Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler is sharing an update on the band’s new album, which is set for release later this year.
“We’re finished recording it,” Geezer tells That Metal Show’s Eddie Trunk. “Tony [Iommi]’s back in England putting down a couple of solos. Then we start mixing it in February, and it’ll be out in June.”
“The provisional title is ‘13’, unless we can come up with something more constructive.”
For the new project, Geezer continues his long-established role as principal lyricist for the band.
“I’ve written most of the lyrics," he explains. "Ozzy [Osbourne] comes out with the titles and then gives me an inspiration to write the lyrics, I think we’ve got 16 songs and I’ve written 14 sets of lyrics.”
Sabbath are working with producer Rick Rubin on the project, which is the group’s first studio album together since 1978’s “Never Say Die!”
In advance of the CD's release, Sabbath will head to New Zealand, Australia and Japan for live performances. Additional tour plans will be revealed in the coming months.
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PHOTO: Black Sabbath – Ozzy Osbourne in the studio