Black Sabbath’s final album, 13, was supposed to be a victory lap. Reuniting the unholy trinity of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler, it promised a thunderous return to the dark, heavy sounds that birthed heavy metal.
But for the Prince of Darkness himself, a discordant note lingered. In a recent episode of his online show, The Madhouse Chronicles, Ozzy revealed a crucial absence that, in his eyes, left “13” feeling a touch… illegitimate.
“It wasn’t really Black Sabbath because Bill wasn’t there,” the legendary frontman said.
A Reunion with Mixed Emotions
Black Sabbath’s final studio effort was a cause for both celebration and debate among fans. 13 it marked the first time in 35 years that the legendary trio had recorded together since “Never Say Die!”
However, the excitement was tempered by the absence of original drummer Bill Ward. While some saw the reunion of the core members as a dream come true, others felt incomplete without Ward behind the kit.
The music on the record itself sparked further discussion. The production choices, helmed by Rick Rubin, were a point of contention. Rubin’s signature compressed sound, which emphasizes loudness over dynamic range, left some fans wanting a more nuanced listening experience. Even within the band, there were questions about Rubin’s role. Butler expressed reservations about Rubin’s contributions, while Iommi reportedly clashed with the producer during the recording process.
Rubin’s Role in Black Sabbath Reunion
In The Madhouse Chronicles, Osbourne sheds light on Rubin’s involvement with 13. As reported by Blabbermouth, Ozzy recounted how Rubin had long advocated for a reunion and production role.
According to Ozzy, he met Rubin years before 13 and Rubin expressed his desire to produce a Black Sabbath reunion album. This sentiment continued even after the band’s 1997 tour and the following live album Reunion with bonus studio tracks. Ozzy recalls Rubin visiting the studio and offering blunt feedback on the tracks, ultimately walking out after expressing his dislike for one song.
Despite this initial friction, Rubin’s desire for a reunion persisted. Ozzy revealed that his wife and manager, Sharon, eventually approached him with Rubin’s renewed interest in producing a full studio album. This persistence from both Rubin and Sharon ultimately led to the creation of 13.
Black Sabbath and the 13 Production Process
While reflecting on 13, Ozzy also acknowledged a unique approach to the recording process. Though hesitant to call it criticism, he revealed aspects that felt unusual for the band.
The rocker explained how the album differed from their usual creative flow. He stated that unlike previous albums where Tony Iommi often took on a producer role, 13 offered less creative input from the band members. This shift, according to Ozzy, resembled their early days working with producer Rodger Bain, where they were less familiar with studio techniques like double tracking.
“So it was kind of like going straight back to the beginning when we had Rodger Bain and we didn’t know about double tracking and all that,” Ozzy explained, This change in dynamic seemingly required Tony to adjust his usual production involvement, perhaps even swallowing his pride to embrace Rubin’s methods.
An Unfinished Story
Bill Ward’s absence from the reunion and 13 loomed large in Ozzy’s recent comments. While the initial reason given was a “contractual dispute”, Ozzy himself admitted to forgetting the specifics. However, the impact of Bill’s absence was clear.
For Ozzy, without Bill behind the drums, 13 didn’t truly capture the essence of Black Sabbath. “I’ve gotta be truthful. It wasn’t really Black Sabbath because Bill wasn’t there. I mean, if you had Ginger Baker playing with The Beatles, it wouldn’t be The Beatles,” he said.
This lack of Bill’s presence left Ozzy feeling unsatisfied with how Black Sabbath’s story concluded. He expressed a desire for closure, perhaps even a final performance with the original lineup. Ozzy even mused about a surprise club gig, a fitting full-circle moment for a band that started in small venues. The dream of a proper send-off with Ward remains unfulfilled, leaving a sense of incompleteness for Ozzy and many fans.