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Did Black Sabbath’s Bassist Just Leak Rage Against the Machine’s Secret Tour Plans?

black sabbath, u.s. tour

Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler may have let slip that Rage Against the Machine are up to something, possibly a tour.

In an interview with Metal Insider, Sabbath’s Butler hinted that the reunited metal gods, in addition to their already confirmed performances in New Zealand, Australia, and Japan in support of their upcoming album, 13 (out this June), are North America bound. “We start at the end of April in New Zealand, then we go to Australia, then Japan. June, we’ll be promoting the album, then July and August [is] U.S.A. Then October is South America and Europe in November and December.”

That leaves the small matter of finding a touring drummer, though. Original percussionist Bill Ward pulled out of the reunion last year because of “contract disputes.” The Butler drops the bomb that while Rage Against the Machine’s Brad Wilk drummed on 13, he may not be able to tour with Sabbath due to scheduling conflicts: “We’re not sure yet,” Butler said. “We don’t know because I think Brad’s got commitments with Rage Against the Machine.”

Who to the what now? Tom Morello very recently said Rage might never play live together again, and Butler’s statement flies right in the face of that, unless Rage are planning something non-tour-related. Say, new music, perhaps?

Another potential candidate to join Sabbath on the road: Ozzy Osbourne’s drummer, Tommy Clufetos, who performed with the group last summer. “So it’ll probably be either Tommy or Brad, depending on their commitments,” Butler said.

Black Sabbath’s 13 is one of 50 Albums You Gotta Hear in 2013, and will be the band’s first full-length with Ozzy Osbourne in 35 years. The last time Osbourne handled lead vocals was on 1978’s Never Say Die! Find Sabbath’s upcoming tour dates below.

Black Sabbath 2013 tour dates:

April 20 – Auckland, NZ @ Vector Arena
April 21 – Auckland, NZ @ Vector Arena
April 22 – Auckland, NZ @ Vector Arena
April 25 – Brisbane, AU @ Entertainment Centre
April 27 – Sydney, AU @ All Phones Arena
April 29 – Melbourne, AU @ Rod Laver Arena
April 30 – Melbourne, AU @ Rod Laver Arena
May 1 – Melbourne, AU @ Rod Laver Arena
May 4 – Perth, AU @ Perth Arena
May 12 – Tokyo, JP @ Ozzfest Japan