Black Sabbath make Download their only Summer live date

Black Sabbath have confirmed that the 10th Anniversary of Download will be their only Summer live date, due to Tony Iommi's battle with lymphoma cancer.

Black Sabbath have released the news as a statement on their website, (here), that Download will be the band's only European live appearance, with Ozzy Osbourne now taking up the majority of the previously scheduled Black Sabbath dates (both festival performances and the headlining shows) billed as Ozzy & Friends.

At this time, Black Sabbath will perform only one show of this summer´s previously scheduled European tour. It will take place Sunday, June 10 at the U.K.'s Download Festival.

So as not to let the promoters and fans down, Ozzy Osbourne will now perform the majority of the previously scheduled Black Sabbath dates (both festival performances and the headlining shows) billed as Ozzy & Friends. These 'first ever' Ozzy & Friends shows will feature appearances by "special guest" musicians including Geezer Butler (who will join Ozzy for a special Black Sabbath set as a show of respect and support to their friend, Tony Iommi) and long-time former Ozzy band member Zakk Wylde. In addition, Ozzy will be accompanied by long-time collaborator and friend Slash at select shows, with other 'special guests' set to join the tour at various stops along the way.

Tony Iommi continues to make excellent progress and is looking forward to getting back out on the road. Meanwhile, Black Sabbath continue to write and record music in the U.K. for their upcoming album. More information about these dates and Black Sabbath's recording and touring plans is forthcoming."

In November, the original four man line-up announced it would record its first new album in 33 years and stage a 2012 world tour. Then in January the band's guitarist Tony Iommi was diagnosed with the early-stages of lymphoma cancer, and drummer Bill Ward announced he was leaving the tour that included Jelling Festival, Bergen Calling Festival, Azkena Rock Festival, Hellfest, Graspop Metal Meeting, Gods Of Metal Festival, and Rockwave Festival–Terra.

Ozzy will continue to play all scheduled dates on the previously announced tour, billed as Ozzy and Friends and featuring Geezer Butler as 'special guest' and the likes of Zakk Wylde and Slash joining Ozzy at various stages of the tour.

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.

Travel to Download Festival with National Express.

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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