ROCKET RANT – Why I’m Boycotting The New BLACK SABBATH Album

I am boycotting the new BLACK SABBATH studio album because firstly Ozzy, Tony and Geezer, along with the entire heavy metal media are selling it as a ‘reunion record’ when the truth of the matter is that without original drummer Bill Ward, this is not a reunion at all. The album tentatively titled ’13’ – which only happens to be the name of Megadeth’s latest CD (TH1RT3EN), wherein the track “Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)” off the crtically acclaimed disc happens to be nominated for a Grammy this year for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance.

Producer Rick Rubin suggested the band replace Bill, who was not happy with the contract he was being offered, so who do they bring in out of the literal smörgåsbord of incredible rock/metal drummers in the world? The dude from 90’s rap/metal group Rage Against The Machine: Brad Wilk. Say what? I mean, I am not saying the guy isn’t a talented drummer, but I think they could have come up with a more veteran performer. Perhaps someone that was more their ‘age’, so this just didn’t seem like such a ‘sell out’ move. The fact remains to be seen if Wilk can fulfill the role as needed. Maybe he can pull it off, sure… but ‘pull it off’ for what could be the last Sabbath record ever… well, that just isn’t good enough for this longtime fan, who has been listening to their music since 1976… when my big brother introduced me to them at 6 years of age! To me, they just settled for Wilk and that don’t sit right.

Another big problem I have is that Geezer himself went on the record to say that ’13’ is not going to be a ‘metal’ record. Come again? Your band happens to be credited as the creator of heavy metal music you jack asses! Millions of devoted metal music fans that made you famous in the first place that have been waiting decades for a ‘reunion’ album and now not only do we have to accept that Bill Ward is not a part of it, but now it’s not even going to be designed as a heavy metal offering. Maybe they want it to have a wider appeal, I dunno. But to turn your back on who you are to move more units… well, now that’s not just lame, that’s fucking insulting!

I also understand that one of the album titles has been set as “God Is Dead”. I don’t know but for a group that was technically the first Christian metal band due to the fact that their lyrics spoke against Satan and his evil ways… this is pure insanity. A lot of dopes think Sabbath was evil, when Geezer will tell you himself that the song “N.I.B.” is about Satan falling in love with a human woman and changing, becoming a good person. So what’s with the blasphemous title? God is not dead… he lives in each and every one of us. Sure, you can take the hand of Satan and be lead down a path of literal doom, that’s your deal. So I just find it questionable how they are framing their ‘message’.

In the end, people like me are getting sick and tired of seeing our heroes do ‘cash grab moves’ and play around with the emotion of the fan, only to shit on them in the end. In this case, you are shitting on us as hard as you shit on the great Bill Ward, who was only asking for a fair contract. The man has literally been there from the start. And now… after all these years, he’s just kicked to the side. It’s not acceptable and neither is this record.

I am boycotting it and I will not be a part of the promoting machine that just turns the other cheek. You all need to start looking to God in your lives and stop being a part of the goddamn problem. We as critics or reviewers are obligated to speak up for the fans and I can tell you that I have received hundreds of messages of online support since I said how I felt about this whole bullshit affair.

This should never have come to this. If they couldn’t get Ward for a proper reunion… don’t sell it as one. They should rename the band (how about Black Rage?) and leave the incredible legacy of Black Sabbath alone. My main concern is how bad this album could blow up in their faces. These cats ain’t getting any younger and how many more opportunities will there be to do a true reunion album? Something like this could negate all of that. Imagine if this thing really is a turkey… how that will affect everything they accomplished before that. I’m not saying it will – just why even give it a chance of ever happening?

http://www.blacksabbath.com/