Iommi Talks Sabbath Reunion

The four original members of Black Sabbath -- Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler -- have begun work on a new album, their first since 1978's Never Say Die.

"We're having great fun," says Iommi. "Even in rehearsals, it's like we're kids again." After headlining this summer's Ozzfest Tour, the band will reconvene in London to continue writing songs. In November, they will begin recording with producer Rick Rubin. They plan to release the album next spring.

The Sabbath reunion came about after Osbourne realized that he had erred in his decision to call the band's 1999 Ozzfest shows their last. "Ozzy felt like the band had run its course, so he ended it," says the singer's wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne. "Then he was miserable for a good eight months. He woke up one day and said, 'I fucked it! Why did I do it?' So he called them and said, 'Do you want to get back together?'"

The band has at least five new songs in the works; one, called "Scary Dream," Sharon describes as "haunting . . . One of the best songs they've ever written." Iommi agrees that the songs are a return to form. "It's gone right back to the beginning," he says. "Into that format with a lot of tempo changes, and it sounds much the same as it did in the early days, hopefully only better."

Ozzy, meanwhile, will release his latest solo album on October 16th, featuring tracks co-written with artists including Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and Foreigner's Mick Jones.

JENNY ELISCU
(May 10, 2001)