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Ozzy Osbourne Apologizes for Drug, Alcohol Abuse as Black Sabbath Plot U.S. Tour

Ozzy Osbourne, black sabbath, 13, sharon osbourne

Black Sabbath’s upcoming 13 LP, the heavy metal legends‘ first record with Ozzy Osbourne in 35 years, has been touted for months as a “back to basics” effort and “the most important album” of Osbourne’s career. Now the iconic band — currently comprised of original members Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, and bassist Geezer Butler — have finally unveiled the pending full-length’s track list, along with an extensive tour schedule that will bring the Masters of Reality to North America, Europe, Australia, and Japan.

On June 11, Sabbath followers will get eight new songs to worship, all clocking in between four-and-a-half minutes (“Zeitgeist”) and eight minutes (“End of the Beginning”). As previously reported, the blues-sludge vets will debut 13‘s opening track, the aforementioned “End of the Beginning,” on the May 15 season finale of CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, but that won’t be the first song fans will get to hear from the forthcoming release. According to a press release, Black Sabbath will premiere the new album’s lead single, “God Is Dead?”, across Clear Channel radio stations on April 18 at 3 p.m. EST.

Sabbath also detailed their upcoming live schedule and announced the first four North American dates of their world tour. Following spring gigs in New Zealand, Australia, and Japan, the Paranoid rockers will cross the Atlantic to invade New Jersey’s PNC Bank Arts Center on August 4; Toronto’s Air Canada Centre on August 14; Seattle’s Gorge Amphitheatre; and Los Angeles’ Memorial Sports Arena on September 3, before heading back to Europe for another round of gigs. Tickets for those shows go on sale on April 20, but fans can click here to RSVP for pre-sale offers that will be available on April 18.

In other Sabbath-related news, Ozzy Osbourne came clean on Facebook yesterday (April 15) about his recent drug and alcohol abuse. “For the last year and a half I have been drinking and taking drugs,” the 64-year-old singer posted. “I was in a very dark place and was an asshole to the people I love most, my family.” Osbourne added that he has now been sober for more than 40 days and is “trying to be a better person.” This statement came on the heels of rumors that the legendary frontman was divorcing his wife of more than 30 years, Sharon Osbourne.

“Just to set the record straight, Sharon and I are not divorcing,” Ozzy wrote on Facebook. Find his entire statement — as well as Black Sabbath’s tour schedule and the track list to 13 — down below.

For the last year and a half I have been drinking and taking drugs. I was in a very dark place and was an asshole to the people I love most, my family. However, I am happy to say that I am now 44 days sober. 

Just to set the record straight, Sharon and I are not divorcing. I’m just trying to be a better person.

I would like to apologize to Sharon, my family, my friends and my band mates for my insane behavior during this period………and my fans. 

God Bless,

Ozzy

Black Sabbath 2013 tour dates:

April 20 – Auckland, New Zealand @ Vector Arena
April 22 – Auckland, New Zealand @ Vector Arena
April 25 – Brisbane, Australia @ Entertainment Centre
April 27 – Sydney, Australia @ All Phones Arena
April 29 – Melbourne, Australia @ Rod Laver Arena
May 1 – Melbourne, Australia @ Rod Laver Arena
May 4 – Perth, Australia @ Perth Arena
May 7 – Adelaide, Australia @ Adelaide Entertainment Center
May 12 – Tokyo, Japan @ Ozzfest Japan
August 4 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
August 14 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
August 24 – Seattle, WA @ Gorge Amphitheatre
September 3 – Los Angeles, CA @ Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
November 20 – Helsinki, Finland @ Hartwell Arena
November 22 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Friends Arena
November 24 – Oslo, Norway @ Telenor Arena
November 26 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Forum
November 28 – Amsterdam, Holland @ Ziggo Dome
November 30 – Dortmund, Germany @ Westfalenhalle
December 2 – Paris, France @ Bercy
December 5 – Milan, Italy @ Fiera Arena
December 7 – Prague, Czech Republic @ O2 Arena
December 10 – London, U.K. @ O2 Arena
December 12 – Belfast, Ireland @ Odyssey Arena
December 14 – Sheffield, U.K. @ Motorpoint Arena
December 16 – Glasgow, U.K. @ The Hydro
December 18 – Manchester, U.K. @ M.E.N. Arena
December 20 – Birmingham, U.K. @ LG Arena

13 track list:

1.  “End Of The Beginning”
2.  “God Is Dead?”
3.  “Loner”
4.  “Zeitgeist”
5.  “Age Of Reason”
6.  “Live Forever”
7.  “Damaged Soul”
8.  “Dear Father”