http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermo...aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=165997



bennyhillifier

Knew it was happening, hoped it wasn't. Ward just can't physically do it anymore. And Ozzy...well, I've never been crazy about Ozzy. Guy sure knows how to surround himself with awesome musicians, though.

So it's true. Black Pyramid IS back together!!

OH SNAP

LULZ

NO THANKS. let sleeping dogs lie.

The 1999 reunion was cool. They should have called that the end.

They put on a good show in 1999. but damn, they too old now.

I think that was also before the Osbournes show too so I had a lot more respect for Ozzy.

yeah that 99 reunion was awesome. if they only play songs from Sabotage and before i'll be interested.

has anyone read "I Am Ozzy"? a most enjoyable read. i still loathe The Osbournes, but Ozzy's description helped ease the insatiable urge to murder them all.

I had all the respect in the world for Ozzy, even during and after The Osbournes, but it's going to be depressing watching them play all hunched over and trembling like they will be.

They'll probably play "Dirty Women" and/or "Never Say Die"

Needs more dio.

if they change up the setlist I will be interested

So much for this happening. Seems like Sharon is at it again.

Bill Ward
Statement on Black Sabbath Album & Tour:

Los Angeles, CA – February 2, 2012

Dear Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties,

At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a "signable" contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band. Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another “unsignable” contract was handed to me.

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

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


The place I'm in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, Ialso have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.

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

So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I'm good to go IF I get a “signable” contract. I don't want to let anyone down, especially Black Sabbath and all the Sabbath fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in Rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.

My position is not greed-driven. I'm not holding out for a "big piece" of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I’d like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I've brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning.

That's the story so far.

Stay safe and stay strong.

I love every single one of you.

--Bill Ward

...and the band's response today??

We were saddened to hear yesterday via Facebook that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current Black Sabbath plans...we have no choice but to continue recording without him although our door is always open... We are still in the UK with Tony. Writing and recording the new album and on a roll... See you at Download!!!

- Tony, Ozzy and Geezer

Now I definetly have no interest in this reunion. Sharon is such a piece of shit.

Fucking cunt!

ultimately i hope that Bill Ward is thankful he didn't sign on to the garbage they are going to release.

Were people speculating that this new album was going to be ripe with integrity? I think he's making the right move, and I can only imagine how distasteful the contract is. He should post a copy of it online.

Maybe the people at the Smoking Gun will get ahold of it.

not like id be able to get tickets to this anyway.

sucks. the new album would be good i bet. Everything Iommi touches is gold. I've been going through the 80s-90s Sabbath albums the last couple months. Very Underrated. Dio or no Dio.

troof. his solo record with all the guest vocalists was amazing. still pop it in from time to time.

Tyr is a fucking great album! The chorus of Valhalla = epic epicness.

It'll still be good. I'd obviously rather basically anyone other than Ozzy singing on it (Especially now that Bill Ward's not involved), but I'm sure it'll be jampacked with good riffs as always.

It's all about the Sabbath Stones, bro.

This right here. TYR rules. Valhalla is a fucking anthem.

WHEN THE WINDS OF VALHALLA RUN COLD BE SURE THAT THE BLOOD WILL START TO FLOOOOOOOW

its not like ozzy is going to be writing anything.

fine ozzy has wet brain, and sharon is a cunt but Iommi is nothing but integrity. I really dug the heaven and hell project.

I'd say just wait this out. I think the rest of Black Sabbath is going to realize that it must include Bill Ward.

statement from Bill Ward's son

Black Sabbath Listen to Us

the press is spinning this shit storm to read as if my dad has quit. this is not true. the guys know that. that's why they said the door is ALWAYS open.
my dad hasn't "declined" playing with black sabbath or "threatened" to pull out of this reunion.
as he stated his bags are packed and he's ready to go. he say's it loud and clear, he definitely wants to play on the album and he definitely wants to tour.
i know he's been committed to this project from the beginning all the way to the point everyone else flew off to the uk.
when i saw him over the summer he had this little cd case with him that had all the rehearsals and song ideas.
each cd was sharpie scrawled with rough titles and ideas they had been working on.
about a month ago my dad called me to let me know that Tony had been diagnosed with cancer. he said they were all flying over in the next couple of weeks to continue recording the album in the uk and begin rehearsals for the summer tours. he'd been rehearsing more than i've ever known him to. up till about 3 weeks ago he was working extremely hard and close with the other 3 on this album/reunion tour. he was in very good spirits and sounded excited to be writing with Tony, Geezer and Ozzy again.
i know if they sort this shit out you guys won't be disappointed.

i've always stayed out of my dad's business and would like nothing more than for everything to be worked out swiftly between the guys.
unfortunately it's become personal with all these idiots slagging off my dad so this is for the fucking morons saying

"get over it Bill" : my dad has "gotten over it" again and again. he's risen above this bullshit thing called showbiz for the last 30 years. he's respected because he's real and honest not just because he's a complete bad ass on the drums. he's been there for other musicians. in all kinds of circles - punk rock, hardcore, metal whatever. he was one of the first to get his head screwed back on after the 70's and get cleaned up. he's given so much support to so many people trying to pull themselves out of the hell called addiction. he tries so hard to stay in touch with the fans. he'll talk your ear off if you get a chance. he is humbled by your support and loves you.

"can't believe he needs to make this public" or "it's not the first time" : you're an idiot and have no idea what the hell's really going on. just shut the fuck up and keep the speculation and lies to yourself. what my dad posted was from his heart, on the level and as usual completely honest. he wants you to know what's really going on. that he has been given a contract that he can't sign. nothing more to it. no hidden agenda. disappointingly someone else is trying to shroud everything in some kind of x factor "yeah it's full steam ahead - we have no choice" bullshit. of course they have a choice.

"don't be so greedy" : he is by no means greedy man. if he was he would of settled with whatever contract given him. it's kind of obvious someone else is greedy. wake up. he lives in a modest home in southern california. pays rent like the rest of uz. in case your still blind look at it this way - sadly the current "sabbath" statement reads as if someone would rather see the remaining members play in front of thousands of disappointed, confused and resentful fans then give my dad a dignified agreement. additionally the record sales will be severely affected because it isn't the promised original line up. all this because of someone's inability to respect him as the committed founding member he is. this has derailed the fan's hopes of seeing the original line up and strongly divided the fans. what a way to fuck up such a powerful, influential and inspirational legacy for the rest of time.

"who cares, it's just a bunch pensioners" : i'm just as cynical about old rock legends getting back on the road "one more time" as anyone but this is BLACK SABBATH. they've never been a conventional band. thing is i know these guys have been rehearsing loads. over the last couple months. when i've caught up with my dad he's been talking about how heavy the jams have been and how hard he's been playing. do you think people were looking at miles davis, ornette coleman or max roach going "man these guys are boring and old" no! it's the music that's important, played by the masters themselves. thats what we want. they're here to teach us, inspire us and make us flip out. i saw the (captain beefhearts) magic band recently on tour and they were clearly the definite article. legends. completely schooled any new hip shiny processed hyped out mush you've been exposed to in the last couple years. there's no doubt that there are loads of new heavy as fuck bands out there but to me Black Sabbath are still totally relevant. it's pointless to bitch about their age. they will kick serious fucking ass. trust.

to Terry (my godfather) , Ozzy (my friend when i was little) and Tony (towering hero) i hope that you will listen to your fans. they want all of you together. as YOU are black sabbath so is my Dad. i hope you guys can work it out.
Aron

FB petition:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/1000000-Black-Sabbath-fans-say-yes-to-Bill-Ward/387229524625706

haha nice. all Ozzy has to say about him in his book is how unbelievably nice he is, and nothing but honest. After reading that book I found my vicious hatred for Sharon abate a little, I tried to see it from her perspective, however this further proves that she is a fucking parasite. the Heaven and Hell albums were so goddamn good, I would love to see Iommi stand up and say no, I will not play without Bill Ward.

Are you kidding? Iommi probably has as much to do with this as Sharon. Its ALL about money.

From NME today

Sharon Osbourne has denied that she asked for Black Sabbath to fire drummer Bill Ward.

Ward, who is part of the iconic band's original line-up, said he would pull out of this summer's planned reunion shows and recording sessions for a new album unless he was presented with a "signable contract", with the band then vowing to carry on without him.

Osbourne, who is manager of her husband Ozzy Osbourne, but not of Black Sabbath, has spoken out on Twitter in response to online reports that she had ordered the band to remove Ward as part of the contract dispute.

She wrote on Twitter.com/Mrssosbourne:
"I am not in any position to hire or fire anyone in Black Sabbath. I don’t manage the band, I manage my husband."

PARADE PISSER. i am delusional from the 90's thread.

Well, Iommi's probably freaking about the cancer treatment.

i want to see this unsignable contract

So first Sharon denies any involvement with Black Sabbath; says she's only managing Ozzy, and now she's using the words "we" and "us" alot...

"This is interesting. Although Black Sabbath have cancelled most of their European festival appearances due to Tony Iommi's need for lymphoma treatment, it seems as though the band will still be playing one North American show. At least that's what Sharon Osbourne says in a new interview:

"They're gonna be doing one show in America this summer but I can't say yet because we can't announce it, the promoters have to, but they are doing one show in August here together."

Black Sabbath aren't just going to be playing a small arena show. They want a big payout, so it will likely be a festival. When asked about Bill Ward's status, Sharon responded:

"We don't know yet, we really don't know. It's up to Bill. The door is open for him to join us, so it's up to him."

And finally, Sharon was nice enough to give an update on how the new record is coming along:

"It's going good," she said. "They're doing really well in the studio. Gosh, they must've written 15 new songs already and it's going great."

they're also writing songs without Bill, which guaranties fail

so much fucking fail

feel bad for the people who payed to see Black Sabbath and are now stuck with "Ozzy and friends"

BILL WARD Removed From Photos On BLACK SABBATH's Official Web Site

http://www.blacksabbath.com/

like the fucking Beatles removing Ringo from pics, pretending he ever had anything to do with it

FUCK Black Sabbath 2012

^ This.

Yea he used to be a king and he had to go ruin it and star in of all things a fuckin reality show. I will totally still watch black sabbath though.

bennyhillifier

i am black and my sabbath is long enough to buss up in dem pussy guts

I saw some flyer in Oslo about the "reunion" show coming up....the short write-up told about how some members couldn't be involved "due to illness". I had to laugh a little!

I wish i could see the contracts, as I'm sure Ozzy gets an obscene amount thanks to Sharon demanding it, even though he never wrote any songs and only wrote lyrics to a few. He's always just been a stoned monkey.

That's not true, he had a fair amount to do with writing, especially earlier on, before he became a stoned monkey.

He wrote "Who Are You?" on Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 100% himself

As far as I knew for the Paranoid album he wrote half the lyrics for faires wear boots, (the parts about drugs) and thats about it.... thats from watching some documentary on them so whatever, anyways sabbath rules. especially dio era.

I just meant that almost every track, at least on the first four or five albums, is credited as All music by Black Sabbath (Tony Iommi/Geezer Butler/Bill Ward/Ozzy Osbourne) obviously it's probably in that order.