Kevin Winter, Getty Images The year of 2012 was supposed to find a reunited Black Sabbath playing festivals all over the world. But due to guitarist Tony Iommi’s battle with cancer and drummer Bill Ward ‘s absence because of a contract dispute, they only played three shows, all minus the band’s original stickman. Ward was recently interviewed by Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes as part of the six-part Vice series ‘Black Sabbath and the Birth of Heavy Metal’ (watch below), and spoke about his current situation with Sabbath. In regard to his relationship with Sabbath members and what might happen in the future, Ward said, “There have been some very uncomfortable situations in the last six months. We’ll see how that works out. But I stand for myself today. As much as I love them… I’ll always play; that’s my life.” Ward adds,”If there’s some longevity with Black Sabbath, then I’d like to be a part of it. I wanna play hard rock. I wanna play loud drums. I love playing with Terry (Geezer Butler], I love playing with Ozz (Ozzy Osbourne) and I love playing with Tony (Iommi). When Tony opens up with huge chords, I still get the same shiver up my back that I got when we were 18-year-old kids. It ain’t gone away. It’s still there.” In a recent interview , Osbourne and Iommi did not close the door to a Ward return. “There was no row. There was no argument,” Osbourne said. “The door ain’t closed. Whether we work something out up the road, I don’t know.” Tony Iommi echoed those sentiments, adding, “It’s not a personal thing. If he phoned us up tomorrow, which he hasn’t, but if he did…” Sabbath are also working on a new album, and if Ward is to rejoin his former bandmates in time to play on it, the clock is ticking. [button href=”http://www.vice.com/on-the-road/on-the-road-black-sabbath-and-the-birth-of-heavy-metal” title=”Watch ‘Black Sabbath and the Birth of Heavy Metal’ Video” align=”center”]
Mary Oullette, SheWillShootYou.com Here’s a look at the top stories of the day on Loudwire and around the Web: – After having Skid Row’s Rachel Bolan record bass for their upcoming album, Stone Sour have recruited new touring bassist Johnny Chow from Cavalera Conspiracy. [ Loudwire ] – Motorhead may be readying another live compilation, but singer Lemmy Kilmister already has some ideas about the band’s next studio album and whom he’d like as a guest on the disc. [ Loudwire ] – Green Day returned to stores today with ‘¡Uno!,’ the first album of the band’s trilogy. How does it rate? Check out a review of the disc. [ Loudwire ] – While we remember late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham this week on the anniversary of his death , Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi reminisces about some rather hazardous driving incidents with his pal. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – Congrats to Mastodon ‘s recording pal Feist , who received the Polaris Prize Award honoring her for Canada’s best album, ‘Metals.’ [ Diffuser.fm ] – Blind Melon’s frontman Travis T. Warren is stepping away to release his debut solo album, ‘Beneath These Borrowed Skies,’ this week. [ Rock Music Report ]
Down Records/Independent Label Group Six songs from Down are better than a full album of tunes from many other bands. The title of the band’s new EP, ‘Down IV, Part 1 – The Purple EP,’ is incredibly long for an extended play, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts.The quintet makes efficient use of the space they’re working with and not a second is wasted. The EP is like a high quality, low-calorie meal. It fills you up, sustains you, gives you energy and makes you feel good, but with none of these excess pounds or throwaway fillers. Of course, it leaves you wanting more, because Down are that good, but you’re not starved. You’re satisfied. Singer Philip Anselmo is in as good of shape vocally as he has been in years. His low rumble hasn’t sounded this healthy or this commanding since the Pantera days. ‘Levitation’ roars with a moshable groove and guitar-tistry. It’s eerie and by the time Anselmo shows up to partner up with the equally dominant riffery, you’re consciousness will be elevated to a higher state. ‘Witchtripper’ positions itself as a modern anthem, opening with a short squall of feedback before pounding your skull into a fine dust with its rhythmic roar. Close your eyes for a minute and you’ll swear parts of Anselmo’s delivery sound like a young, robust Ozzy Osbourne . Even with its heft and its girth, the song’s melodic bluster makes it catchier than germs on a packed subway car. Anselmo provides the rumble of thunder over the bottom-feeding riffs on ‘Open Coffins,’ as well. ‘The Curse Is a Lie’ is a doomy, sonic sign of the apocalypse, and it boasts equally swamp-dwelling guitar sludge that was reared deep in the NoLA bayou. The ominous, lower-than-low tones are heavier than the atomic weight of lead. ‘This Work Is Timeless’ is a little faster and a little chunkier than the songs that come before it, but it’s just as thick and heady. ‘Misfortune Teller’ closes the EP and it packs the most potent groove of the bunch, and on an EP laden with potent grooves, that’s really saying something. Overall, Down make no effort to hide their Black Sabbath worship on these six meaty, muscular songs. But this EP is by no mans paying homage. Down soak their riffage in a metallic gumbo found only in NoLA, and it’s uniquely their own. But Down aren’t all bones and braun. This EP is the work of true metal artisans who aren’t afraid to be unpolished and dirty. What’s more metal than that? [button href=”http://loudwire.com/down-iv-part-1-the-purple-ep-prize-pack/” title=”Enter for a Chance to Win a ‘Down IV, Part 1’ Prize Pack” align=”center”]
It’s hard to escape the drama that seems to follow Black Sabbath around, but according to keyboardist Adam Wakeman, who also plays for Ozzy Osbourne’s band, the Black Sabbath bandmates are just a normal group of guys at the end of the day. In a new interview with MTV Hive the musician talked about his relationship with the legendary band, working for Ozzy, and his own rock star roots. When
The fact that the original members of Black Sabbath weren’t able to undertake a full-on world tour in 2012 was devastating to Sabbath fans. Guitarist Tony Iommi‘s cancer diagnosis stuck a knife into the heart of Sabbath fans, and reduced Sabbath to playing only three live shows this year, with their one U.S. date happening on Aug. 3 at Lollapalooza. Add to that drummer Bill Ward ‘s contract dispute, which resulted in
Today in rock and metal news, the music world is mourning the loss of former Deep Purple and Whitesnake keyboardist Jon Lord, who passed away Monday morning at the age of 71 from a pulmonary embolism. Members of Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Slash were among those paying their respects to Lord for his classic work. Meanwhile, Randy Blythe’s supporters are heading to the Supreme Court where they’ll hold a
The death of legendary Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord has shaken the rock world through some of its most celebrated musicians. Among those who have tweeted their condolences are Slash, Mike Portnoy, Iron Maiden, Tom Morello and many more. Perhaps the most notable post however, comes from Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler. In reaction to the death of Jon Lord, Geezer Butler shared his thoughts of the Deep Purple keyboardist.