Bill Ward has released a song to the Internet today entitled “The Dark Half Hour”. Here’s a message from Bill about the release…

Hello everyone,

It’s been an extremely busy beginning of the New Year, and I would like to wish you all a happy, healthy, and rockin’ 2004. We’ve been hard at work in the studio completing mixes for “Beyond Aston,” and I wanted to share one of the new songs with you now. The song is titled “The Dark Half Hour,” and it’s about sexuality and sexual shame in part. This version is a close master mix, and therefore, will be different than the final master that will end up on the album. This version will only be available here as a free download. I hope you like the song.

I would also like to thank everyone who purchased a copy of “Straws” over the past few months to help raise money for several deserving charities. For those of you who have e-mailed to ask if you may still purchase a copy “Straws” — yes, the CDs are still available via the web site. I greatly appreciate all your generosity and your support of this project.

Hope you enjoy “The Dark Half Hour” and look for more information on “Beyond Aston.”

— Bill Ward

We know that you’ve been waiting for some information regarding the release of Bill’s third solo album entitled “Beyond Aston”. While we don’t have a release date for you for the CD at this time, we can bring you this news.

Bill Ward has decided to release a close master mix of one of the songs from the Beyond Aston album free online. The name of the song Bill will be releasing is “The Dark Half Hour”. More details as to exactly when you will be able to download this file along with further details regarding it’s release, Beyond Aston and other information will be available shortly here on this website. If you’d like to discuss this topic online, you can do so here on the Bill Ward Online forums.

In related news, the MP3 download of Straws which has been available here on billward.com will be withdrawn when The Dark Half Hour is made available, so if you still haven’t downloaded Straws, you should do so now.

Also, remember, Straws is a charity song – we urge you to make a donation to one of Bill’s charities and help out some needy folks. In exchange for your donation, Bill will send you one of his hand autographed Straws CD’s – more details on purchasing Straws is available by clicking on the cover art below.

For Immediate Release:

BILL WARD OF BLACK SABBATH TO ISSUE LIMITED EDITION “STRAWS” CD-SINGLE ON VETERANS DAY, NOVEMBER 11 AT WWW.BILLWARD.COM

ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT CHARITY

Bill Ward, drummer and founding member of Black Sabbath, has announced that 1,000 Limited Edition CD-singles of “Straws” the song he wrote and recorded to express his concerns regarding the war with Iraq and the escalation of terrorism, will be available exclusively on his web site, www.billward.com, beginning on Veterans Day, November 11, 2003.

Each “Straws” CD-single is numbered and autographed by Ward, and all proceeds
will be donated to the charity of each purchaser’s choice from the following
five organizations: the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the Alice Faith Mittelman Foundation, the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, the National Veterans Foundation, and the Inner City Music Program (Bands not Gangs) Los Angeles.

A total of 2,200 copies of the Limited Edition “Straws” CD-singles were produced in all, with Ward servicing 1,200 copies to governmental heads of state throughout the world, humanitarian organizations, peace support groups, media outlets and fellow musicians. Among those who have received the special package are President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and members of the United States Congress. ###

As regular site visitors have noticed, not much has gone on lately. Beyond Aston is still not out, as Bill continues to tweak and work on it. At this point, I do not have a firm release date for it, but once I find out something, believe me, this will be the first place it’s posted.

The Merchandise page is now back in operation. On it, you can purchase Bill’s most recent CD, “When the Bough Breaks” (with the correct cover art) as well as a couple of posters. Bill hopes to have more merchandise up eventually, but for now, you can order these things now. You can also pay online with a credit card through Paypal – an option that wasn’t available before.

There’s a great news article about Bill Ward done by the St. Petersburg Times website entitled “Bill Ward: Ozzy he’s not”. It talks about Bill’s internet release of Straws, his views on war, and other cool things you don’t normally hear from your average rock star. Check it out by clicking on the link below:

http://www.sptimes.com/2003/01/16/Artsandentertainment/Ozzy_he_s_not.shtml

I just got word that Bill Ward has agreed to a date for a new edition of his semi-regular radio show on radio station WPMD from Cerritos College in Cerritos, CA. The date he’ll be doing it is February 15th. Once I get more info, like the time of the show, I’ll report back

UPDATE: I got an update from the producer of the show. He sent me this: Black Sabbath’s Bill Ward returns to “Rock 50” on Saturday, February 15th at 11:00am Pacific Time. As always, Bill will be playing his favorite tunes and giving insight into his life over the last 30 years with the band that helped create and shape heavy metal music.

http://www.cerritos.edu/wpmd/

Just got back from South TX, very tired, celebrated Christmas with my two youngest children. Real nice Christmas, I made it into the relax and fun zone and gave frequently to the ringing bells outside each mall entrance. I was actually able to detach enough from world crime and anticipatory doomsday feelings to see the incredible beauty in my wife’s strength, and my children’s hopes and resourcefulness, I sure got my Christmas present.

Today has been pretty much a day of, opening mail, answering e-mail, unwinding from the holiday travel. My eldest son, Aeron, sent me over some CDs I’d requested from the U.K. Spent this morning getting melancholy and listening to some great stuff. I got the Undertakers CD, Unearthed, which features Jackie Lomax, great Liverpool band circa 1963. Also just for the record, Black Sabbath were by no means the first band to be photographed in graveyards, which we seemed to do a lot in the late 60s. I have a photo of the Undertakers at Liverpool Cathedral Graveyard, and I see at least one tombstone, so there’s one for the debaters and history buffs.

OK. What a year. Ozzy and Sharon did everything and in hindsight gave us something to laugh about during a pretty morbid and treacherous year. Good people shouted out loud, and killers killed. The bad guys repositioned themselves. I feel like the round two bell will be ringing as soon as we let the new year in. I’ve got lots of things I want to do, mostly finishing some unfinished projects the first part of the year. Got some travel plans, too.

God Bless America.
I really hope America will not have to be dragged into conflict with other nations and suffer any more loss than what it already has. I hope world peace will remain uppermost in our hearts. I hope that leaders across the world will commit to themselves to better understand the word and action of humility to all things great and small.

Happy New Year
Long live Black Sabbath
Long live Rock and Roll
and God bless you.

Bill Ward

On Thursday, November 14 Bill Ward did an interview with Vinny Marino (New York) for ABC Radio Networks. The focus of the interview was about Straws. During the interview Ward said that Straws was not an anti-war song, and added “sometimes war is inevitable.” He further went on to say, “Straws is a reaction song to the almost obsessive desire to bring war to Iraq.” He explained, “the song was borne primarily out of the fears a father might have” (Bill has two American sons who are both eligible for the draft if that comes about). Ward also spoke about the seemingly unpreparedness, at a local level, to have in place emergency directions if terrorist incidents were to happen at that level. Ward spoke out for the men and women in San Pedro and Long Beach who have been affected by, what Ward considers to be, lack of good judgment on the part of the United States government in which there seems to be only a modicum of support towards the workers who keep the ships moving in and out of LA Harbor. Ward expressed that these ships that are still on the water could potentially be accidents waiting to happen, and went on, “surely the terrorists can see this situation at Long Beach, also.” Ward questioned why so much expense could be placed into bolstering the war economy while denying the ship workers a decent wage. Finally, Ward broached the issue of using children to notify their parents of any strangers that are new on the block, adding, “I can appreciate that idea would immediately be shot down in flames. But, keep in mind the Irish Republican Army used children to notify them if there were strangers on the streets in Belfast” (British agents, etc.). Ward said he hoped that we can learn much from the British and European community on how to defend ourselves more efficiently, and especially at a local level.

From Joe Siegler: “Over the weekend, I received a letter from Bill with a big status update on various things with Bill (his health, touring, Straws, etc..) Anyway, below is the text of the letter from Bill in it’s entirety. All of this is from Bill himself:

Dear Joe,

I wanted to give you some more info on Straws & Beyond Aston.

Regarding “Straws” as you know my company Aston Cross Music, Inc., is making 2,000 copies of Straws, 1,000 copies are already ear marked for family, friends, musicians, journalists, politicians, etc.

The remaining one thousand copies of Straws I’m thinking about putting on E-Bay to raise money for people in need here in America. However I haven’t chosen the U.S. charities yet. Also, in my private mail, I’ve been receiving requests to visit Sao Paulo and to play some small concerts to raise funds for a hospital down there.

At the moment, I’m a bit stuck, because three weeks ago I had shoulder surgery. In the summer, we (Bill Ward’s band) did start some preliminary work to tour this fall, specifically Bosnia and surrounding areas, and we also considered going down to Sao Paulo. The injury will hold me up until at least Jan. (By the way, the operation was a complete success.) And to add, won’t hold me back from touring with Sabbath, if that opportunity arises.

So, anyway, getting back to E-Bay, I had the mind to try to raise money to help out some people. There’s a shelter in my hometown of Aston in Birmingham, England that I’d like to support also, as well as what’s already been mentioned.

So, that’s where I am right now. And, regarding, Bosnia and Sao Paulo, I will continue to look into playing gigs in both areas at a more suitable time.

OK. Straws as a single, i.e. to record shops, etc., well that is not planned, so no to Straws as a single. Again, its a free download from billward.com. Straws will appear on Beyond Aston.

And, regarding Beyond Aston, here’s the progress report.

Artwork/credits underway and progressing.

Songs – all in full production, some at finite mixing stage, everyone is working hard, to get “beyond” Beyond Aston.

Following is a list of all songs appearing on Beyond Aston, with a brief critique. Please note these songs and titles have been copywritten and rights are protected. It would be an illegal act to copy or use these titles in any way whatsoever.

Beyond Aston© – Bill Ward
(Titles not in order of appearance)

1. Crow
A song about Irish struggles over the years, (soft rock) including choir and accordian

2. The Dark Half Hour
(Hard Rock) A song about the memory, child abuse and deep passion. Saxophone/Fender Strat Licks.

3. Straws
(Medium Rock) A song which appears as part of a trilogy of war songs on Beyond Aston – gimmicky effects and hardcore lyrics.

4. God and the Law
(Medium Rock) Religion and war, part of the trilogy of war songs, Bill played drums.

5. Hi Fi Life
(Medium Rock) Featuring the Perry Sisters, uplifting grooves, about music for what ails you.

6. Ashes
(Hard Rock) Takes a poke at current systems in place that are accepted as “normal,” excellent drums Ronnie Ciago.

7. Angel in the Rain
(Medium/Hard Rock) The gathering of human oddities and people from all walks of life and asking “Who left that angel in the rain”©. Bill played drums.

8. Beyond Aston
(Medium Rock) A song written originally about 10 years ago (after a long and sad conversation with Oz). Upon completion of lyrics it was realized the song not only reverberated the conversation but also reflected possible everyman/woman’s experiences. Small choir accompanies Bill’s vocals.

9. Monmouth Nights
(Medium Rock/Jazz) A song about Sabbath getting back together to rehearse for shows at one of their old haunts, Monmouth, a Roman town in Wales, the birthplace of Henry V in 1387, Paul Ill Bass/synth excellent.

10. First Day Back
(Medium Rock) Song’s about returning from whatever hell you’ve been in, and it’s your first day back. Gibson guitar licks/Keith Lynch.

11. Everybody Loves Me
(Slow Hard Rock) About the ego, and the loneliness that comes with ego, drugs and sexuality. Exceptional drumming by Ronnie Ciago, featuring Perry sisters.

12. Powder on the Moon
(Medium Rock) Cross fades from end of Everybody Loves Me, about obsession to be liked at all costs, even when dead.

13. Soldiers
(Medium Rock) Part of trilogy of war songs on this album. Respectful song in part about soldiers at the front line.

14. Abandoned Gift
(Soft Rock) I think it’s a song about me, I think it came out of the feeling of loss or grief.

15. Somebody’s Heart
(Soft Rock) Song’s about Bill’s reaction to the first Sabbath reunion at Ozzfest, played without Bill, sad and very loving song. Great slide guitar by Keith Lynch.

16. Elephant Man
(Medium/Hard Rock) Excellent drumming by Ronnie Ciago, song of assassinations and suffering.

17. Woodshop
(Medium/Hard Rock) About trying to find God inside chaos. Bill plays drums. Straight ahead rock bass and guitar.

Thanks a lot, Joe. If you could please post this, I’d appreciate it.

Bill

On Saturday, November 2nd, Black Sabbath Drummer, Bill Ward will, once again, be the “in studio” co-host with Mike Stark for “Rock 50“, heard exclusively on WPMD Radio, Cerritos College from 11am to 1pm Pacific Time.

Following the release of his latest single “Straws” and a new Black Sabbath compilation – – “Symptom of the Universe,” Bill will be sharing his thoughts on a variety of subjects, spinning his favorite music and taking YOUR phone calls. Bill will also co-host “Rock 50” on November 30th. Don’t miss these very special programs from this heavy metal original.

During the shows, “first edition” copies of Mike Stark’s For the Record – Black Sabbath: An Oral History (now in it’s second printing), will be given away to selected callers to the program.

On the Steve Propes 45 Show (9am to 11am, Pacific Time), Steve welcomes Billy Cardenas, who was responsible to discovering the artists and producing the “Land Of 1000 Dances” East L.A. Sound of the mid to late 1960s along with some of the records

WPMD on the Internet and WPMD-AM 1700 originates from the campus of Cerritos College, Norwalk, California, home of the best college radio curriculum in Southern California. WPMD features an eclectic programming mix of news, talk, sports and music, presented by students, Cerritos College community members and radio professionals.

You can discuss Bill’s radio appearance on his forums here.