Black Sabbath – the band credited with creating heavy metal and one of the most influential bands of all time - today announced their widely rumoured and highly anticipated reunion for their first New Zealand show in nearly 40 years.
Original band members – the Prince of Darkness himself: Ozzy Osbourne, bassist Geezer Butler and guitarist Tony Iommi will make a thunderous return to New Zealand in April 2013 for an arena show at Auckland’s Vector Arena on Saturday April 20 - their first New Zealand concert since performing at the Great Ngaruawahia Music Festival in January 1973.
Hailing from Birmingham, England, Black Sabbath released their self-titled debut album on February 13, 1970. Their follow up album, the seminal masterpiece, UK #1 album Paranoid, - featured the all-time rock anthems War Pigs and Iron Man as well as the title track, Paranoid.
Black Sabbath has sold in excess of 70 million records worldwide.
More than 40 years on, this Iconic band continues to be held in the highest regard:
“Greatest Metal Band of All Time” – MTV
“Amongst the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time” – Rolling Stone
“Iron Man…One of the Greatest Metal Songs of All Time” – VH-1
“Paranoid is the birthplace of heavy metal” – Time Magazine
Black Sabbath was honoured with an induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005, followed by the US Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, where they were inducted by Metallica’s James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich.
In June 2012 Black Sabbath memorably headlined the 10th Download Festival at Donington before a crowd of 100,000. They followed that show in August with a much talked about headlining set at 2012’s sold-out Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago.
Black Sabbath is currently recording their first new studio album in more than 33 years, helmed by seven-time Grammy winning producer, Rick Rubin. The album is due for release in April 2013.
Prepare to be blown away by these living Rock Legends: Black Sabbath. Never Say Die!
Tickets on sale 9.00am Friday November 30th