All four original Sabbath members–Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward–are back in the studio working on their first album of original music in 33 years. This comes quickly on the heels of a press conference on 11.11.11 announcing the news of their reunion and first small batch of tour dates, starting in Europe next summer, and including a headlining appearance at the Download Festival in Derby, England, on June 10. Other stops include Moscow (May 18), Helsinki, Finland (May 23), Bilboa, Spain (June 15), and Milan, Italy (June 24), just to name a few. Check out the full tour schedule here.

The new album is being produced by Rick Rubin and is scheduled for a worldwide release next fall. Iommi has said the songs sound like “the old Sabbath style and sound,” which, fingers crossed, translates to heavy.

This can only mean that news of a North American tour can’t be far off. So what happens between now and then? We wait, and watch cable TV to see if “The Osbournes” resurface for a new season; or MTV news, to see if egos and old bitterness put the brakes on the reunion. Time will tell. But I for one am excited about the prospect of hearing “Sweet Leaf” performed live on more time…

Rumors of a reunion tour between Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne were spawned from a January ABC News interview with Osbourne who said that the group was “in the talking process.”

On Butler’s official website, the bassist denies all rumors, stating “I would like to make it clear, because of mounting speculation and rumours, there will be definitely NO reunion of all four original members of Black Sabbath, whether to record an album or to tour.”

Currently, all surviving Black Sabbath members have been on the down-low. But all the fans are hoping that will change sometime in the future. Check back for more Black Sabbath tickets and news.

In 1968, Osbourne and Iommi (as well as Geezer Butler and Bill Ward) founded Black Sabbath, though Osbourne was fired in 1979 and replaced by Ronnie James Dio. After the band members had changed about a dozen times, the original four founding members came back together in 1997 and continued to perform until their last tour in 2005.

This is where it gets tricky: Iommi filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Signature Network in December 2008. In that lawsuit, Iommi said that the other three founding members–Osbourne, Butler and Ward–had given up their rights to the band name back in the 80s.

Osbourne then filed a lawsuit against Iommi in May 2009 and requested that he get a 50 percent interest in the “Black Sabbath” trademark and some additional, unspecified damages.

For historical reference, Iommi is the only founding member that has stayed with the band throughout the present day.

Osbourne was active with the band from 1969-1979; 1997-present. Butler was active from 1969-1985; 1990-1994; and 1997-present. And Ward was active from 1969-1980; 1982-1985; and 1997-present.

No details have been leaked about what sort of an arrangement has been made between Osbourne and Iommi, but the band did release this statement, according to pollstar.com:

“Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi of the legendary heavy metal band Black Sabbath have amicably resolved their problems over the ownership of the Black Sabbath name and court proceedings in New York have been discontinued. Both parties are glad to put this behind them and to cooperate together for the future and would like it to be known that the issue was never personal, it was always business.”

His wife Wendy, in a statement posted to his website, “Today my heart is broken… Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away.”

Ronnie began his music career in 1975, singing lead vocals for the band Rainbow.  In 1980 he replaced Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath.  “He possessed one of the greatest voices in all of heavy metal, and had a heart to match it,” said Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French, ” He was the nicest, classiest person you would ever want to meet.”

Ozzy Osbourne, Sabbath’s former lead singer and band co-founder, also appears on the soundtrack with “Believer,” “Diary of a Madman,” and “Mr. Crowley.” In addition, he lent his voice for one of the game’s characters.

Brütal Legend’s soundtrack is a first rate compilation of heavy metal, with all 108 tracks meticulously hand-picked by Tim Schafer, the game’s creator and developer. It is scheduled for release on October 13, 2009, for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Other metal bands appearing on the soundtrack include Skid Row, Marilyn Manson, Dragonforce , Megadeth, Judas Priest, Testament and dozens more.

But when they finally make it to North America, they won’t be alone! Coheed and Cambria will be touring with them throughout the month of August.

Be sure to check out www.GreatSeats.com to get FREE SHIPPING on all online orders over $150 between June 8 and 14. They’re celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary, and you get to reap the rewards!

The box set, “The Rules of Hell,” features versions of the Dio fronted Black Sabbaths albums. It contains a collection of four albums, “Heaven and Hell,” “Mob Rules,” “Live Evil” and “Dehumanizer,” and was released on July 22 through Rhino.

Black Sabbath has an interactive webpage where you can submit concert reviews, as well as send in your scanned in ticket stubs and tour memorabilia.

If you plan on going to one of the shows, make sure to send in your opinions to Black Sabbath. The fan created pages began in 1999, so be sure to do your part to keep them going!

Best Buy is now carrying a version of the forthcoming “Rules of Hell” box set. The majority of the box will be exactly the same as you can get everywhere else; however, there will be an extra CD packed on the outside that will contain five live tracks from 1981. The live tracks are:

* Neon Knights
* The Mob Rules
* Children of the Grave
* Voodoo
* Country Girl

The live tracks came from the “Live at Hammersmith” release from May of 2007. The first four of these tracks already were released on the UK Tour Edition of “The Dio Years” last year.

If you weren’t lucky enough to snag one at Best Buy, try Amazon.com. The only thing you’ll be missing is the bonus CD, but a portion of the proceeds will go to the band (and who can beat free shipping?)

Well then, this is your lucky day, because this August they’re hitting the road for the amazing Metal Masters Tour 2008.

Black Sabbath shares its history with more than 20 band members over the past 40 years since it was formed in 1968. In that time, the notorious Ozzy Ozbourne has been fired and re-hired, but let’s not forget some of the awesome albums that were created sans Ozbourne:

Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules (1979-1982)

Born Again and Seventh Star (1983-1986)

The Eternal Idol, Headless Cross, and Tyr (1986-1990)

Dehumanizer (1990-1993)

Cross Purpose and Forbidden (1993-1996)

And, thanks to black-sabbath.com, some clarification on the current band members:

Ronnie James Dio-Vocals

Tony Iommi-Guitar

Geezer Butler-Bass

Vinny Appice-Drums

Scott Warren-Keyboards

Metal Masters Tour 2008:

August 6, 2008

Camden, NJ

Susquehanna Bank Center

August 7, 2008

Bristol, VA

Nissan Pavillion

August 9, 2008

Holmdel, NJ

PNC Bank Arts Center

August 10, 2008

Wantagh, NY

Nikon at Jones Beach

August 13, 2008

Toronto, ON

Molson Amphitheatre

August 16, 2008

Pittsburgh, PA

Post-Gazette-Pavilion

August 18, 2008

Detroit, MI

DTE Energy Music Theatre

August 19, 2008

Chicago, IL

First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre

August 22, 2008

Dallas, TX

Superpages.com Amphitheatre

August 23, 2008

Houston, TX

Cynthia Woods Pavilion

August 24, 2008

San Antonio, TX

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

Augsut 27, 2008

Albuquerque, NM

Journal Pavilion

August 28, 2008

Phoenix, AZ

Cricket Wireless Pavilion

August 30, 2008

San Bernadino, CA

Glen Helen Pavilion

August 31, 2008

Mountain View, CA

Shoreline Amphitheatre