A representative for Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has confirmed that the highly anticipated and much-rumored reunion of Iommi, Ronnie James Dio, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward appears to be shaping up and taking a new form. After various promoters have approached the former Sabbath bandmates’ respective representatives, the guys have started taking all of this very seriously, as they have aparently wanted to reunite for some time now. It looks as if the new shape may be that of ‘Heaven And Hell’ - that is the moniker that the band is likely to use on their new venture as Sharon Osbourne owns the name Black Sabbath. If all goes well, ‘Heaven And Hell’ should be hitting the road in early 2007 and anything that pisses of Mrs. Osbourne - can only be a good thing! Riiight?
The Dio era of Sabbath spawned ‘Heaven & Hell’, ‘Mob Rules’, ‘Live Evil’, ‘Dehumanizer’ which are some of the band’s finest works. Particularly ‘Heaven & Hell’ and ‘Mob Rules’ two absolute Metal masterpieces.
A spokesperson for Ozzy Osbourne has issued a statement regarding the reports that current Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward will be hooking up with post-Ozzy ex-Sabbath singer Ronnie James Dio for a tour and possible album under the name Heaven And Hell:
“Tony Iommi and Ronnie Dio are working on a project together which has nothing to do with Black Sabbath. There is only one Black Sabbath. Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill will be touring late next year along with a new Black Sabbath album. However, Ozzy wishes Tony and Ronnie much success in their project together.”
Awesome! I’m excited…this sounds like it’s going to kick much ass.
That’s excellent news.. but don’t be an idiot. Tony Iommi owns the name Black Sabbath, not Sharon Osbourne!! Sheesh.. you’d think the dozens of Sabbath albums without Ozzy singing would have cleared that up:-)
Ronnie Dio is sooooo much better than Ozzy. I cannot wait for them to come to Fresno, CA.