News | Tony Iommi Fan-tastic

“13” Album video review from Artisan News

An invite-only listening party for Black Sabbath's new album, "13" was held on 10 April 2013 at The Montalban theatre in Los Angeles.

The following eight songs were played back:

* End Of The Beginning (8:07)
* God Is Dead? (8:54)
* Loner (5:06)
* Zeitgeist (4:28)
* Age Of Reason (7:02)
* Live Forever (4:49)
* Damaged Soul (7:43)
* Dear Father (7:06)

Black Sabbath will make a rare television appearance when the band performs a new song on the season finale of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation". The episode is set to air on Wednesday, May 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET on CBS-TV. The band will world premiere a song called "End Of The Beginning" from "13". The episode's plot follows the "CSI" team as they investigate a series of murder that resemble the sins in "Dante's Inferno", with the trail leading the detectives played by Ted Danson and Marc Vann to attend a Sabbath concert.

Watch the Artisan News’ video review of the album:

Black Sabbath presented their “13” album to the audience

Black Sabbath with Rick Rubin presented their new album to the group of media in Los Angeles. Loudwire, present on the party, shares the first impressions:

“Black Sabbath are back!” Fans of the Ozzy Osbourne-led line up have been waiting to hear that statement for nearly 35 years, and on Wednesday night (April 10) in Hollywood, California USA, a small theater full of select media and VIPs could officially finally make that claim. Thankfully, Loudwire was among the lucky attendees.

Before the songs off the disc were played for those in attendance, Ozzy Osbourne’s son Jack welcomed the audience and played a short film on the making of the album that his company created. In it, viewers get to see the giddiness of producer Rick Rubin, who proclaims that he’s thrilled to be working on a new Sabbath album that can stand next to the others because, as he says, we’d all played the others so many times in the past. Viewers get to see the camaraderie of the group, which is on display as Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler kid the new guy, Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk, who manned the skins in the absence of Bill Ward. Wilk spoke of what a fun experience it was, as they never took things too seriously. Upon one of his hard hitting drum beats in the studio, a startled Osbourne jumped, proclaiming, “F—ing hell, he just woke me up!”

Also on display was the band’s determination to make the album they wanted to make. As Osbourne states in the film, “I’m making an album I like and if someone else likes it, great.” He would go on to call the ’13′ disc “quite possibly the most important album of my career.”

Upon first listen, it’s clear that Black Sabbath’s ’13′ will be a standout metal album of 2013. Fans will hear a lot of what has made the band legends in the first place while experiencing the freshness of some new music. At the end of the session, Osbourne, Iommi and Butler made a surprise guest appearance. They were greeted with cheers and thanked the audience for listening. There should be plenty more applause coming their way once the ’13′ album arrives on June 11.

Read more on Loudwire.com

Pre order various versions of the new “13” album and tickets for Australia / New Zealand and European tour from Blacksabbath.com

Chad Childers for Loudwire, 11 April 2013
Photo by Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Black Sabbath to play new single “End Of The Beginning” on CSI finale in May

A new surprise waiting for the fans of The Great Lefty and the Mighty Sabbath!

According to Hollywoodreporter.com, Black Sabbath will do a cameo in CSI's season finale. In the lead-up to the release of their upcoming album, “13”, the band will appear in the finale of the crime drama on May 15, CBS announced Wednesday. The band will play a concert in the show attended by some of the characters. The performance in CSI will debut “13” first single, “End Of The Beginning”.

“When we first heard that Black Sabbath was interested in premiering a song on CSI from their first studio album in 35 years, we were all really excited,” said the show's executive producer, Don McGill, in a release. “So many of us are longtime fans.”

Sabbath's Geezer Butler adds: “I've seen almost every episode of CSI, so it's cool to say I'm actually in the season finale! Black Sabbath will be playing a track from the new album; watch out for it!”

Read more on: Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles

Bravewords.com, 11 April 2013

Black Sabbath’s 2013 European Tour Dates Announced!

Ultimate Classic Rock just announced great news! The dates of Black Sabbath’s European Tour!

“Black Sabbath’s world tour in support of their upcoming album ’13′ is beginning to take shape. The band, which just completed a long-awaited reunion project with original singer Ozzy Osbourne, will play New Zealand, Australia and Japan later this month. Now, a series of 15 European shows have been confirmed, beginning November 20.

Black Sabbath 2013 European Tour:

Nov. 20 – Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland
Nov. 22 – Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
Nov. 24 – Telenor Arena, Oslo, Norway
Nov. 26 – Forum, Denmark, Copenhagen
Nov. 28 – Ziggo Dome, Holland, Amsterdam
Nov. 30 – Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany
Dec. 02 – Bercy, Paris, France
Dec. 05 – Fiera Arena, Milan, Italy
Dec. 07 – 02 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
Dec. 10 – 02 Arena, London, UK
Dec. 12 – Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Ireland
Dec. 14 – Arena, Sheffield, UK
Dec. 16 – Hydro, Glasgow, UK
Dec. 18 – Arena, Manchester, UK
Dec. 20 – LG Arena, Birmingham, UK

Tickets for Black Sabbath’s UK dates will go on sale on Friday, 12 April at 9am.
North American shows are expected for July and August.”

Get your tickets from blacksabbath.com

Tony Iommi’s legendary Red Gibson SG aka “Monkey” has a second life!

Every fan of Black Sabbath certainly remember Tony Iommi’s famous Red Gibson SG with a sticker showing a pretty monkey playing a fiddle - his first SG. As we know, Tony at the very early times owned a Stratocaster, which broke during the recordings of Sabbath’s first self titled album. The neck pick up simply failed. Tony brought the guitar to repair, and embraced the old spare SG, a guitar which he would be loyal for many years. And the legend began.

The incredible sound of that Red SG was a beginning of Black Sabbath’s special distinctive sound. Already heavy as hell in Paranoid, it is truly monstrous in Master of Reality. The sound of this guitar – Iommi’s quintessential sound in general, and especially in the first phase of Sabbath story.

Now the legendary guitar is located in retirement under glass on the wall of Hard Rock Cafe in New York. Well-deserved rest after a heroic career! While one very special Iommi fan – luthier Lou Moritz did appear in this incredible story, and his efforts led to the Gibson Monkey’s second life! A true revival of a legendary axe!

Let's give the word to Lou Moritz himself , who is a huge friend of our fansite, and listen to his awesome story!

“Hi Guys ! I have been a Tony Iommi / Black Sabbath fan since I can remember and I always wanted a guitar like Tonys. Several years ago I purchased a used 1965 SG Special with the intentions of making this replica. It had a broken headstock repair , which by the way was done properly and to this day it’s as solid as a rock. Anyway, I stripped the guitar, re finished it in Cherry and began the search for the proper John Birch pickups. Found one on Ebay and the for the other I traded 2 brand new Lindy Fralin P-90’s to a mate in Ireland .

I had a Iommi Forum member give me Tony’s guitar tech, Mike Clement’s email address and I explained to him what I want to do and if he can give me as much info on the guitar as possible. He told me that I can check out the original at the Hard Rock Café in NYC. I called the Hard Rock, talked to the manager there and asked them if I can take several pictures of it. With that I was off to NYC, camera in hand. They let me in about a 1/2 an hour before they opened and let me take as many pictures as I wanted.

With 45 reference pictures in hand I reproduced the pickup rings and cut the pickguard up like in the photo’s. I than took a picture of the Monkey decal and reproduced it in Microsoft Paint program.

All the while I was send progress pictures to Mike and asked him if he can show Tony. Got replies back that Tony was impressed and wanted to see it when it was finished. You can imagine how excited I was when I read that. When Heaven and Hell was in my area for a show Mike called me, told me I was on the Guest List and directed me to the back area of the arena. I met up with Mike, got my Ticket and Back Stage pass and the rest as they say…………is History !

Then I decided to scratch build a copy of Tony’s road Old Boy. Again with Mike’s help along with the original builder John Diggins of Jaydee Guitars’ I made my own replica. Sent progress pic’s to Mike, Mike in turn showed them to Tony. Once again I’m back stage, and after the show in Tony’s dressing room, he’s checking out the guitar.

Tony loves to bust chops and he says to me again, just like he did when he saw the Monkey, “It’s awesome, looks great, nice job etc, etc, but it’s not left handed.” I laughed it off and told him that I built it for myself so that’s why it’s right handed.

He’s hinting on having me build him an SG ! So now lets go to November 2011, Tony was on his book signing tour so I stood in line to get my copy autographed. When I got up to Tony we shook hands, asked me how I was and then he drops the bomb on me. “So have you built me a guitar yet? “ I asked him if was serious, he said yes and I said you got it. The following day I began gathering the supplies, emailed Mike, he told me the spec’s Tony likes and begun the build.

Once finished I shipped it off to Mike and waited for a reply.

Mike replied back that Tony loves it and other than making a few adjustments to Tony’s liking it’s perfect. The SG is used during Sound Check at the Birmingham Black Sabbath Show. Got many emails from Tony’s producer, Mike. etc, on how great it sounds and congrats on a job well done.

Then along comes the recording sessions for the new album “13”. Mike sends me an email saying the SG was used to record one track. Another email a few weeks later saying the SG I built will be used on the upcoming tour ! Man I’m so high right now ! Never I my wildest dreams did I think that not only would I get a chance to meet my Guitar Hero but….I build him a guitar, at his request and then that same guitar gets used to record an album and used on the tour !”

Lou made a fantastic job. Congratulations to Lou from all Iommi heads there!
We really can’t wait to see the new replica guitar in Tony’s hands on upcoming gigs in Australia, New Zealand and Japan! Thank you Lou! The Red SG “Monkey” is back!

Visit guitar luthier Lou Moritz’s website: St. Moritz Guitars

Published with permission, 7 April 2013
All photos by Lou Moritz

The official artwork revealed for Black Sabbath’s new album “13”!

Black Sabbath‘s “13” album has primarily been something for metalheads to converse about over the last few months, but now we’re getting our first glimpses of the band’s highly anticipated release, as the group has just revealed the album artwork and offered up a song snippet, as well.

The “13” disc is due June 11, and the album cover features the titular number set on fire against a black backdrop. The song snippet appears in the album cover’s video reveal, and features a monster riff by Tony Iommi before concluding with Ozzy Osbourne offering the lines, “Nowhere to run / Nowhere to hide” before it all fades out.

The “13” album will be the band’s first full-length disc of new material with Osbourne fronting the group in 35 years. Sabbath recorded the album in Los Angeles with producer Rick Rubin. Rage Against the Machine‘s Brad Wilk filled in on drums while a contractual dispute with original drummer Bill Ward continued.

Most of the music was written in 2012 in England, as the band members traveled overseas to be close to Tony Iommi while he was undergoing treatment for lymphoma. Iommi is reportedly in better condition, having completed his chemotherapy, and will join Black Sabbath on their 2013 touring.

“13” was recorded primarily in Los Angeles, the album will be released on Vertigo (worldwide) and Vertigo/Republic in North Ameerica.

Pre order your “13” album in wide variety of formats via www.blacksabbath.com .

Chad Childers for Loudwire, 4 April 2013

Photo by Vertigo Records

New instruments for Armenia Music School! Who Cares project shows excellent results!

The charity project Who Cares including Tony Iommi, Ian Gillan and friends, released a charity single Out Of My Mind / Holy Water in 2011, and last year also a full length album Who Cares – Tony Iommi & Ian Gillan, and set out to build a musical school for children – victims of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia gives excellent results. The construction is proceeding well and the new school is expected to open this summer. New musical instruments were donated by Millbank Music.

Tony Iommi himself informs on his official website:
"A big thank you to Tim and the team at Millbank Music in Canada for the huge pile of instruments now on their way to Armenia. With support like this the project was always going to be successful, when the school opens this summer they'll be off to a great start!"

Tony and Ian Gillan are helping Armenia from 1989, they had visited the country together on various occasions in past years, and were awarded by the local government for the long term charity work.

We hope that the worldwide tour with Black Sabbath will not prevent Tony be present at the school’s opening ceremony!

Visit Tony Iommi's official website for full information and pictures: www.iommi.com

4 April 2013

Black Sabbath Tribute Album Given Away For Free With Metal Hammer Magazine! A good tribute for Mighty Sabbath done by Metal Hammer Greece!

"Sabbath Cadabra" is a compilation album released by Metal Hammer Greece, which features Greek bands covering tracks from Black Sabbath's entire career. The CD will be given away for free with Metal Hammer Greece issue #340, on sale Tuesday, April 2.

Commented Metal Hammer Greece: "Black Sabbath invented heavy metal. The least we could do in order to celebrate their legacy is to gather some of the best Greek bands and have them play Sabbath's ecstatic music. Enjoy and worship the riff lords."

"Sabbath Cadabra" track listing:

* ROTTING CHRIST - "Black Sabbath"
* INNERWISH - "Neon Knights"
* SEPTEMBER CODE - "Fairies Wear Boots"
* SORROWS PATH - "Killing Yourself to Live"
* NIGHTFALL - "Jerusalem"
* BATTLEROAR - "Falling off the Edge of the World"
* PLANET OF ZEUS - "Behind the Wall of Sleep"
* POTERGEIST VS. BOOGIE MAN - "The Wizard"
* HEATHENDOM - "Voodoo"
* TARDIVE DYSKINESIA - "Into the Void"
* 1000MODS - "Snowblind"
* ROCK 'N' ROLL CHILDREN - "Children of the Sea"

You can listen to sample of the compilation in the YouTube clip below.

Place your order via e-mail: sales@hammer.gr.

Blabbermouth.net, 1 April 2013

Musical Lightning: Tesla Coil Plays Black Sabbath At The Centre For Life

The Centre for Life in Newcastle has been showcasing it’s latest scientific device, a musical Tesla Coil that produces arcs of electricity in time to music.

The coil works by transferring rhythms into tuned sound and creating musical lightning.

Ian Simmons from the Centre for Life said: "The sound you hear is actually produced by the lightning. The Tesla Coil works on the same kind of principle as the sound from a thunderstorm, only we have tuned the sound so it's recognisable. We often play the song Paranoid by Black Sabbath but there are other songs people can choose.“

Teslas are largely used for educational and entertainment purposes. It was invented by Nikola Tesla in 1891 and primarily used in wireless telegraphy.

The Centre for Life believes it is the only venue in the country to be exhibiting a musical Tesla Coil.

Video: Black Sabbath in science - an example of Tesla Coil functioning by ArcAttack

Joe Daunt for Sky Tyne and Wear, 27 March 2013

Black Sabbath bandmate Ozzy Osbourne Offers Update on Tony Iommi’s Health

After the treatment against the lymphoma cancer ,which consisted in radio and chemotherapy which Tony has last year, he feels good. According to his bandmate Ozzy Osbourne – Sabbath axeman is doing quite well.

In an interview to an Australian rock site “Rip It Up” Osbourne tells: “Tony’s fine, but he can only go out on the road for six weeks at a time as he has to have infusions or some s… for his immune system. I was amazed that during his chemotherapy he was still writing songs. My heart goes out to him, because when Sharon had cancer a few years back, she was so sick from chemotherapy she could barely get out of bed. It’s like having a football kick to the nuts. The chemotherapy is worse than the cancer – Sharon was like [the possessed child Regan in] ‘The Exorcist,’ having seizures all the time. Tony is doing really well though.”

Our hearts goes out to Tony too! We have been anxiously following the news about his health. On last photographs posted on Black Sabbath’s Official Facebook page, Tony looks fine, he visibly recovered, and his hair had grown back. Now, when the terrible disease is gone, we wish Tony all the best, strongest health, professional success, and of course, all his dreams to come true!

Our Iron Man is back!

18 March 2013