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Black Sabbath Slate Back-to-Basics Album ’13’ for June

black sabbath, 13, ozzy osbourne

Months after Black Sabbath announced 13, the heavy metal gods’ first album with Ozzy Osbourne in 35 years, the Masters of Reality have finally revealed the much-anticipated LP’s unholy release date. On June 11, Sabbath followers can relive the Birmingham outfit’s early, bluesy days by taking home this back-to-basics effort.

Pre-orders of 13 are currently available through Black Sabbath’s official website and come in four different formats (via Vertigo and Vertigo/Republic): a standard CD; a double-CD deluxe edition that comes with exclusive bonus material; a 12-inch 180-gram vinyl LP; and a “Super Deluxe Box Set” packaged with the double-disc CD, the 12-inch vinyl, an exclusive DVD containing a documentary titled Black Sabbath–The Re-union and five behind-the-scenes videos, a download card featuring a track by track interview with the band, hand-written album lyrics, and 13 photographic prints.

Plus, anyone who pre-orders 13 will be entered into a contest to win a pair of VIP tickets to an official album launch event in London. That deal guarantees flights, accommodation, and a meet-and-greet with Sabbath.

Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, and bassist Geezer Butler recorded 13 with Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk filling in for original stick-man Bill Ward, who skipped this current reunion because of “contract disputes.” Producing guru Rick Rubin helmed the recording sessions and urged the group not to overthink their return to form.

“We originally were a jazz-blues band,” Osbourne said recently. “On the first album, it was very bluesy, very jammy, and that’s what Rick wanted. He didn’t want the songs to be verse, chorus, verse, chorus, middle eight, bridge — he wanted it to flow.”

Sabbath also just shared a quick peek into their studio time with Rubin. “The idea that we’re making an album that hopefully can sit alongside the best Black Sabbath albums is exciting,” Rubin says in the three-minute clip. “We’ve worn out the old ones.” Watch that “making of” video up top and scroll down for Black Sabbath’s upcoming tour dates.

Black Sabbath 2013 tour dates:

April 20 – 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
May 1 – Melbourne, AU @ Rod Laver Arena
May 4 – Perth, AU @ Perth Arena
May 7 – Adelaide, AU @ Adelaide Entertainment Center
May 12 – Tokyo, JP @ Ozzfest Japan