Upon what is normally a sombre day of reflection dedicated to those who have put themselves in the lines of fire and for freedom, a happy piece of news for the heavy metal community. After much speculation and news that new music was being written, the original Earth / Black Sabbath lineup of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward will work together again to record a new album and do a world tour in 2012.

It only seemed inevitable with the passing of Ronnie James Dio that Black Sabbath would again continue in some form. How great it is, that the band who has had a significant impact on the lives of many including my own can go back out to reach its existing fan base while connecting with a new generation of fans.

The music of Black Sabbath contains one very special quality that is most prevalent. Longevity.

The first Black Sabbath record remains my favourite album from any genre of music ever. It is Black Sabbath at its finest. Showing its early blues roots while incorporating the foundational fabric of what heavy metal is supposed to be. Black Sabbath was a wake-up call to the world. It challenged fans and critics alike to be aware of the real world around them. Many Fundamentalist Religious groups still look down upon Sabbath as being some sort of force for evil.

Sidebar – It is rather odd that religious groups still take to criticizing the band for its storytelling ability, especially given the lyrics to “After Forever”.  This track’s pro-christian lyrics were written by bassist Geezer Butler as a reflection of his catholic beliefs. Even though I may disagree with Butler’s religious views, the track is still a bona fide classic and should have silenced those critics.

The Ozzy Osbourne era of Black Sabbath is still the most identified set of music with the Sabbath name. While I wish to never take anything away from the importance the other vocalists have played, it is really historic that the original will be able to take to the stage again and with new music. Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler have written some of the greatest riffs in metal, and music for that matter. Fans can only speculate what this new music will be like.

The metal community waits anxiously, but happily for new compositions and new stories.