Ozzy Osbourne Says Black Sabbath Will Return in 2016
Ozzy Osbourne has confirmed that Black Sabbath will record a new album in 2016, with a series of farewell dates to follow. "The plan is that next year, [we'll do] the final Black Sabbath tour and [another] album," Osbourne said during a Q&A for the Monsters of Rock festival in Brazil.
The record will follow 2013's 13, Black Sabbath's first album with Osbourne since 1978's Never Say Die. The reunion project, which took place as guitarist Tony Iommi battled a lymphoma diagnosis, became one of the band's most successful ever.
"It took [Black Sabbath] 45 years to get our first No. 1 album," Osbourne added. "And Tony -- I was amazed at what he was [coming up with], considering that he was fighting cancer. He's doing great now. I text him now and again. He sounds fine."
Black Sabbath's 13 didn't include fellow co-founding member Bill Ward, and a very public disagreement between Osbourne and the drummer over the split sadly continues. Ward says he has not been contacted about these new Black Sabbath sessions.
Osbourne has also previously mentioned work on a long-awaited solo album; his most recent was 2010's Scream. Osbourne performed as part of last weekend's Monsters of Rock event at Sao Paulo, Brazil. A solo Las Vegas residency has been announced for October.
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