It was on 11-11-11 that the news finally became official, although considering the members of Black Sabbath were getting together to make an announcement, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out.
Yes, the original line-up of Black Sabbath are reuniting, and will record their first album of new material in 33 years, which will be produced by Rick Rubin.
As Blabbermouth reports, the press conference was hosted by Henry Rollins at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, where the band first played L.A. over forty years ago as Alice Cooper’s opening act.
Echoing the sentiment of many, including myself, Rolling said, ” I was a very alienated young person, and when I heard Black Sabbath, I realized my life had a soundtrack.”
Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi said it was Rubin constantly calling the band that helped bring them back together, and as far as the band getting back together to do another album, “It’s now or never.”
Ozzy said there are seven or eight new tunes the band has already written, and the band will start recording their new album in January for a projected release in the fall of next year.
As to whether or not a new Black Sabbath album with the original line-up will be amazing or whether it will be just another album in their discography is almost beside the point.
As I’ve written here before on TG, everyone who loves heavy music owes Iommi and company an enormous debt, because metal as we know it just wouldn’t exist without them.
Having seen Sabbath reunited in 1999, I had the time of my life, and couldn’t remember the last time I had that much fun seeing a band.
If they can continuously deliver that on the road, and hopefully on their new album as well, what could be better?
In any event, it’s good to have them back, and here’s hoping the new material will pick up where they left off.
