OZZY OSBOURNE On BLACK SABBATH's Future: 'If It's Goodbye, We're Ending It On A High Note'

May 21, 2014

BLACK SABBATH is scheduled to end the touring cycle for "13" with a massive July 4 gig at London's Hyde Park, and according to guitarist Tony Iommi, it could be the last time SABBATH ever plays live. Iommi told Metal Hammer, "It could be the last ever SABBATH show. I don't want it to be, but there's nothing really planned touring-wise after that show, so for all we know that could be it, really."

Asked about the future of BLACK SABBATH, singer Ozzy Osbourne told GuitarWorld.com, "I never say never. I never thought after 35 years I'd [be back with BLACK SABBATH], have a No. 1 record and a sold-out tour. It's weird, the album was recorded and released in 2013, and it was No. 1 in 13 countries… The number 13 is driving us mad!"

Osbourne continued, "All I can tell you is that if it's goodbye, we're ending it on a high note. Instead of with [1978's] 'Never Say Die!', which we didn't leave each other on friendly terms. The only thing I'm sad about is [original SABBATH drummer] Bill Ward couldn't work things out. But I'm up for another BLACK SABBATH album and tour. If we can, great. If not, I'll just carry on doing my own thing."

Iommi admitted that even if SABBATH does tour again, he does not want to travel as extensively as the legendary group did in the past year. He explained, "To be honest, I don't want to be touring to this extent too much longer, because it makes me feel so bad."

Iommi had to return home for treatments every six weeks during most of the "13" tour, but said that it's now a matter of waiting to see whether the disease comes out of remission. He revealed, "I'm at a stage now where I have no support, which means I have to see whether the cancer is coming back or if it's still there or what. I just don't know. It's a bit of a worry. After we finish this tour, I'll go in and have scan, so we'll see what that shows up."

SABBATH has not ruled out the possibility of making another studio album, with Butler telling Time Out Dubai: "We've still got four tracks left over from ['13'], so maybe we'll fill in the other four or five tracks and put out another album. If it's right. We wouldn't do it just for the sake of it, or the money or whatever. But yeah, maybe."

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