It was announced Friday that after 34 years, the original line up of the best metal band of all time- Ozzy Ozbourne, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Tony Iommi- will be recording a new album and going on tour, both slated for 2012. The album will be the first since 1978’s “Never Say Never!”, and will be produced by the legendary….-wait for it- … Rick Rubin.
The original line-up last played together at Ozzfest in 2005 and had reunited for the first time back in 1998 for a hugely successful world tour (which yours truly saw on their 1st U.S. date), which begot a live album, a new documentary and 2 new studio recordings, “Psychoman” and “Selling my Soul”.
To say this is exciting is an understatement. Then to add on the legendary Rick Rubin, is mind-blowing. Hell, we all saw what Mr. Rubin did for Johnny Cash with the “America” albums over the last decade (though I don’t think Sabbath has fallen to the back-burner as Cash had in the mid 90’s), and Neil Diamond’s 2005 release “12 Songs”.
More to follow….
I’m throwing horns as we speak, but I don’t know… Rick Rubin producing Black Sabbath could be distressingly like Rob Reiner directing a James Bond film, if ya catch my drift…
Well I love the Cash albums so I’m keeping my fingers crossed… 😉