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The Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne has said emotions will be running high when Black Sabbath play their farewell gig at Birmingham’s Genting Arena on Saturday night.

Black Sabbath, who were formed in 1968, have come home to Birmingham to put an end to their lengthly career, as Ozzy says after nearly five decades the band has "run its course.”

Black Sabbath are preparing for their last ever show

Continue reading: Ozzy Osbourne Predicts Tears As He Prepares For Black Sabbath's Farewell Gig

This year the festival boasts a stellar line-up with Rammstein, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden all headlining respectively. But that's not all. With Korn, Deftones, Megadeth, Disturbed, Nightwish and many other bands taking to the stages at this year's Download Festival it is set to be a killer weekend.

In light of the unexpected and sad news of the passing of Motorhead's Lemmy earlier this year, the main stage has aptly been renamed The Lemmy Stage. Rammstein return to Download for the second year to headline on the Lemmy stage on the Friday night and many will be expecting an anarchic live performance. The band are due to be preceded by Korn and Killswitch Engage whom will be attracting veteran rock lovers in large crowds.

Continue reading: Download Festival 2016 Preview

Grammy Awards Glory: Last Sunday's Grammy Awards proved probably the most spectacular ceremony in living memory. The most enviable of all performance line-ups entertained a near-record 28.5 million viewers, with Madonna, Daft Punk, Beyoncé and Jay Z, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Kendrick Lamar, Imagine Dragons, Stevie Wonder, Nile Rodgers, Ringo Starr, Sir Paul McCartney, Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age and Dave Grohl all showing off their skills.

As for the small matter of the actual awards, Pharrell Williams, Daft Punk and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis were the evening's big winners whilst newcomer Lorde picked up two gongs and Jay Z and Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Kacey Musgraves and Black Sabbath were also prominent victors. This, year, perfect pop princess Taylor Swift went home empty-handed, which made for some pretty funny videos.

Continue reading: A Week In News: Grammys Glory, Bad Boy Bieber, Retiring Rockers, And The Wild, Wild West

Ozzy Osbourne has reflected upon one of the more bemusing incidents of last night's Grammy Awards. The 65 year-old rock star was tasked with introducing former Beatle Ringo Starr at the glitzy music event in Los Angeles. The Grammys organisers had made it simple for the Black Sabbath frontman: all he had to do was stand on stage with his bandmates and read from a teleprompter.

Awards Show Veteran Ozzy Osbourne Fluffed His Lines.

Ozzy, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler headed to the stage for the introduction and the singer began to read the script. However, Ozzy soon lost pace and jumbled up his words to form an incoherent stream of babble, according to Fox News. Tony and Geezer burst into laughter at their band chum's ineptness but Twitter reactions soon took the shape of a collective eye-roll as exasperated Grammys viewers questioned the rocker's sobriety.

Continue reading: Ozzy Osbourne Explains Muddled Ringo Starr Grammys Intro: "I Completely F***ed It Up!"

Robin Thicke is having one heck of a summer so far, seeing his single 'Blurred Lines' climb to the top of just about every singles chart across the globe. With the release of his new album, also titled Blurred Lines, the singer has continued his run of blurry success by landing straight at the number one spot in the Billboard Album Charts, a first for the R&B star in his more-than-a-decade-long career.

Thicke is experiencing the most successful period of his career

As reported by Billboard, Thicke has scored his first number one album at the sixth time of asking, shifting 177,000 copies since it was released last week (30 July). As expected, this success has also landed Thicke with his best week of album sales in his career, with his closest equivalent coming when 2008's Something Else managed 137,000 sales, landing it at the No. 3 spot. Interestingly enough, 2013 has proved to be the year of the comeback as Blurred Lines has become the sixth album to reach No. 1 more than a decade after the artist's debut album was released. Prior to him, Black Sabbath, Queens Of The Stone Age, Daft Punk, Gary Allan and Chris Tomlin all scored number ones with their new releases.

Continue reading: Robin Thicke's 'Blurred Lines' Earns Him First No. 1 Debut In Album Chart

Black Sabbath are back, well and truly too, with the Gods of metal scoring their first ever number one album on the US Billboard Chart, with their comeback album 13 shooting to the top of the charts after nearly 50 years of waiting. The album ended a forty plus year wait for band to return to the top of the UK Album charts when it took the top spot last week, but in scoring their first US number one the band have performed quite a remarkable feat.

Upon hearing the news, the active members of the group each issued a statement exclaiming their shock at the success of the album, with guitarist Tony Iommi stating, "The news is absolutely amazing--we couldn't have imagined this would happen. We have the greatest fans," whilst bassist Geezer Butler had this to say; "I'm absolutely stunned. Thank you all world wide for being the best, and most patient, fans ever."

Frontman Ozzy Osbourne was equally as overwhelmed with the success saying; "There have been so many amazing highlights in our long career. To finally have our first #1 album in the U.S. is another incredible milestone for Black Sabbath. Thank you to all of our fans for their support and loyalty."

Continue reading: Black Sabbath Score Their First Ever US Number One Album And Another Could Be On Its Way

Is it possible that in the 43 years since Black Sabbath’s debut on Billboard, the band have never had a number 1? Not only is it possible, it was true, until this week they finally broke the top spot with the arrival of “13”. This record marks a big moment for Black Sabbath – not only is it their first record to start at Number 1, with 155, 000 copies sold, according to Billboard, but it also marks the band’s reunion with singer Ozzy Osbourne, who has been absent from the lineup since 1978’s “Never Say Die”. Presumably, he was off all this time pursuing a new found calling of being a reality TV husband and dad.

Well, he has been pursuing a solo career as well and, as far as the Billboard Chart is concerned, a more successful one than that of the band. He’s had seven Top 10 titles on his own, though, again, none of them managed to crack the Number 1.

"13's" launch of 155,000 is also easily the biggest sales week for the band since SoundScan started tracking sales in 1991. Their previous best frame came when the live set "Reunion" bowed with 62,000 back in 1998 at No. 11. The new release is only the group's second top 10, following 1971's "Master of Reality," which peaked at No. 8.

Continue reading: 43 Years Later, Black Sabbath Finally Take Over The Billboard Chart

It's taken 43 years, countless splits, reunions and line-up changes, but Black Sabbath have soared to the top of the UK Album Chart to claim their first number one album in over 40 years. 13 marks the triumphant return of the metal Gods and in returning to the top of the album charts the Birmingham rockers even set a new chart record; having the longest gap between no. 1 albums with a whopping 43 years coming between 1970's Paranoid and 2013's 13.

The album ran straight to the top of the mid-week chart when it was released at the beginning of last week and although there was strong competition from Disclosure, Daft Punk, Queens of the Stone Age and Rod Stewart the album stayed strong and scored the group their long-awaited number one distinction. Their new record added five years to the previous record held by Bob Dylan, whose 1970 album New Morning started a 38-year wait until 2009's Together Through Life took him back to the top of the charts.

Clearly surprised by the success of the album, frontman Ozzy Osbourne described himself as "in shock" about the exceptional run the album is on during an interview with OfficialCharts.com. He told the website how the band have "never had a record climb the charts so fast" before and added his own thought on why the album has been a success, saying, "we've got something other people haven't got ... the likes of Rod and us have got something different. We know our craft."

Continue reading: Black Sabbath Nab First Number One Album In 43 Years

Black Sabbath are back and it looks like they're back with a bang too, with the metal overlords looking set to score their first number one on the album chart in 43 years. 13 was released at the beginning of this week and it has been slowly creeping up the charts, and it could have a good chance of reaching the coveted spot by the end of the week.The album - the first to feature the (mostly) original lineup of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler (drummer Burt Ward was forced to sit out the recording process because of health reasons) in 35-years - currently sits at the top of the mid-week charts, however it cannot officially claim to be an official number one until the end of the week. With no real threat in the charts to challenge it for the top spot - bar Liam Gallagher’s Beady Eye perhaps - so it looks like the band may be on to recreate the feat their 1970 album Paranoid.

The album was produced by acclaimed Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin and features Rage Against The Machine’s Brad Wilkes sitting in for Ward, and critics are hailing the album as a return to the doom-laded guitar riffs of the band's classic albums from the 70's. Frontman Osbourne declared his surprise at the album's success earlier today, saying “I can’t believe Black Sabbath may have its first number one album in 43 years.”

The band will continue their world tour in support of the album over the rest of the year, having already played in New Zealand, Australia and parts of Asia. The tour reaches London's O2 Arena in December and will arrive at Houston's Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion on July 25.

Showing the blackest of their hearts - now presumably kept pulsing with pacemakers - Black Sabbath have released first single from  new album 13 : 'God Is Dead?' with an accompanying video that depicts swirling green galaxies, blood bathed streets and eerily fuzzy TV screens.

At first listen, Black Sabbath's brand new single 'God Is Dead?' has all the tell-tale signs of Rick Rubin's slick production; a man whose capable hands are famed for reinvigorating scores of rock bands, such as ZZ Top.

The track settles into clonging, downbeat death-knell guitars and decidedly evil lyrics from Ozzy, with some "novel" rhyming ("out of the gloom I rise up from my tomb into impending doom"), which forms the first 6 minutes of their 9 minute epic, before picking up pace and volume, eventually breaking out climatically into pure metal heaven as Ozzy cries out "God Is Dead!" over Geezer's rolling drumbeat thumps and a classic heavy riffage that will bring tears of joy to fans.

Continue reading: Black Sabbath Release New Single 'God Is Dead?' From Album, '13' [Video]

Metal overlords Black Sabbath are back, and not for the first time either, only this time round they've got a brand new album full of original stuff. And this might not be the last time we see the Brummie boys in the studio either, with bassist Geezer Butler admitting in an interview this week that he would be open to another album.

Featuring an almost entirely original line-up (drummer Bill Ward was not present for recording because of health problems) since 1978's Never Say Die, the band will stay true to the title of their last album with Ozzy Osbourne as frontman and release 13 later this month. Although it has been labelled as the 'final' album from the band, by the press and Sabbath themselves, after a string of successful reunion shows over the past year, Geezer spoke with Billboard this week when he revealed that he has been encouraged by the success to enough to think that another album could be a possibility.

"Let's put it this way; it's taken us 35 years to do this one," Butler told Billboard, "So if there's gonna be (another) album there's gonna be an album but I don't want to say if there's going to be a follow-up. I wouldn't mind doing another Sabbath album with them, though."

Continue reading: Black Sabbath Overwhelmed With Response To Come-Back Album: Could Another One Be In The Pipeline?

Black Sabbath made their monumental return to the studio to record their first album with an almost entirely original line-up (drummer Bill Ward was not present for recording because of health problems) since 1978's Never Say Die, with 13 being released later this month.

Confident from how things went this time round, bassist Geezer Butler has now said that despite it taking some 35 years for the group to record their new album together, the band could be persuaded to go back to the studio much sooner this time around. Although touted as the 'final' album from the band following a string of successful reunion shows over the past year, Geezer was speaking with Billboard this week when he revealed that, like the title of the 1978 album, that he is holding on to a 'never say never' resolution as to where the metal founders might go next.

"Let's put it this way; it's taken us 35 years to do this one," Butler told Billboard, adding, "So if there's gonna be (another) album there's gonna be an album but I don't want to say if there's going to be a follow-up. I wouldn't mind doing another Sabbath album with them, though."

Continue reading: Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler Hints At Another New Album From The Band

North American Tour Dates Announced For Troubled Ozzy Osbourne’s Black Sabbath Is this really a good idea for Ozzy? As rumours of a split between Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon gradually seem to carry more weight, the Black Sabbath singer now needs to prepare to go on tour. Reports have suggested that Ozzy and Sharon’s split is down to his substance addictions; surely going on tour with his rock band isn’t the best place for getting over such problems?

Luckily for Ozzy, he currently only has four dates to contend with, they’re not until August and they’re spread out across the course of a month so hopefully he’ll be able to keep himself out of trouble. The band also have a new album planned, entitled 13, according to Rolling Stone magazine, so presumably, they’ll be busy doing promo work for that in between the live dates. The album’s planned for release on June 11th and is the band’s first with Ozzy Osbourne since 1978’s Never Say Die! 13 is produced by Rick Rubin and contains eight new tracks. The lead track, ‘End of the Beginning,’ will debut on the season finale of CSI.

Last year, the band was forced to postpone a planned tour when their guitarist Tony Iommi was diagnosed with early stage lymphoma. Since he underwent treatment, the band have booked shows in Europe, Australia Japan and New Zealand.

Continue reading: Could This Spell Trouble For Ozzy? Black Sabbath North American Tour Dates Announced

Ozzy Osbourne has admitted bingeing on drink and drugs for the last 18 months, following news that he has separated from wife Sharon. The British singer released a statement on his Facebook page, revealing that he's been in a "very dark place" and apologizing to his family.

"Just to set the record straight, Sharon and I are not divorcing," Osbourne, 64, said, "I'm just trying to be a better person." The lead singer of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath - who will tour in the UK later this year, said he had been drinking and taking drugs for the last year and a half though has been sober for 44 days. "I would like to apologize to Sharon, my family, my friends," added the rocker, before saying he'd behaved like "an asshole" to the people he loved the most.

Though Ozzy was one of the world's most recognizable rockers, he and his somewhat dysfunctional family gained worldwide fame after starring in their own MTV reality show 'The Osbournes,' which gave an insight into their family life in Beverly Hills. Since then, Sharon has judged and hosted numerous reality shows, Kelly has forged a career in fashion criticism, and Jack has remained on television. Ozzy has kept a relatively low profile in comparison.

Continue reading: Into The Void: Ozzy Osbourne Has Been On Drink And Drugs For 18 Months

Black Sabbath have revealed that they are recording their first album together with original members for the first time since 1978's Never Say Die, with the album set to be titled 13.

Three of the original four members - Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler - have been in the studio recording the long awaited album for the past few months, enlisting the help of Rage Against The Machine drummer Brad Wilk on drums to stand in for Bill Ward. Unfortunately health problems have plagued Ward and as such, with a heavy heart, the band have had to continue without him. Iommi assessed the situation with Ward in November last year, telling Blaring Out magazine: "We'll always have a heart for Bill, but I think it's gone past that now, because it's gone on so long I don't see that happening at the moment."

In the interview, Iommi also revealed that the album will be 15 tacks long and it has also been revealed that the album was produced by the legendary Rick Rubin, who has worked with such artists as System of a Down, Jay Z, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Metallica and Johnny Cash. On top of this, the band have also announced a number of tour dates for the near future, in Australia, New Zealand and Japan's Ozzfest, and are expected to extend these dates as well as perform on the festival circuit.

Continue reading: 35 Years Later Black Sabbath Are Back In The Studio

Rocker Ozzy Osbourne has revealed that he can't remember anything from his quad bike accident in 2003 which left him in intensive care in a UK hospital.

The former Black Sabbath frontman is a guest on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross tonight on BBC1 and discusses the accident with Ross, which occurred just days after his last appearance on the show.

"I can't remember what happened, my heart stopped twice, the first thing I remember was seven days later  but I was only going at three miles an hour. I always used to say I'm going to die by the time I'm 40, I always thought something like that would happen to me," Ozzy said.

Ozzy, 58, also spoke of his two children, Jack and Kelly Osbourne, who were thrust into the spotlight during their teenage years on the TV reality show which was filmed at the Osbourne's home.

"Overnight they were celebrities and didn't know how to handle it. [Now] Jack's great, he goes round and lectures in schools, tells them his story, young people can relate to him," the rocker said.

"At the beginning [the TV show] was great fun but then it got really tiring. You'd get a creepy feeling there was a camera around you all the time even when there wasn't."

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne's home in Buckinghamshire was burgled in 2004 and Ozzy tackled an intruder who managed to get away with a valuable quantity of jewellery.

"I sleepwalk a lot, I was naked," the rocker said. "There was this guy bent down. I thought 'am I dreaming?' Like a fool I ran at him and then thought 'now what', so I just let him go."

Also appearing on the chat show tonight are Doctor Who star Freema Agyeman and presenter Justin Lee Collins.

The programme will be shown on BBC1 at 22:35 BST.

Continue reading: Ozzy: I Can't Remember Bike Accident