Tony Iommi Recalls Ozzy Osbourne Dismembering a Shark

One has to admire the creativity of Black Sabbath. They'll forever be known for the influential rock sounds that shaped a generation of metal heads to come, but the real genius is how Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler tortured each other.

Iommi recently told the New York Post about one of his favorite games: setting Bill Ward on fire. "Like once I said, ‘Bill, can I set fire to you?’ He said, ‘Busy ... so not just yet.’ Later he said, ‘I’m going home now, so if you want you can set fire to me.’ I threw a bucket over him, and he went on fire. It soaked third-degree burns into his legs."

"In Bel Air we got drunk, so seemed a good idea to spray him head to toe with gold paint then lacquer him. His skin couldn’t breathe. Thought he’d die. We called the hospital, who asked, ‘What’s wrong with him?’ We said, ‘He’s naked and in gold paint.’" Iommi has been making media appearances to promote his new book 'Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven and Hell With Black Sabbath' (reviewed here.) Be sure to register below to win a copy of the new book.

The guitarist goes on to share a story about Osbourne dragging a shark through a window, dismembering it and soaking the room in blood. It's a story that raises more questions than answers, including 'Where the hell did he get a shark?'

While the individual band members have slowed down in recent years, they keep in touch. Iommi says he talks to Osbourne a few times a week. It seems likely those conversations have a specific purpose lately, as all four bandmates are getting together this Friday for a press conference in which they'll make a special announcement.