your new album now. The way your greed is getting in the way of years of friendship is pathetic.
totally agreed, nobody gave you the right of doing this to Bill, he is as fucking important to the band's legacy as any other one, so you guys should stop whining like lame elementary school children and at least, seriously, AT LEAST, not edited the pictures as you did. This is already enough to make me lose my complete respect towards the other three fourths and whoever else is backing you guys with this pathetic decision
I don't know why Bill Ward decided not to participate; however, to completely edit him out of all past photos is a low blow. Sabbath is not Sabbath without Bill Ward. Play without him if you must but do the right thing and remember where the hell you came from!
This is pathetic! Excluding Bill from the photos on the front of this site is a disservice to the legacy of the band and it makes you guys look childish. Any reasonable person knows there's two sides to every story, but outright ignoring the chorus of unhappy voices from fans makes you guys look petty. I won't purchase a 'reunion' album with 3/4 of the band. Hopefully a lot of fans do the same.
The true cancer of Tony Iommi is $haron!
Like a girlfriend cutting out the face of her ex on the photos.....so juvenile and non classy
BILL WARD GAME OVER !
BILL WARD Removed From Photos On BLACK SABBATH's Official Web Site -
Drummer Bill Ward has been removed from all the photos on the homepage and gallery section of BLACK SABBATH's official web site after he announced that he was unable to to reach a contractual agreement with his bandmates about participating in their upcoming reunion shows.
In response to the move, Tony Conley of the Facebook page 1,000,000 Black Sabbath Fans Say Yes To Bill Ward wrote, "That is simply one of the most dastardly, chickenshit things I have ever seen done in my 40-some years of watching rock and roll. Definitely the maneuver with the least class, and disrespect.
"Bill's statements have been filled with love and respect. BLACK SABBATH's responses have been shallow and cold.
"Two sides to every story? Then tell yours, BLACK SABBATH, and stop hiding. If Bill can't hack it — say so. If he wants more than his share financially — say so. If there is a reasonable explanation for this shameful display, please help us to understand what it is. Currently, you look shameful and sad. That is not how we wish to feel about you.
"Your fans deserve better, Bill deserves better, and you deserve better."
BLACK SABBATH will play a hometown concert in Birmingham, England tomorrow night (Saturday, May 19) as a warm-up show for the band's appearance at the Download festival at Donington next month. SABBATH has hired a replacement drummer for the upcoming gigs but has yet to reveal the musician's identiry.
A furor erupted online in 2007 after photos of Michael Anthony at the official VAN HALEN web site were either removed or replaced by an image of guitarist Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang, who played bass on the group's recent album and tour. The photos were restored less than two days later.
BLACK SABBATH Signs Deal With Merchandising Company BRAVADO -
One of the most iconic rock bands of all time, BLACK SABBATH, has signed with the world's leading music merchandising company, Bravado, a division of Universal Music Group. The announcement was made today by Tom Bennett, CEO, Bravado.
BLACK SABBATH, consisting of the legendary Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi, is one of the most influential bands of all time. Their albums, including the quadruple platinum "Paranoid", released in 1970, helped define the genre of hard rock. Frequently cited as one of the greatest hard rock and metal bands of all time, BLACK SABBATH has sold 70 million albums worldwide. They were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006.
Bravado will commemorate the launch of the BLACK SABBATH collection with contests held in the U.S., U.K. and Germany for fans and budding T-shirt designers to create their own BLACK SABBATH-inspired merchandise. In the USA, Hot Topic will sponsor a "Design Your Own Black Sabbath T-Shirt" and in the U.K., HMV will sponsor the same, with one lucky winner having his/her creation sold exclusively at that store. The winning designer will also receive a lithograph signed by the members of BLACK SABBATH. In Germany, the leading mail-order company EMP, with sponsor the contest, with the winning design sold exclusively in their catalog and online.
"Bravado is dedicated to working with the most talented and most popular artists of our time," stated CEO Tom Bennett. "To many, BLACK SABBATH transcends their music. They not only created a genre, but they then elevated it to have a place in pop culture. I can't wait to see what kind of products they will create with us."
In June 2012, BLACK SABBATH will co-headline the Download festival, a three-day rock music festival held annually at Donnington Park, England, and then perform in August at the Lollapalooza festival in the Chicago, Illinois area.
SHIT!
Good now they can use that merchandising money to get Bill ward back
GEEZER BUTLER
BLACK SABBATH Bassist On Tomorrow's Hometown Gig: 'Rehearsals Are Finally Finished'
BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler has issued the following statement in regards to the band's homecoming concert tomorrow night (Saturday, May 19) at the O2 Academy in Birmingham, England:
"Well, rehearsals are finally finished, and now for the nervous part, playing our hometown gig. Since it is a warm-up show, there will probably be a few glitches, but remember it's all in a good cause, since we'll be donating to the Help For Heroes charity, a fantastic charity that helps our troops who have been wounded in recent wars. No matter what your feelings about the wars are, these men and women willingly dedicate their lives for our defence and freedom. I hope the people who are making profits by re-selling the tickets to real fans find it in their hearts to do the right thing and donate at least some of their gains to the charity. Here is the link. Thanks for caring. Geezer."
Drummer Bill Ward officially announced on Tuesday (May 15) that he will not be joining BLACK SABBATH for this year's performances. In a long message posted on his web site, Ward explained that he was simply unable to come to terms with his bandmates. The drummer claimed that the group asked him to participate "minimally" at the band's Download festival set in the U.K. in June, then later offered him the chance to play a Birmingham warm-up show on May 19 "for free and see how the first show goes" without any guarantee that he'd get to perform at the other concerts, which he ultimately turned down. He said, "I can't prioritize the SABBATH fans making one show more important than the other. I can't do that. All of you are important. It's all the gigs or none at all. I can't come to Birmingham and 'see what happens' knowing there is a risk of not being able to play Download or Lollapalooza. Again, for me, it's all or nothing. I didn't want to make this decision, but I have to be honest and transparent."
BLACK SABBATH was supposed to tour the Europe and North America this year as part of a worldwide trek in support of a new album, but Tony Iommi's cancer diagnosis put those plans on hold.
Ozzy, Iommi and Butler recently spent time in London recording their first album together in 33 years, although without Ward it is not the original SABBATH reunion announced last November.
The rest of SABBATH's scheduled European summer gigs will be replaced by "Ozzy And Friends", at which the singer will be joined by Butler, former Ozzy guitarist Zakk Wylde and other special guests, including Slash on selected dates.
THE DRUMMER JOKE
BLACK SABBATH: 'We Have Engaged A Substitute Drummer For The Forthcoming Shows' -
BLACK SABBATH members Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Ozzy Osbourne (vocals) have released the following statement:
"We have decided not to make any detailed comment on Bill's latest statement. There are two sides to every story. We have been working hard at rehearsals making excellent progress after Tony's treatments and we have engaged a substitute drummer for the forthcoming shows. See you at Download."
Ward officially announced on Tuesday (May 15) that he will not be joining BLACK SABBATH for this year's performances. In a long message posted on his web site, Ward explained that he was simply unable to come to terms with his bandmates. The drummer claimed that the group asked him to participate "minimally" at the band's Download festival set in the U.K. in June, then later offered him the chance to play a Birmingham warm-up show on May 19 "for free and see how the first show goes" without any guarantee that he'd get to perform at the other concerts, which he ultimately turned down. He said, "I can't prioritize the SABBATH fans making one show more important than the other. I can't do that. All of you are important. It's all the gigs or none at all. I can't come to Birmingham and 'see what happens' knowing there is a risk of not being able to play Download or Lollapalooza. Again, for me, it's all or nothing. I didn't want to make this decision, but I have to be honest and transparent."
BLACK SABBATH was supposed to tour the Europe and North America this year as part of a worldwide trek in support of a new album, but Tony Iommi's cancer diagnosis put those plans on hold.
Ozzy, Iommi and Butler recently spent time in London recording their first album together in 33 years, although without Ward it is not the original SABBATH reunion announced last November.
The rest of SABBATH's scheduled European summer gigs will be replaced by "Ozzy And Friends", at which the singer will be joined by Butler, former Ozzy guitarist Zakk Wylde and other special guests, including Slash on selected dates.
BLACK SABBATH's Geezer Butler On Saturday's Birmingham Gig - "We'll Be Donating To The Help For Heroes Charity
BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler has issued the following statement in regards to the band's hometown return to the O2 Academy in Birmingham, England tomorrow, May 19th:
"Well, rehearsals are finally finished, and now for the nervous part, playing our hometown gig. Since it is a warm-up show, there will probably be a few glitches, but remember it’s all in a good cause, since we’ll be donating to the Help For Heroes charity, a fantastic charity that helps our troops who have been wounded in recent wars. No matter what your feelings about the wars are, these men and women willingly dedicate their lives for our defence and freedom. I hope the people who are making profits by re-selling the tickets to real fans find it in their hearts to do the right thing and donate at least some of their gains to the charity.
The members of Black Sabbath - guitarist Tony Iommi, singer Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler - have issued the following brief comment regarding drummer Bill Ward's statement that he won't be taking part in the reunion album or shows:
"We have decided not to make any detailed comment on Bill's latest statement. There are two sides to every story. We have been working hard at rehearsals making excellent progress after Tony's treatments and we have engaged a substitute drummer for the forthcoming shows. See you at Download."
The three original members of Sabbath - Iommi, Osbourne and Butler - are currently working on their first studio album in thirty three years and first since 1978's Never Say Die! The band will soon announce the drummer for their hometown return to the O2 Academy on May 19th, UK’s Download Festival on June 10th and the Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago which runs from August 3rd-5th.
BLACK SABBATH Remove Photos Of Bill Ward From Official Site
In an obvious move to hit back at drummer Bill Ward's statement about not taking part in the reunion, BLACK SABBATH have pulled all his photos off their official website. All that remain are hilariously edited shots of guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and singer Ozzy Osbourne.
Earlier this week Sabbath issued the following brief comment regarding drummer Bill Ward's statement that he won't be taking part in the reunion album or shows:
"We have decided not to make any detailed comment on Bill's latest statement. There are two sides to every story. We have been working hard at rehearsals making excellent progress after Tony's treatments and we have engaged a substitute drummer for the forthcoming shows. See you at Download."
The three original members of Sabbath - Iommi, Osbourne and Butler - are currently working on their first studio album in thirty three years and first since 1978's Never Say Die! The band will soon announce the drummer for their hometown return to the O2 Academy in Birmingham tomorrow (May 19th), UK’s Download Festival on June 10th and the Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago which runs from August 3rd-5th.
BOB DAISLEY
BOB DAISLEY To Serve As Patron Of 'Rock The House' Live Music Competition -
Legendary bassist Bob Daisley (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, URIAH HEEP, GARY MOORE) will serve a patron for Rock The House, the parliamentary live music competition which supports the U.K. live music industry and promotes the importance of intellectual property rights.
Rock The House sees MPs (Members of Parliament) nominate the best live musicians and music venue from their constituencies. Now in its second year, it has become the single most participated-in Parliamentary competition with a massive 165 MPs submitting nominations — including the Prime Minister David Cameron and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Jeremy Hunt.
The finalists will be announced on May 23, with the live finals competition being held on May 30 in last year's joint winner in the live music venue category, the Bedford in Balham. Winners will be invited to play a live set on the terrace of the House of Commons in the evening.
I've been thinking of you old friend while dealing with my own health issues over the last 6 months and remembering the good times - Tony Iommi.
Ronald – 2 years – still missing you -Geezer Butler
VINNY APPICE
VINNY APPICE, MIKE PORTNOY: Video Footage Of Flint 'Drum-Off' -
ADRENALINE MOB and KILL DEVIL HILL have joined forces for a short co-headlining tour. The trek kicked off on May 10 in Cleveland and will make stops in Dallas, Chicago and Orlando before wrapping up in Charlotte on May 22. The shows features KILL DEVIL HILL followed by ADRENALINE MOB and then end in all-out jam between the two groups.
ADRENALINE MOB is the band featuring featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen, guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP) and DISTURBED bassist John Moyer.
KILL DEVIL HILL consists of Vinny Appice (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO) on drums, Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN) on bass, Mark Zavon (RATT, W.A.S.P., 40 CYCLE HUM) on guitar and Jason "Dewey" Bragg (PISSING RAZORS) on vocals.
Fan-filmed video footage of Portnoy and Appice's "drum-off" during the May 11 concert at The Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan can be seen below.
ADRENALINE MOB's debut album, "Omertá", which sold around 6,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 70 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released in Europe on March 19 in Europe via Century Media Records and in the U.S. on March 13 through the newly formed Elm City Music in conjunction with EMI Label Services.
The 11-song effort — which was produced by ADRENALINE MOB and mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked on ANTHRAX's "Worship Music" and STEEL PANTHER's "Balls Out" — includes a blistering reinterpretation of DURAN DURAN's classic "Come Undone" featuring guest vocals by Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM.
The self-titled debut album from KILL DEVIL HILL — the band featuring Vinny Appice (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO) on drums, Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN) on bass, Mark Zavon (RATT, W.A.S.P., 40 CYCLE HUM) on guitar and Jason "Dewey" Bragg (PISSING RAZORS) on vocals — will be released via SPV/Steamhammer on the following dates:
U.S./Canada: May 22 Germany: May 25 Rest Of Europe: May 28
"Kill Devil Hill" was originally due on March 27 but had its release date pushed back so that the band could record another track at the last minute. The group explained, "It was decided that a song that was to be a bonus track might be released as a single, so in order to include that song on the CD we needed an additional track to include as a bonus in its place."
"Kill Devil Hill" was produced by Warren Riker, who is best known for his work with DOWN, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SUBLIME and CATHEDRAL. The effort will be available in a standard CD edition, as an iTunes digital download, and double gatefold LP.
According to Appice, KILL DEVIL HILL's sound is "like a cross between BLACK SABBATH, ALICE IN CHAINS and a little bit of LED ZEPPELIN thrown in. It's heavy, but with a lot of cool hooks and melodic overtones, too."
Ex-DIO Keyboardist On Playing With CAMPBELL, APPICE And BAIN Again: 'We Recaptured The Vibe'
Former DIO and current DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell revealed late last month that he is planning to join forces with three other original DIO members to play "some gigs" that will see the musicians performing material from the early DIO records that Campbell appeared on. Campbell, Vinny Appice (drums), Jimmy Bain (bass) and Claude Schnell (keyboards) will be accompanied by singer Andrew Freeman, who has previously fronted HURRICANE and LYNCH MOB.
In a May 14 interview with Jason Saulnier of the MusicLegends.ca web site (hear audio below), Schnell explained how the reunion of the former DIO bandmates came about. "We got together for a coincidental play a few weeks ago," he said. "And what was initially supposed to be just kind of a fun hang to see what would come of it. I mean, it had been — amazingly — 26 years since we had all been in the same room together, since Viv's exit post the 'Sacred Heart' album. So we got together just to have a play for fun, and it turned out to be more than just fun. It was a a lot of fun, and as chance would have it, it actually sounded quite good. I think we were all a little bit surprised at not only by how good it sounded, but more importantly, how good it felt, and how authentic it felt, and how familiar everything seemed; it was kind of like walking through some kind of a time portal. I mean, basically, we recaptured — I think — the vibe that we had all those years ago, and it just seemed like an obvious next step to maybe proceed with this a little bit further."
On what it felt like to playing with his former DIO bandmates again:
Schnell: "For the most part, we had all been in touch over the years anyway. I speak with Vinny very, very often — probably on a weekly basis, I would say. And Viv and I kind of keep in touch. We have some mutual friends. We share an auto mechanic, for one thing. So we kind of keep tabs on each other and keep in touch in that regard. But Jimmy, actually, I don't think anybody had heard from in a long time. And it was actually a chance encounter with Viv at this past NAMM [convention] in January [in Anaheim, California], when I had approached him to perhaps get together with me to work on some stuff that I had been trying to pursue that the subject of maybe getting together for a play with the old guys kind of came up. I know Viv had done an impromptu play with, I think it was STEEL PANTHER at the House Of Blues, if I'm not mistaken. And he was energized from that performance to the point of saying, 'Yeah, we should get together with Jimmy and Vinny.' So Viv got everybody's e-mails and got everybody in touch with each other, and we got together, and again, it felt like old times. [We gave each other] a couple of bro hugs, and within an instant we were off and playing. And also, Andrew, the singer with whom we did that initial rehearsal, is somebody that Vinny had played with when he was playing with George Lynch in LYNCH MOB. And I had briefly done some work with Andrew on some of my projects. So they were very familiar faces, and it felt very organic and very natural."
On the new band's tentative plan to play some shows under the name LAST IN LINE:
Schnell: "[To call the band LAST IN LINE is] the plan at the moment; that seems to be the consensus, and from the e-mails that I have received and from the various commentaries that I have seen through the social sites and online, it's been getting a very good response, so I think that's probably gonna be the name that will survive. And also, it's kind of a subtle nod to how, in his last efforts, when Ronnie did the [BLACK] SABBATH reunion of sorts, even though they couldn't call it SABBATH, they chose to use the name of the first album on which Ronnie played with SABBATH. Similarly, the first DIO album on which we all played together — myself included — was 'The Last In Line'. And I think LAST IN LINE works better as a band name than HOLY DIVER does anyway, so…"
On the first LAST IN LINE rehearsal:
Schnell: "I think 'Holy Diver' was the first [song] that we played. And interestingly, too, because the song starts with just the instruments alone, I think all of us had kind of a memory anticipation of the next thing we were gonna hear being Ronnie's voice. Because other than the obvious and notable absence of Ronnie's voice, it sounded exactly like it sounded back in the day. It was very, I guess, duplicitious. On the one hand, it felt great to be playing this music again and to have the authenticity and the strength and the power and all of the things that go with playing with such notable material, but the absence of Ronnie being no longer with us to sing it became painfully obvious as we progressed through the session. Not to take anything away from Andrew's performance — he did an outstanding job, and if he didn't, I don't believe that he'd be the one that we'd be pursuing the project with. But he did a very, very good job. His online comments about 'preparing to be the world's most hated singer notwithstanding,' I think he's going to do a very credible and very impressive job of covering this material."
"Sadly, none of us really remembered all the songs all the way through exactly the same way, but it didn't really matter. As a testament, I think, to Ronnie's work ethic, having played together for so long and having had so much repetition back when we did play together, it didn't matter, and I think the momentum and inertia of how strong the music is just carried us through and we basically got through it all. Probably the largest component of that is the military Swiss clock that Vinny and Jimmy provide when they play together. I mean, I don't think there's a better rhythm section in rock out there."
On LAST IN LINE's setlist:
Schnell: "Well, it's largely gonna be material from the first three albums — 'Holy Diver', 'The Last In Line' and 'Sacred Heart' — the albums on which Viv played. I don't think we're gonna be doing any material from the albums on which Craig [Goldy, Vivian's replacement in DIO] played and the later incarnations of the band. But, fortunately, there is no shortage of material and hits on those first few records, so you can count on 'Rainbow In The Dark' and 'Holy Diver' and 'Rock And Roll Children', and so forth and so on. The list goes on and on, on and on."
On LAST IN LINE's touring plans:
Schnell: "We've been putting out some feelers and getting some kind of feedback about… Actually, [there is] a very strong international interest in seeing this back on the road. Again, this is all kind of very ironic and surprising, because quite honestly, initially, the only interest in doing this is a bunch of friends getting together to have a play and socialize a little bit and kind of catch up. But, like I said, it just seemed so organic once we started playing that the notion of doing it more than once seemed inevitable. And, of course, with that being considered, then it was an obvious conclusion that, 'Well, let's see if anybody would be interested in hearing this.' Needless to say, the ears that were listening within the rehearsal hall were on fire. There was an awful lot of, 'Hey, that sounds like that band from way back when.'"
On Vivian's involvement with LAST IN LINE:
Schnell: "I'm not terribly familiar with what Viv's following has been post-DIO. I mean, I know everything that he's done, but it seems to me that he is largely defined by what he did on those first few albums, and I'm here to tell that, believe me, every bit of fire he had back in the day is still well in place and is just chomping at the bit, waiting to break out."
Campbell and Ronnie James Dio worked together on the first three DIO albums 1983's "Holy Diver", 1984's "The Last in Line" and 1985's "Sacred Heart" — before Irishman Campbell left to join WHITESNAKE in 1987. Their subsequent relationship was strained, to say the least.
In a June 2011 interview with Share My Guitar, Vivian was asked about his "falling out" with Ronnie and how Dio's passing affected him. "It's not so much that we had a falling out. Ronnie and I never really had much in common other than the music," he said. "There was a real age difference between us. When I joined DIO, I had just turned twenty. Ronnie was a lot older. I'm sure it was just as uncomfortable for him as it was for me. We had this very awkward kind of relationship where we found it very hard to communicate with each other. It was like being in a band with your stepdad. It was really weird. Then Ronnie fired me. A lot of people think I left DIO and I turned my back on him. That's absolutely not the case. I got fired half way through the 'Sacred Heart' tour. I never wanted to leave the band."
When asked why he got fired, Vivian said, "When we first got together, Ronnie promised us that by the third album there would be an equitable split for the band. Everyone would be an equal guy in terms of merchandise and record sales. We got none of that. Jimmy Bain and Vinny Appice and myself were all salaried players. We earned less than our road crew. I just felt it was wrong. Ronnie, and particularly his wife Wendy, made this promise to all of us back then. So we started doing the third album, and I was probably the most vocal. 'Hey Ronnie, we talked about this back then and you promised us this.' Ronnie kept saying, 'We'll talk about it when the record is over.' Then the record was over and I brought it back up again and he said, 'We'll talk about it when we're on the road.' It just kept getting put off. Then we had a break in the tour and I went back to Ireland to visit my parents. I got this FedEx [package] asking me to sign this contract. They were going to pay me an extra two hundred bucks a week, and that failure to return it signed by such and such a date would be constituted as me leaving the band. So I'm on the phone trying to get Ronnie, and, of course, Ronnie won't pick up the phone. The next thing I know, the band is doing the U.K. part of the tour with Craig Goldy and I'm fired.
"I'm very proud of those records. The songs that I wrote with Ronnie and the records we made really stand up. It's bittersweet for me because I never got paid for them, nor did Vinny or Jimmy. . . We got no royalties on the records. We got none of the receipts from the tour. We were salaried guys getting paid less than the lighting designer, getting paid less than the sound guy, getting paid less than the professionals on the crew. To put a dollar figure on it, in 1984 I earned sixty-something thousand dollars, and Ronnie earned eleven million. It's a little bit of a financial discrepancy, considering that the band also wrote the music. Jimmy Bain and I wrote a lot of those songs with him. To not get paid at all and then to be fired…"
He continued, "I don't like talking about the details of it in that way. I thoroughly enjoyed playing in that band. I never wanted to leave. I got fired. As a result, it did leave a bit of a bad taste in my mouth, so I hadn't spoke to Ronnie since then. Frankly, when he died it was two weeks after my mother died, so I was kind of a little bit numb to the whole thing. People were calling me saying, 'What do you think about Ronnie dying?' I didn't feel anything about Ronnie dying. I hadn't talked to him in over twenty-five years and my mother had just passed. Saying that I left the band and turned by back on DIO is absolutely not true. I was 100% fired."
In interview conducted a short time before he died, Ronnie stated about Vivian's tenure with DIO, "In my opinion, Vivian no longer had the commitment to the band he had in the early days. He was — and remains — an excellent guitarist. I never lost sight of how good he was as a musician, but as a person… Well, he was no longer on the same page as the rest of us. That annoyed me hugely. When you've got four people really stretching and straining to do their very best, and one person who's clearly holding back, it makes for an unhappy camp. A lot of negative things have been said since by both Vivian and me… Now, I regret some of those things. I'm sure he does, too."
Speaking to U.K.'s Metal Hammer for the magazine's May 2012 issue which features a six-page spotlight on DIO, Bain said about Campbell's exit from the group, "Viv did nothing that warranted his removal from the band in what is still considered to be a cowardly way. For me, firing Viv was the biggest mistake of Ronnie's career. The problem could've easily been resolved if there had a been a will to do so from Ronnie and Wendy [Dio, the band's manager and Ronnie's wife]."
Vinny also regretted Vivian's departure although he was a little more diplomatic in his comments on the situation.
"Viv wasn't happy with the business part of the band, and musically wanted to pursue something else," Vinny said. "If he had been happy with the business end of it, he probably would've stayed and made a few more records with us. We had a successful, great band with Viv, and it was unfortunate to change ingredients."
Bain also felt that DIO was in decline by the time the band released "Sacred Heart".
"DIO should have gotten better with each album, but what happened was the opposite," Jimmy told Metal Hammer. "The production was watered down with all the keyboards, [and] the songs were not as good because it became harder to satisfy Ronnie's need to complicate arrangement and structure."
In a May 2011 interview with Brazil's Roadie Crew magazine, Wendy Dio stated about the controversy surrounding Ronnie's relationship with Campbell (in a 2003 interview Vivian called Ronnie "an awful businessman and, way more importantly, one of the vilest people in the industry."), "[Vivian] always said that he hated all the albums that he played on with Ronnie, and that was very hurtful to Ronnie. Very hurtful. Would you like someone who said something like that about your albums? He said a lot of things in the press that I don't wanna get into, because it really wasn't Ronnie's feud at all. Ronnie didn't fire him. I fired [Vivian]. He wanted as much money as Ronnie wanted. He thought he was as important as Ronnie was, and that was just wrong. But I don't wanna get into that. It's water under the bridge. It doesn't matter."
In March 2011, it was announced that the surviving members of the final lineup of DIO would embark on a project with former JUDAS PRIEST frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens under the name DIO DISCIPLES.
During an April 2011 appearance on the "All Hail Hair" show on Fightin' Words Radio, Vinny Appice was asked what he thought of DIO DISCIPLES going out on the road and paying tribute to Ronnie James Dio. "I think it's disgusting," he said. "I mean, why are they even doing it? Plus, [Ronnie has] not even been passed away for a year. And, you know… It's kind of… I don't know. It's kind of weird, man. It's weird."
Claude Schnell interview:
SABBATH JUDAS SABBATH Issue Update On Worldwide Band Chapters
"BLACK SABBATH and JUDAS PRIEST fans across the globe - this is now the sole Facebook Page for James Rivera's Sabbath Judas Sabbath, representing all band chapters worldwide. If you are new to the page, welcome. To everyone else, thank you for your continued support!"
For a brief overview and update on each of the bands, head here.
For more information on Sabbath Judas Sabbath, visit this location.
16 MAY 2012
16 MAY 2010
R.I.P
THE KING OF ROCK N ROLL
Avec la perte de Dio en 2010, je savais bien que Black Sabbath ne pouvait pas s'en relever, la preuve ci-dessous!
THE END OF
THE BLACK SABBATH
REUNION
2012
It's Official: BILL WARD To Sit Out BLACK SABBATH's Upcoming Shows
BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward has released the following statement:
"Dear SABBATH fans and fellow musicians,
"I sincerely regret to inform you that after a final effort to participate in the upcoming SABBATH shows, a failure to agree has continued. At this time I have to inform you that I won't be playing with BLACK SABBATH at the Birmingham gig dated May 19th, 2012, nor will I be playing at [U.K.'s] Download [festival] on June 10th, 2012. Further, I will not be playing at Lollapalooza [festival] on August 3, 2012.
"It is with a very sad heart that I bring you this news. I am sincerely passionate in my desire to play with the band, and I'm very, very sorry that it's fallen to this. This statement is even more painstaking to write, as I was particularly excited to play alongside Tony Iommi after the recent treatments he underwent. I wanted that to become a reality.
"To express my thoughts about you, the SABBATH fans, I'm going to speak to you all through an experience my brother James had recently. My brother Jimmy lives in the U.K. When speaking with him a couple of days ago, he told me that an acquaintance had stopped him on the street and confronted him, 'Is your brother playing Birmingham? What's going on? I waited in line with my son and paid X amount for the concert tickets.'
"The man's son is a young drummer. He's going to see SABBATH, and he wants to see Bill Ward play drums.
"Upon hearing this news, I felt horrible. I couldn't help feeling some resentment towards the failure to reach an agreement, the failure to remember where we came from, the failure to be as brothers, as we once were.
"To be clear, I'm not blaming the other guys or finding any faults with them. I would think it can't be easy for them either, but this situation is just really sad. It's sad that it's come to this. 'This' will surely leave a mark and be unwelcome to the memory. Hopefully 'this' will heal and pass in time.
"My heart sank when Jimmy told me about this young boy. I know this boy is going to be disappointed, and I don't know how to amend it, other than to put my arms around the boy and tell him I love him.
"SABBATH fans have a voice and a face. To me you're human, you have families and despair. You have ferocity and emotions and graciousness, and at this moment, as far as I'm concerned, you are also that young boy in England. I don't know how to amend my part in these failings other than to put my arms around you and say I love you and let you know I'm very, very sorry.
"Throughout this process, which began over a year ago, I have had to stand up for myself time and time again. I have had to stand up for myself and in doing so realize my actions indirectly, although unintentionally, are upsetting and hurting a lot of you. I know in my heart I couldn't have done these concerts by agreeing the terms suggested. I made a solemn vow after the last European and Ozzfest concerts that I would never again enter into what was, in my opinion, a totally unsatisfactory contract. I have to stand for something, and as painful as it is, I'm doing it.
"Earlier in April 2012, I'd been asked to participate 'minimally' in the Download festival. I believe I'd been offered no more than three songs to play while another drummer presumably played the rest of the show with BLACK SABBATH. I was not willing to participate in that offer. I was not prepared to watch another drummer play a SABBATH set, while I was to play only three songs.
"I found out about the Birmingham gig on Monday, April 30 through the Internet ad. I was taken aback somewhat by the date, and the fact it was Birmingham. Knowing the 'signable' contract negotiations were at best in shreds, I was upset by the idea that the band was going to play Birmingham and play it assumedly without me. I had no prior knowledge of the date and location, and I felt totally excluded. We contacted the representative for BLACK SABBATH to see if something could be worked out. In the meantime, my drum crew and I, along with our U.S. endorsers, finished all the necessary planning for a swift departure to the U.K. There wasn't a whole lot to complete; we'd all been on standby more or less since mid-January 2012. The remaining work in the U.K. was confirmed done by our European and U.K. endorsers and we were good to go by Friday, May 4 2012. There were two stress points: firstly, getting an agreement in place, and secondly, getting to England in a timely manner. Jetlag time was taken into account as well as drum practice, a drum practice room in the heart of Birmingham, accommodation, and travel arrangements were all in place to meet with any band rehearsals that may have transpired before the Birmingham show. So far everything that had been arranged was on my dime, but we didn't move ahead without a realistic confirmation.
"Communications between the representative and my lawyer continued through the weekend of May 5, finalizing on Wednesday, May 9. The offer we received on May 9 was, 'Come to the U.K., play for free and see how the first show goes.' I was tempted. Playing for free would not have been a problem for me, but 'seeing how the first show goes' left an element of risk which could have affected Download. My ideal thought was to play in full the Birmingham show, in full Download, and in full Lollapalooza.
"I had notified the representative that May 10 was my cutoff day in order to have good lead-in time for England. On the night of May 9, I asked for a brief letter to be sent to the representative asking to find out if we were at an end. On the morning of Thursday, May 10, I received a reply in the affirmative. After consulting with my advisors and crew, a decision was made to let go and stop.
"I can't prioritize the SABBATH fans making one show more important than the other. I can't do that. All of you are important. It's all the gigs or none at all. I can't come to Birmingham and 'see what happens' knowing there is a risk of not being able to play Download or Lollapalooza. Again, for me, it's all or nothing. I had to say 'no' to Birmingham on the principle of wanting to play all the shows.
"Saying no to Birmingham is very difficult for me. My family grew up in Birmingham. BLACK SABBATH grew up in Birmingham. It's still my hometown and I resent having to arrive at such a difficult choice.
"Although the statement was made that 'the door is always open' for me, as explained above, walking through that door is not always as easy as it sounds. There are many complicated issues and unseen and unspoken agendas on hand. I can assure you, my criteria for a 'signable' contract is based in mindful principles, respectability, and acknowledgement of my history within the band.
"I hold no malice or resentment towards the other band members. I love them; I'm tolerant of them; I'm frustrated with them, as they may be with me. My fight has never been with them. I'll love them forever. In my opinion, nobody wins this time; the band doesn't win; the fans for an original lineup don't win. Nobody wins, nobody. Even the ones who thought they did.
"I didn't want to make this decision, but I have to be honest and transparent. This is the statement I didn't want to write; it's the last thing I wanted to do. But, I have written it, and now it can go into the universe.
"Since spring of 2011, I've waited patiently and hopefully for a signable contract, you know the rest. I stand for the boy in the U.K., for the coming drum student, for all the drummers, who write their parts out and get stiffed on the publishing, I stand with the SABBATH fans chanting 'Bill Ward' and asking 'why?' and I stand with Tony and Geezer and Ozzy.
"On a final note, even though I'm at an end with the upcoming announced concerts, I will remain with an open mind and a position of willingness to negotiate 'signable' terms with SABBATH's representatives in the future.
"Stay strong. Stay safe.
"With all my heart and strength, I love you, Bill Ward.
"Following on a separate page is a thank you message to some very extraordinary people."
Ozzy Osbourne's wife and manager, Sharon, said recently that SABBATH would now play just one date each in North America and the U.K.
Ozzy, Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler recently spent time in London recording their first album together in 33 years, although without drummer Bill Ward it is not the original SABBATH reunion announced last November.
Ward has been sitting out the sessions due to being offered what he called "an unsignable contract" in an open letter to SABBATH fans.
The rest of SABBATH's scheduled European summer gigs will be replaced by "Ozzy And Friends", at which the singer will be joined by Butler, former Ozzy guitarist Zakk Wylde and other special guests, including Slash on selected dates.
Given the events of earlier today, this old set of lyrics seems suddenly appporiate. They come from the track “Swinging the Chain” from the Never Say Die! album. Which, ironically, was sung by Bill Ward.
Yes we’re sad and sorry
Really sorry that it happened that way
Yes we’re sad and sorry
We cannot go on in those days
Shame on the greedy lawyers who ruining the reunion of the greatest metal band of all time. I'm with Bill. Scab Sabbath won't get a cent of my money.
It's not lawyers. It's three guys that claim to be his friends that are doing their very best to fuck him.
Well, then I'm definitely NOT watching these would-be-historic gigs. All my support to Mr. Ward!
hum...the fans seems really not happy!!!
BILL WARD Officially Out Of BLACK SABBATH Reunion Shows; Statement Posted
BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward has issued the following update:
"Dear Sabbath Fans and Fellow Musicians,
I sincerely regret to inform you that after a final effort to participate in the upcoming Sabbath shows a failure to agree has continued. At this time I have to inform you that I won’t be playing with Black Sabbath at the Birmingham gig dated May 19th, 2012, nor will I be playing at Download on June 10th, 2012. Further, I will not be playing at Lollapalooza on August 3rd, 2012. It is with a very sad heart that I bring you this news. I am sincerely passionate in my desire to play with the band, and I’m very, very sorry that it’s fallen to this. This statement is even more painstaking to write, as I was particularly excited to play alongside Tony Iommi after the recent treatments he underwent. I wanted that to become a reality.
To express my thoughts about you, the Sabbath fans, I’m going to speak to you all through an experience my brother James had recently. My brother Jimmy lives in the UK. When speaking with him a couple of days ago, he told me that an acquaintance had stopped him on the street and confronted him, “is your brother playing Birmingham? What’s going on? I waited in line with my son and paid x amount for the concert tickets.”
The man’s son is a young drummer. He’s going to see Sabbath, and he wants to see Bill Ward play drums. Upon hearing this news, I felt horrible. I couldn’t help feeling some resentment towards the failure to reach an agreement, the failure to remember where we came from, the failure to be as brothers, as we once were. To be clear, I’m not blaming the other guys or finding any faults with them. I would think it can’t be easy for them either, but this situation is just really sad. It’s sad that it’s come to this. “This” will surely leave a mark and be unwelcome to the memory. Hopefully “this” will heal and pass in time.
My heart sank when Jimmy told me about this young boy. I know this boy is going to be disappointed, and I don’t know how to amend it, other than to put my arms around the boy and tell him I love him. Sabbath fans have a voice and a face, to me you’re human, you have families and despair. You have ferocity and emotions and graciousness, and at this moment as far as I’m concerned you are also that young boy in England. I don’t know how to amend my part in these failings other than to put my arms around you and say I love you and let you know I’m very, very sorry.
Throughout this process, which began over a year ago, I have had to stand up for myself time and time again. I have had to stand up for myself and in doing so realize my actions indirectly, although unintentionally, are upsetting and hurting a lot of you. I know in my heart I couldn’t have done these concerts by agreeing the terms suggested. I made a solemn vow after the last European and Ozzfest concerts that I would never again enter into what was, in my opinion, a totally unsatisfactory contract. I have to stand for something, and as painful as it is, I’m doing it.
Earlier in April 2012, I’d been asked to participate “minimally” in the Download festival. I believe I’d been offered no more than three songs to play while another drummer presumably played the rest of the show with Black Sabbath. I was not willing to participate in that offer. I was not prepared to watch another drummer play a Sabbath set, while I was to play only three songs. I found out about the Birmingham gig on Monday, April 30th through the Internet ad. I was taken aback somewhat by the date, and the fact it was Birmingham. Knowing the “signable” contract negotiations were at best in shreds, I was upset by the idea that the band was going to play Birmingham and play it assumedly without me. I had no prior knowledge of the date and location, and I felt totally excluded. We contacted the representative for Black Sabbath to see if something could be worked out. In the meantime my drum crew and I, along with our US endorsers, finished all the necessary planning for a swift departure to the UK. There wasn’t a whole lot to complete; we’d all been on standby more or less since mid-January 2012. The remaining work in the UK was confirmed done by our European and UK endorsers and we were good to go by Friday, May 4th 2012. There were two stress points: firstly, getting an agreement in place, and secondly, getting to England in a timely manner. Jetlag time was taken into account as well as drum practice, a drum practice room in the heart of Birmingham, accommodation, and travel arrangements were all in place to meet with any band rehearsals that may have transpired before the Birmingham show. So far everything that had been arranged was on my dime, but we didn’t move ahead without a realistic confirmation.
Communications between the representative and my lawyer continued through the weekend of May 5th finalizing on Wednesday, May 9th. The offer we received on May 9th was, “come to the UK, play for free and see how the first show goes.” I was tempted. Playing for free would not have been a problem for me, but “seeing how the first show goes” left an element of risk which could have affected Download. My ideal thought was to play in full the Birmingham show, in full Download, and in full Lollapalooza.
I had notified the representative that May 10th was my cutoff day in order to have good lead-in time for England. On the night of May 9th I asked for a brief letter to be sent to the representative asking to find out if we were at an end. On the morning of Thursday, May 10th, I received a reply in the affirmative. After consulting with my advisors and crew a decision was made to let go and stop.
I can’t prioritize the Sabbath fans making one show more important than the other. I can’t do that. All of you are important. It’s all the gigs or none at all. I can’t come to Birmingham and “see what happens” knowing there is a risk of not being able to play Download or Lollapalooza. Again, for me, it’s all or nothing. I had to say “no” to Birmingham on the principle of wanting to play all the shows. Saying no to Birmingham is very difficult for me. My family grew up in Birmingham. Black Sabbath grew up in Birmingham. It’s still my hometown and I resent having to arrive at such a difficult choice.
Although the statement was made that, “the door is always open” for me, as explained above, walking through that door is not always as easy as it sounds. There are many complicated issues and unseen and unspoken agendas on hand. I can assure you, my criteria for a “signable” contract is based in mindful principles, respectability, and acknowledgement of my history within the band.
I hold no malice or resentment towards the other band members. I love them; I’m tolerant of them; I’m frustrated with them, as they may be with me. My fight has never been with them. I’ll love them forever. In my opinion, nobody wins this time; the band doesn’t win; the fans for an original lineup don’t win. Nobody wins, nobody. Even the ones who thought they did.
I didn’t want to make this decision, but I have to be honest and transparent. This is the statement I didn’t want to write; it’s the last thing I wanted to do. But, I have written it, and now it can go into the universe.
Since spring of 2011, I’ve waited patiently and hopefully for a signable contract, you know the rest. I stand for the boy in the U.K., for the coming drum student, for all the drummers, who write their parts out and get stiffed on the publishing, I stand with the Sabbath fans chanting “Bill Ward” and asking “why?” and I stand with Tony and Geezer and Ozzy.
On a final note, even though I’m at an end with the upcoming announced concerts, I will remain with an open mind and a position of willingness to negotiate “signable” terms with Sabbath’s representatives in the future.
Stay strong. Stay safe.
With all my heart and strength, I love you,
Bill Ward.
Following on a separate page is a thank you message to some very extraordinary people."
Black Sabbath's return to their home city for the first time in thirteen years will occur at the O2 Academy in Birmingham on May 19th and will benefit Help For Heroes.
The reformed band - featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler (original drummer Bill Ward is still having a dispute with the members) - are currently working on their first studio album in thirty three years and first since 1978's Never Say Die!
Black Sabbath will also headline UK’s Download Festival on June 10th and the Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago which runs from August 3rd-5th.
Iron Man: The Best Of Black Sabbath is set for release on June 4th in Europe via Universal and features material from their entire first era with Ozzy Osbourne on vocals.
The Greatest Hits album tracklisting is as follows:
'Paranoid' (Paranoid) 'Iron Man' (Paranoid) 'Changes' (Volume 4) 'Fairies Wear Boots' (Paranoid) 'War Pigs' (Paranoid) 'Never Say Die' (Never Say Die) 'Children Of the Grave' (Master Of Reality) 'The Wizard' (Black Sabbath) 'Snowblind' (Volume 4) 'Sweet Leaf' (Master Of Reality) 'Evil Woman (Don’t Play Your Games)' (Black Sabbath) 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath' (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath) 'Black Sabbath' (Black Sabbath) 'N.I.B.' (Black Sabbath)
15 MAY 2012
VINNY APPICE RULES!
VINNY APPICE Performs SABBATH, ZEPPELIN Classics With ADRENALINE MOB (Video)
ADRENALINE MOB and KILL DEVIL HILL have joined forces for a short co-headlining tour. The trek kicked off on May 10 in Cleveland and will make stops in Dallas, Chicago and Orlando before wrapping up in Charlotte on May 22. The shows features KILL DEVIL HILL followed by ADRENALINE MOB and then end in all-out jam between the two groups.
ADRENALINE MOB is the band featuring featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen, guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP) and DISTURBED bassist John Moyer.
KILL DEVIL HILL consists of Vinny Appice (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO) on drums, Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN) on bass, Mark Zavon (RATT, W.A.S.P., 40 CYCLE HUM) on guitar and Jason "Dewey" Bragg (PISSING RAZORS) on vocals.
Fan-filmed video footage of ADRENALINE MOB performing BLACK SABBATH and LED ZEPPELIN classics with the help of Vinny Appice on May 10 at the House Of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio can be seen below.
ADRENALINE MOB's debut album, "Omertá", which sold around 6,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 70 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released in Europe on March 19 in Europe via Century Media Records and in the U.S. on March 13 through the newly formed Elm City Music in conjunction with EMI Label Services.
The 11-song effort — which was produced by ADRENALINE MOB and mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked on ANTHRAX's "Worship Music" and STEEL PANTHER's "Balls Out" — includes a blistering reinterpretation of DURAN DURAN's classic "Come Undone" featuring guest vocals by Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM.
The self-titled debut album from KILL DEVIL HILL — the band featuring Vinny Appice (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO) on drums, Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN) on bass, Mark Zavon (RATT, W.A.S.P., 40 CYCLE HUM) on guitar and Jason "Dewey" Bragg (PISSING RAZORS) on vocals — will be released via SPV/Steamhammer on the following dates:
U.S./Canada: May 22 Germany: May 25 Rest Of Europe: May 28
"Kill Devil Hill" was originally due on March 27 but had its release date pushed back so that the band could record another track at the last minute. The group explained, "It was decided that a song that was to be a bonus track might be released as a single, so in order to include that song on the CD we needed an additional track to include as a bonus in its place."
"Kill Devil Hill" was produced by Warren Riker, who is best known for his work with DOWN, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SUBLIME and CATHEDRAL. The effort will be available in a standard CD edition, as an iTunes digital download, and double gatefold LP.
According to Appice, KILL DEVIL HILL's sound is "like a cross between BLACK SABBATH, ALICE IN CHAINS and a little bit of LED ZEPPELIN thrown in. It's heavy, but with a lot of cool hooks and melodic overtones, too."
13 MAY 2012
VINNY APPICE
VINNY APPICE: The Good And The Bad Lessons I Learned From Working With RONNIE JAMES DIO
Tom Theurer of MusicFrenzy.net recently conducted an interview with legendary drummer Vinny Appice (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL, KILL DEVIL HILL). You can now listen to the chat in six parts below.
When asked about what lessons he learned from working his former DIO, BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL bandmate, legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio, Appice said, "Ronnie was great. Ronnie was an incredible person, and I learned from him. I've been doing it for a long time, so I learned a lot of stuff from him. And then I learned a lot of stuff that he did that I didn't think was good, too. Which was, when you have a good band, everybody should share it. And that was the problem with the early DIO stuff — he had a great band and really big, successful albums, and there was not a lot of sharing in it, basically, for people [that were in the band] to get excited about. And I think that's what kills a lot of bands. I mean, this band here [KILL DEVIL HILL], Rex [Brown, current KILL DEVIL HILL and former PANTERA/DOWN bassist] and I have done this for years, yet we're sharing everything four ways, as a team, and [that way] we get the best out of everybody. That leaves incentive for everybody. We get the best music, and that's what counts. Because otherwise what happens is what happened with DIO — with the albums, if [the bandmembers] didn't bring in any ideas, [they were] not getting any publishing [royalties], so then people are just [focused on] trying to get ideas in and have them be used. And music shouldn't be forced; it should be a natural thing [where] everybody contributes and everybody has a good time. Unless one guy is just sitting there just doing nothing. Then you've gotta address that problem. But, I think, just being a team together [where everything is split equally], everybody is gonna try and put 110 percent, and then you get great music out of it, and that's what we're doing [with KILL DEVIL HILL]. Because what happens [in a DIO-type situation] is when you [tell a bandmate], 'I don't think that [idea] really fits [what we're doing],' [you are basically] saying, 'You're not getting that part of the publishing.' [Laughs] And you get somebody trying to present something, and [the decision maker in the band] says, 'I don't like it. I really don't think it fits.' Then that person [trying to submit ideas] would think, 'Well, shit, man. That's too bad. Now I've gotta try to come up with something else or I'm not gonna get any money off this album. So it comes down to a money issue rather than just [a] creative [one]. [In KILL DEVIL HILL], if we don't use [an idea], fine, we'll use something else. And everybody's still making an equal share. It makes it easier."
Rubriques
THE SINGERS
20 MAY 2012 
