Jack Osbourne: Official Instagram Get ready to say, “Awwwww.” Above is a pic of legendary Black Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne holding his newest granddaughter Pearl as the two celebrate the New Year together. Ozzy became a grandfather for the fifth time last year, when son Jack and now-wife Lisa Stelly welcomed the baby girl into the world. Jack Osbourne posted this picture of Ozzy and Pearl on his Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages last night (Jan. 1). This is the second picture of Ozzy and Pearl together that we’ve seen, as an earlier pic of the duo on the Sabbath singer’s private jet was revealed in November (see below). Hello! magazine was the first publication to introduce Pearl to the public shortly after she was born on April 24, 2012. “People say when you have a kid, it’s like instant love, but unless you’ve experienced it, it’s impossible to comprehend,” Jack Osbourne told Hello! “The moment I saw her, I felt more love than I’d ever felt for anything. It was the weirdest, most overwhelming thing.” Not only are we jealous of Pearl for having the coolest grandpa ever, but it’s likely that the child has already heard some of the new Sabbath album. Unfortunately for us, Pearl probably can’t be convinced to mail us a digital copy … yet. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/ozzy-osbourne-black-sabbath-vol-4-his-public-perception/” title=”Ozzy Osbourne Discusses Black Sabbath History + His Public Perception” align=”center”] Earlier Photo From November: Jack Osbourne: Facebook
Twitter: @DaveMustaine Megadeth mastermind Dave Mustaine has been keeping fans updated on the status of their new album by making the most of social media – posting Twitter updates and Facebook postings on all the latest happenings. He most recently posted news yesterday that three new tracks were almost complete. Mustaine followed up on that news with more detail, posting the photo seen here on Twitter citing some inspiration for his vocal chops, saying, “Cutting vocals today! Some inspiration! Jesus and Clint Eastwood!” The picture, seemingly depicting a photo of Clint Eastwood as his character Josey Wales from the 1976 Western flick ‘The Outlaw Josey Wales,’ sits alongside a crucifix. Next to the in-studio inspiration lies what could perhaps be the lyrics to one of the new Megadeth songs, titled ‘Nothing To Remember.’ The new Megadeth disc is being produced by Johnny K. Although no drop date has been officially announced, the disc is slated to come out sometime in 2013. It’s not all work for Mustaine over the holidays though, he also posted that he went to see the new film ‘Les Miserables’ starring Hugh Jackman and seemed to enjoy it, expressing, “Saw Les Miserables last night. If Hugh Jackman doesn’t get nominated for an Oscar I will be surprised. He was superb!” Hopefully all this new inspiration will convince Mustaine to keep up the great first-person coverage of all the Megadeth magic going down in the studio while fans wait patiently to hear the new music. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/megadeth-progress-new-album-dave-mustaine-sells-gear-from-old-studio/” title=”Next: Megadeth Make Progress on New Album” align=”center”]
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com The end of the year offers the perfect time to reflect on where you’re at in life, and you’d have to think that Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has a brighter outlook on things now than he did earlier in 2012. The guitarist confirms as much in a newly posted year-end update. Things appeared to be on the upswing for Iommi in 2011 as Black Sabbath had reunited and the band was preparing to work on their first new album in years, but then Iommi learned early this year that he had lymphoma that needed to be treated in order for his survival. Suddenly his focus for 2012 had changed, but thankfully his initial plans for the year still appear to be in reach as his post-chemotherapy recovery has gone well. In his year-end posting , Iommi states: What a year! Certainly not the one I was expecting. Thanks to you all for your massive help and support, it was very encouraging. I’m still working on the album and managed to play three shows, not bad given the news a year ago. I’m looking forward to next year, seeing what you think of the record and touring as much as we’re able. My best wishes to you all, I hope you have a great Christmas and New Year, most of all, stay positive. The guitarist did come through his treatment, worked closely with his bandmates on completing a new record which is now due in April and managed to make a handful of high profile shows in England and the U.S. despite the setback. As for what lies ahead in 2013, Iommi will get in his first extended touring since the reunion was announced. After his lymphoma battle, the guitarist also decided to go back and update his autobiography. The newly reissued paperback version of ‘Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven & Hell With Black Sabbath,’ includes a chapter on his treatment and recovery. In addition, he’s also recorded an audio book with one of his former bandmates providing the voice. He explained , “I had a go myself but wasn’t comfortable when I listened back. Normally you just get an actor to voice it but I didn’t want someone who didn’t know me or the music business so I asked my old mate Bev Bevan (former Black Sabbath / MOVE / ELO drummer) as he already has a radio show and lived some of the chapters with me! I’m really pleased how it’s turned out.” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/black-sabbath-tony-iommi-writing-chemotherapy/” title=”Next: Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi Discusses Writing During Chemotherapy” align=”center”]
All Shall Perish guitarist Ben Orum announced his sudden departure from the band on Dec. 12. Citing his family life and desire to be an attentive father, Orum felt the amount of touring with All Shall Perish would affect his personal life too greatly. However, Orum’s passion for music remains in tact, as he now handles bass duties for death metal band Oblivion, who are unveiling a music video for the song ‘Reclamation’ exclusively here on Loudwire. Deemed the ‘End of the World Version,’ Oblivion’s new video for ‘Reclamation’ delivers an apocalyptic theme just in time for fans to experience before the world actually ends later today. Oblivion definitely didn’t phone it in when it comes to their ‘Reclamation’ video, as proven by some captivating visuals crumbling city centers and full-on nuclear disasters. “This is our second video from our upcoming debut album, ‘Called to Rise,’” vocalist Nick Vasallo tells us. “This is also the first video to feature our two new members: Ben Orum (ex-All Shall Perish) and Victor Dods (from Hacksaw to the Throat, R.I.P.). The director, Brandon Hunt, made a special ‘End of the World’ version for all our fans just for today. Enjoy.” Although Orum has moved from guitar to bass after leaving All Shall Perish, his technical abilities are still acutely spotlit within ‘Reclamation,’ as are the talents of his fellow Oblivion band mates. Check out the debut of Oblivion’s music video for ‘Reclamation’ in the player below, and pre-order the band’s debut album, ‘Called to Rise’ (packaged with a t-shirt for only $10 total) by clicking here . The disc is set to drop on Jan. 1, 2013. Oblivion, ‘Reclamation’
EA / Activision (2) Rock music and video games make for a brilliant marriage. Anyone who has ever sat down to play a Tony Hawk skating game has left with a library full of new favorite song. So, when one of your favorite musicians appears as a character within one of your favorite video games, even the most season gamer can’t help but feel giddy like a teenage girl before prom. From well-known cameos, to surprise appearances and unlockable characters, there are a myriad of rockers who have been immortalized in video game form, including members of Metallica , Nirvana , Limp Bizkit and many more. We’ve teamed up with a number of our partner sites for a list of musicians and celebrities who have starred in video games. Click below to check it out: [button href=”http://loudwire.com/metallica-tony-hawk-pro-skater” title=”See the Rock Stars Who Have Starred in Video Games” align=”center”]
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Metallica just keep rocking along, year after year, becoming one of metal’s most enduring acts. But with that longevity comes the possibility of complacency, which is something that drummer Lars Ulrich says he doesn’t think will ever happen. The drummer tells Metal Hammer that the band’s drive and ambition will keep them from ever breaking up, as long as they’re fit enough to keep on going. He explains, “I don’t think I’ll ever be bored of being in Metallica. I think that one of two things can happen. One, is the physicality of what we do — if we don’t have the strength to do it physically anymore. We will always have the strength to do it mentally, so I’m not worried about that. But if there ever comes a time when we feel that it’s not going on all 12 cylinders, then I hope that we have the guts to walk away from it.” Ulrich says the other thing that could happen is the evolution of outside interests. He ponders, “Is there a chance that when I’m 55, I’ll want to write a movie? Or that James Hetfield will want to make a country record? Or that Kirk Hammett will want to go surfing for a year?” While that is a possibility, Ulrich says he feels the band members will always find their way back to Metallica. He adds, “I don’t think I’ll ever wake up and go, ‘I’m bored of being in Metallica,’ because of the nature of who we are as people and the dynamics in our personalities. We always make it interesting for ourselves. That’s why we do crazy s— like ‘Some Kind of Monster’ and the 3D movies. We throw ourselves these challenges. It’s to make sure that boredom never sets in.” When asked what he thinks his 18-year-old self would think about what he’s doing now, the drummer explained, “I think he’d think that he’s alright. He does a pretty good job of keeping it real and dealing with all the things he does. I realized that I say one phrase quite often: ‘I’m doing the best I can.’ I think the 18-year-old would look at the 48-year-old and go, ‘He’s doing the best he can.’” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/many-faces-metallica-lars-ulrich/” title=”Next: The Many Faces of Lars Ulrich” align=”center”]
Roadrunner Swedish progressive metal masters Opeth have posted a mystery teaser via Roadrunner Records. We can only speculate as to what it means, but the video depicts a spinning Planet Earth with the signature Opeth logo appearing as the globe stops over North America. Accompanying the band’s logo, ‘Spring 2013′ materializes before the short teaser fades away. Immediately after the mystery video was posted, various theories began to float around the internet, and although no official announcement has been revealed along with the 30-second clip, a recent quote from frontman Mikael Akerfeldt suggests an upcoming North American tour. “We still have a few details to work out,” Akerfeldt told Roadrunner in a November 2012 interview, “but we were supposed to be in the U.S. in the fall [of 2012] and we didn’t do it, so we’re gonna be in the U.S. in the spring, I think. But it’s not completely settled yet, so I’m not sure. I can’t say 100 percent that we’re gonna be there. But 90 percent sure, we’re going on a North American tour, which will be the last lengthy tour that we do for this record.” Opeth blazed through North America in 2012 for an incredible tour with Mastodon and Ghost , and although it’s been less than a year since we interviewed Akerfeldt ourselves and checked out Opeth’s live show, WE WANT THEM BACK! Here’s hoping for a 2013 North American tour from our Swedish friends in Opeth. Watch Opeth’s Mystery ‘Spring 2013′ Video [button href=”http://loudwire.com/opeth-blackwater-park-top-21st-century-metal-songs/” title=”Opeth – Top 21st Century Metal Songs” align=”center”]