Geezer Butler has revealed that BLACK SABBATH has contemplated making a blues album as a follow-up to 2013's acclaimed comeback effort, "13".
The original lineup of SABBATH came together in 1969 with Butler, Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, Tony Iommi on guitar and Bill Ward on drums. That lineup recorded and toured through 1978, and periodically reformed through the '90s and 2000s for live work.
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They regrouped again in late 2011 for a new album and tour, although Ward dropped out after a few months over financial issues. SABBATH has used Ozzy's regular touring drummer Tommy Clufetos since then for live work. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Brad Wilk laid down the drum tracks on the album "13", which came out in June 2013.
Asked in a new interview with Music Radar if SABBATH has ever considered returning to its roots for a blues project, Butler said: "The follow-up to '13' was going to be a blues album, but the tour got in the way. It would take something like two or three years to do it properly, and we thought we might not all be here by that time, so it would be better to do this final tour first and then maybe we'll do a blues record later."I
When the interviewer pointed out to Butler that it wouldn't take as long for SABBATH to make a blues album if it was done "jam style," Geezer said: "Probably not. You'd have to make it varied instead of doing ten tracks of the same old twelve-bar blues though. But even back in the 'Heaven And Hell' tour days, Tony would go up into his lead and we would just jam around blues riffs for eight or nine minutes. And every night was different. So that is a thought."
Iommi recently said that he wouldn't rule out BLACK SABBATH recording new material or playing a one-off event.
BLACK SABBATH finished its year-long "The End" farewell tour on February 4 in the band's hometown of Birmingham, England, closing out the quartet's groundbreaking 49-year career with an emotional 15-song set.
The band decided to make this tour its last because Iommi, who was diagnosed with cancer in late 2011 and is currently in remission, can no longer travel for extended amounts of time.
Asked if SABBATH's recording days are truly over, Tony said: "No, I don't think we've ruled anything out apart from me not wanting to tour any more on that scale, but who knows, we may do something. We haven't spoken about it. That's another thing — we haven't talked about anything, really, that's to do with what's going to happen afterwards. But I'm sure something can happen somewhere."
Iommi and Butler haven't announced any specific post-SABBATH plans yet, but Osbourne is reportedly at work on a new album, and already has a pair of solo shows scheduled for this summer.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
I thoroughly enjoyed The End show I saw last year, but at this point I'd rather see Chris Cornell out front with Iommi, Butler and Appice nailing Heaven & Hell and Mob Rules in their entirety with a few choice Ozzy era deep cuts thrown in! Bring that to the Fox in Atlanta and I'd pay some big bucks!
I thoroughly enjoyed The End show I saw last year, but at this point I'd rather see Chris Cornell out front with Iommi, Butler and Appice nailing Heaven & Hell and Mob Rules in their entirety with a few choice Ozzy era deep cuts thrown in! Bring that to the Fox in Atlanta and I'd pay some big bucks!
I'd go see the Heaven And Hell times too. When the band performed as Heaven And Hell, they had fun since it was an opportunity to play different music.
I'd love an Iommi blues album. Just spin The Warning and you'll agree too.
[Edited on 4/6/2017 by StratDal]
A blues album with Ozzy would have been terrible. Not a good way to end their recording career.
I like Tony's albums with Glenn Hughes. More of that works for me.
I'd LOVE a loose jammy blues album from Iommi and Butler. Lose the shrill, tinny, distorted guitar. No generic hard rock / metal. Bring back the tone from the first 4 albums. Ditch the keyboards and gloss.
Sabbath took their initial cues from Cream and Ten Years After. I'd be happy to see them go full circle and get loose. StradDal, you nailed it: "The Warning," or even "Heart Like A Wheel" or "Over and Over." Maybe "The Wizard"!
But CM, I do agree that Iommi / Hughes kick ass. I also loved Iommi's solo album with multiple guest singers. "Laughing Man with the Devil Mask!"!!!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed The End show I saw last year, but at this point I'd rather see Chris Cornell out front with Iommi, Butler and Appice nailing Heaven & Hell and Mob Rules in their entirety with a few choice Ozzy era deep cuts thrown in! Bring that to the Fox in Atlanta and I'd pay some big bucks!
Wow!! Never thought of Cornell doing something with those guys. Good call!!
Yeah I think some heavy blues by Iommi would be cool.
I was hoping a few years ago there was going to be a Cornell Jimmy Page project. There were rumors buzzing about that when those two did some sort of talk/ book thing together a while back.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
I like Tony's albums with Glenn Hughes. More of that works for me.
I will second that.
Tony Iommi Black Sabbath Seventh Star with Glenn Hughes. Kind of a bluesy number
Heart Like A Wheel
Dep Sessions with Glenn
From Another World
Fused
Dopamine
'What You're Living For'
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
The idea of Ozzy singing the blues at this stage makes me laugh.
Tony and Geezer under a different name - sure.
I'd LOVE a loose jammy blues album from Iommi and Butler. Lose the shrill, tinny, distorted guitar. No generic hard rock / metal. Bring back the tone from the first 4 albums. Ditch the keyboards and gloss.
Sabbath took their initial cues from Cream and Ten Years After. I'd be happy to see them go full circle and get loose. StradDal, you nailed it: "The Warning," or even "Heart Like A Wheel" or "Over and Over." Maybe "The Wizard"!
But CM, I do agree that Iommi / Hughes kick ass. I also loved Iommi's solo album with multiple guest singers. "Laughing Man with the Devil Mask!"!!!!!
Thanks for the props 
Tony Iommi is my first choice of guitarists I'd love to jam with. It would be a good time for sure!
I like Tony's albums with Glenn Hughes. More of that works for me.
I will second that.
Tony Iommi Black Sabbath Seventh Star with Glenn Hughes. Kind of a bluesy number
Heart Like A Wheel
Dep Sessions with Glenn
From Another WorldFused
Dopamine'What You're Living For'
Giving Heart Like A Wheel a spin right now. Never heard it before. Nice!!!
I like Tony's albums with Glenn Hughes. More of that works for me.
I will second that.
Tony Iommi Black Sabbath Seventh Star with Glenn Hughes. Kind of a bluesy number
Heart Like A Wheel
Dep Sessions with Glenn
From Another WorldFused
Dopamine'What You're Living For'
Giving Heart Like A Wheel a spin right now. Never heard it before. Nice!!!
That actually is a pretty darn good album. Some folks dismiss Black Sabbaths work after the DIO years. I think they put out some good stuff.
Seventh Star
Eternal Idol
Born Again
Headless Cross
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
