Reunited Black Sabbath Announce 13, 1st Studio LP In 35 Years

Black Sabbath

Reunited Black Sabbath Announce 13, 1st Studio LP In 35 Years

Black Sabbath

The original Black Sabbath lineup officially reunited in November 2011 to play some shows and record a new album — their first since 1978’s Never Say Die — with producer Rick Rubin. Last February, drummer Bill Ward left the reunited Sabbath, after failing to agree on contract terms, presumably slowing down progress in the studio. But Brad Wilk (of Rage Against The Machine) has filled in behind the kit, and the band have now announced both an album title — 13 — as well as a release date: this June.

The title is presumably a reference to the year in which the album will be released, as it’s the band’s 19th LP overall and their ninth with Ozzy. It’s hard to expect much from Sabbath at this point, although it’s not like their influence has waned much over the last three and a half decades (our No. 1 metal album of 2012 had a distinct Sabbath vibe), and they couldn’t have chosen a better producer for the project. The album will be released on Vertigo Records (the label that released Sabbath’s 1970 debut) and it will surely be supported by hundreds of tour dates.

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