cracks showing in original Black Sabbath line-up

Fans looking forward to seeing the original line-up of Black Sabbath headlining the 10th Anniversary of Download may be left disappointed as founding member Bill Ward has hinted he may be be given "the cold shoulder".

Black Sabbath's original drummer, Bill Ward, has released a statement via his official Facebook page, (here), which gives the impression that Bill Ward may not appear with Black Sabbath on their upcoming world tour.

Ward has pulled out of reuniting before, in 2006 he was set join Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Ronnie James Dio before the Heaven & Hell tour. However, he decided not to participate in the tour or continue participation in the band due to musical differences with "a couple of the other band members".

Dear Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties,

At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a "signable" contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band. Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another 'unsignable' contract was handed to me.

Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with Black Sabbath. Since the news of Tony's illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I've spent everyday getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I've tried to find out what's going on with the U.K. sessions, I've realized that I've been getting "the cold shoulder" (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what'shappening unless I sign 'the unsignable contract'.

The place I'm in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, Ialso have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.

If I'm replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to Sabbath is intact.

So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I'm good to go IF I get a 'signable' contract. I don't want to let anyone down, especially Black Sabbath and all the Sabbath fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in Rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.

My position is not greed-driven. I'm not holding out for a 'big piece' of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I’d like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I've brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning.

That's the story so far.

Stay safe and stay strong.

I love every single one of you.

--Bill Ward

Already there's some doubt as to whether the original line-up will be able to appear after guitarist Tony Iommi was diagnosed with the early-stages of lymphoma, but he has stated he intends to proceed with the band's long-awaited comeback,

Download which takes place at Donington Park over the weekend of Friday 8th to Sunday 10th June 2012 with The Prodigy headline the Friday, Metallica Saturday playing their untitled 'black album' in it's entirety, and Black Sabbath will headline Sunday. Also confirmed are Also confirmed are Soundgarden, Chase & Status, Biffy Clyro, Slash, Rise Against, Megadeth, Steel Panther, Black Label Society, Billy Talent, Five Finger Death Punch, Kyuss Lives, Terrorvision, As I Lay Dying, Fear Factory, Periphery, Ginger (The Wildhearts), Reckless Love, You Me At Six, Tenacious D, Machine Head, Trivium, Lamb Of God, Devin Townsend, Devildriver, Little Angels, Anthrax, Ugly Kid Joe, and August Burns Red. For the line-up details as available please click here.

A weekend arena ticket with 3 nights camping is priced at £180, a five nights camping weekend ticket are priced at £190 and offers access to the Download camp site from midday Wednesday, and a weekend only ticket without camping is priced at £145. Lockers are priced at £12.50, car parking £15 in advance (motorbikes are free), campervan supplements were priced at £60 and have sold out, and VIP packages are also available (VIP camping has already sold out). Day tickets will be available at a later date.

To buy tickets from Seetickets, click here.

To buy tickets from Ticketline, click here.

To buy tickets from Gigantic, click here.

To buy tickets from Ticketmaster, click here.

eFestivals wishes Tony Iommi a speedy recovery.

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