It could be the ultimate Halloween gift, an Australian tour by British metal icons Black Sabbath in 2013, and if rece3nt social media activity by promoters Live Nation are anything to go by that’s exactly what we’re going to get come 10pm tonight.
Last November saw the long-awaited reunion of the classic lineup of Black Sabbath – well, three-quarters of the original lineup to be more precise, with the controversy surrounding drummer Bill Ward’s non-inclusion continuing to unravel.
The world’s biggest concert company, Live Nation, have already been touring the reformed band who have reunited with original frontman Ozzy Osbourne, throughout Europe this year, and manager Sharon Osbourne has already been hinting that the group would tour down under in 2013.
But it was a link to a Youtube video titled ‘Darkness Decends’ this morning on the Live Nation Australia facebook page that has sent Aussie music fans into a frenzy. The 7 second video, shot entirely in black and white, shows overhead shots of chanting fans at an unknown concert, before overlaying the words ’10pm Wednesday #darknessdescends’. You can watch the video above.
Could Darkness Descends be a reference to Ozzy Osbourne’s well known moniker as the Prince Of Darkness? Only time will tell, but Halloween sure seems like the perfect time to make the announcement for a band that pioneered metal music and has long attracted the ire of both family and Christian groups around the globe.
It’s the latest surprise in the Black Sabbath reunion trail, which has seen its fair share of ups and downs since confirming the long-awaited rumours of the reunion of the original lineup in nearly 33 years. By January however, fans were shocked to learn that guitarist Tony Iommi had experienced complications in his ongoing battle with lymphoma.
His intensive treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy forced the newly reunited Sabbath to axe all shows from their world tour, save for their homecoming show in their native Birmingham, as well as their triumphant headline slot at UK’s Download festival last month and an upcoming Lollapalooza appearance.
It wasn’t the first – or even biggest – controversy facing the newly reunited band, with original drummer Bill Ward saying that he would be sitting out until a contract would be written up that was “signable”. The 63-year-old sticksman making his thoughts public with an open letter published on his personal website, saying he couldn’t proceed until a contract that “reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band” is drawn up.
A move that baffled many, particularly former vocalist Tony Martin (who fronted the band from 1987-97 while Iommi was running the show), who remarked in July that the whole reunion saga, including the relationship collapse between Ward and his former bandmates smacked of being a publicity stunt.
Meanwhile, Ward’s spot was filled by Tommy Clufetos, whose previous skin-thumping duties included drumming for Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent and Sabbath’s own Ozzy Osbourne. The vocalist commenting at the time of Ward’s departure and refusal that “there was no row, there was no argument.”
Though admitting that he had not spoken directly to Ward, communicating only through legal representatives, he added that the group were not averse to having Ward back. “The door ain’t closed, whether we work something out up the road, I don’t know,” said the frontman.
“It’s not a personal thing,” added Iommi. “If he phoned us up tomorrow, which he hasn’t, but if he did…”
In response, earlier this month NME reported that of the comeback shows, Ward has said that he wants to be a part of it again. ”If there is some longevity with Black Sabbath, then I’d like to be part of it.”
Adding that, “I wanna play hard rock music. I wanna play loud drums. I love playing with Terry [‘Geezer’ Butler, bass]. I love playing with Oz… and I love playing with Tony [Iommi, guitar]. When Tony opens up with huge chords man, I still get the same shiver up my back than I did when we were 18 year-old kids.”
Regardless of the controversies surrounding the reformation, make sure to have your eyes peeled for 10pm tonight.
