13 was the band’s first record since 1995’s Forbidden — and their first studio recording with Ozzy Osbourne in 35 years. “It’s sort of got the feel of the first three albums — back to the basic rawness,” explained bassist Geezer Butler to 96.7 KCAL Rocks (via Blabbermouth) at the time. “And the lyrics are very… They’re just about life…. Life and death and doom and everything else. You get Prozac with every album.” The critically-acclaimed eight-track record, their 19th, topped the charts in nine countries and even landed the band’s first Grammy, awarded for the Best Metal Performance with their lead single God is Dead?
But, even though Ozzy and the band toyed around with a follow-up, the success of 13 wasn’t enough to convince them to record another. It’s understandable: Osbourne, Butler and guitarist Tony Iommi — who has been battling cancer since 2012 — are now all in their late 60s. “In December, I’ll be f—in’ 68, and I think it’s time to call it the end of the day,” said Osbourne. “I’m not saying I won’t get on stage with Geezer or Tony [Iommi] or any of them some time, but officially we’re going to be done.”
Their final tour, which begins January 20th in Omaha, Nebraska is still in the works, though. After a month long leg of U.S. dates, Sabbath will hit Europe in June and July before finishing off with another string of dates stateside in August and September.
