Big Ears
Music Lover
There is an interesting article on 13 in Classic Rock magazine, in which Geezer Butler discusses the relationship with Rubin, the position with Bill Ward and the responsiblity for the lyrics. The band's perception of the album is a lot different to mine, in that they feel the reunion was worthwhile as they made such a great album. Butler says Osbourne had the ideas for the lyrics and he (Butler) put flesh on the bones. Bill Ward's absence is somewhat unconvincingly put down to his lack of fitness. Osbourne says he now blames himself for the original split, which is a turn up for the books! Regarding The Osbournes, he says and I quote: 'I'm ****ing glad it's gone.' (So why do it in the first place?)
Understandably, Ronnie Dio's sudden illness and Iommi's cancer permeate the interviews. Tellingly, the guitarist said he thought he was finished. Osbourne, encouragingly says, 'Tony is ****ing iron man, he'll probably outlive us all!' Let's hope he's right. Iommi speaks fondly of Butler and Osbourne, as if his illness has encouraged the bandmates to put their differences behind them, which I found quite touching actually. Chillingly, his treatment, which is ongoing, gave him a numbness and tingling in his fingers. Of Bill Ward, he said, 'You've got to give up at some point.'
Iommi explains that he feels alright, but looks weak because he lost weight and his hair. He adds making the album was important because it gave him something on which to focus through 'the darkest days of his life'. He feels that he does not need to make another album, because he can go out on a high. It puts the reunion in perspective. I'm praying for him and hoping they have one more album in them with another producer and maybe drummer?
Overall, the journalists on the magazine love the album, despite their feeling that there is clipping and too much at that. Dave Everley, in his review, gives it 8 out of 10. In a way, I'm glad the journalists haven't torn it to pieces, but I find it a bit 'wanting'. Everley says, 'It is a million times better than most of what followed [their first half-dozen classic albums]', but this could be rephrased as better than much of what followed, but not all.
Understandably, Ronnie Dio's sudden illness and Iommi's cancer permeate the interviews. Tellingly, the guitarist said he thought he was finished. Osbourne, encouragingly says, 'Tony is ****ing iron man, he'll probably outlive us all!' Let's hope he's right. Iommi speaks fondly of Butler and Osbourne, as if his illness has encouraged the bandmates to put their differences behind them, which I found quite touching actually. Chillingly, his treatment, which is ongoing, gave him a numbness and tingling in his fingers. Of Bill Ward, he said, 'You've got to give up at some point.'
Iommi explains that he feels alright, but looks weak because he lost weight and his hair. He adds making the album was important because it gave him something on which to focus through 'the darkest days of his life'. He feels that he does not need to make another album, because he can go out on a high. It puts the reunion in perspective. I'm praying for him and hoping they have one more album in them with another producer and maybe drummer?
Overall, the journalists on the magazine love the album, despite their feeling that there is clipping and too much at that. Dave Everley, in his review, gives it 8 out of 10. In a way, I'm glad the journalists haven't torn it to pieces, but I find it a bit 'wanting'. Everley says, 'It is a million times better than most of what followed [their first half-dozen classic albums]', but this could be rephrased as better than much of what followed, but not all.
), Sabbath is doing a worldwide tour and this will be the last time their fans get to see them, if I am interpreting what Iommi is saying correctly that this is it for Sabbath.
