Net metal station hardradio.com has published an interview with Bill & Geezer Butler – in it, Bill & Geezer speak of the state of Sabbath, and the state of their current solo projects. Here’s a bit about what Bill had to say.

“We’re nearly there. I just want to finish it” laughs Bill, “because I’ve been working on it for the last three years. And also, I don’t want to go into a major touring situation wondering about ‘cut five, did we do the Protools? Did we cut out A and B during the Protools session?’ I don’t want to have those kinds of numbers in my head. I’m going out there to rock and to drive Black Sabbath, and that’s my total intention and to do that I have to have focus and an absolutely clear head. So no, the whole reason why I’m kind of working a little harder in April is to make sure my decks are cleared so that when we go on that stage I know exactly where I am, best as I can be. So I wouldn’t do things that would either jeopardize my energy for my own album or jeopardize my energy for Black Sabbath.”

Ward has also scrapped for now plans to reissue Ward One: Along The Way, with or without the Ozzy tracks, with or without re-recording the entire album, an idea which was bandied about over the years as an additional disc completing a two disc set.

There’s more about Sabbath, plus there’s Geezer’s chat, too. Check out a copy of the interview over at Black Sabbath Online. Also, make sure and check out hardradio.com too!

We’re really sorry for the delay in getting this news out. The cause for the delay will be explained in the information below. 🙂

Bill was in the studio in early April, and worked in the studio during most of the month. However, the appearance of Black Sabbath at the recent weenie roast in Los Angeles took up some time, as the guys had to plan for that, and do a couple of rehearsals. Furthermore, studio time just ran long to begin with, mostly due to a lot of equipment problems and breakdowns. Also, there was some time spent getting album art together, drawn up, liner notes, as well as all the other fiddly details that most people don’t think about that go into an album production.

What’s left to do for the album? Well, there’s about two or 3 days left of mixing work to do, and then it’s off to mastering. After mastering, the album can be delivered for mass duplication by a record company. Who will be distributing it is still up in the air, but that should be settled shortly.

What’s the release date? Well, that’s not completely known yet because it’s not complete yet, but the current target release is mid August, although Bill hopes to be done faster than that.

There is one big piece of news on it. It’s had a name change. It was formerly called “Remembering”. It is now called “Beyond Aston”.

More info on this as we get it.

One other thing – the planned re-release of Bill’s first studio album “Ward One: Along the Way” has been scrapped for now. There’s a lot of issues relative to that album, and what will become of it is unknown at this time.

No, this is no April fool’s joke…

The Bill Ward Band returns to the studio today to begin work on completing Bill’s third solo album, Remembering. As you may remember, Bill was at work on this album in 1997 when his second solo album, When the Bough Breaks was released. Then in late 1997, Tony, Ozzy, & Geezer came calling, and a little side project named Black Sabbath took up Bill’s time, as did a heart attack in 1998.

Bill’s back and ready to complete the studio work that was laid down in 1997 for this album. The first studio date is today, and Bill hopes to have the album completed and mastered by mid May. More detailed information about how it’s progressing with a projected release date will be coming shortly.

Keep your eyes here – we hope to have some concrete info regarding this situation this coming week.

The long awaited reprint of Bill’s second record “When the Bough Breaks” is completed, and will be available shortly. It will be made available directly off this web site – details will be made available shortly. The details need to worked out insofar as payment, credit cards, and the lot, but we should hopefully be offering direct sales of Bill Ward CD’s, merchandise, T-Shirts and the like (hopefully) by Spring.

Bill gave it a listen in January and then set up some studio time to finish it up, and get it out this year. A date is not yet available, as Bill hasn’t looked at the record since the Black Sabbath reunion tour. A decision needs to be made as to how much work is left to do on the record – but you should expect a new Bill Ward solo record in 2000!

Well, not the actual kit itself :), but a layout.

Click here to see a fax which has the layout for the drum kit that Bill used during the Black Sabbath reunion shows of the last couple of years.

From Joe Siegler – I spoke with Bill’s Production Manager a few days ago to get an update on Bill and to see where various things stand. Here’s what I’ve found out about Bill’s upcoming activities:

Now: Bill’s back home now – spent some time with his girlfriend, and has come back to Seal Beach. The bulk of this time (before the December shows) will be used for his own solo stuff. Next week, he’s getting together with his band to evaluate the situation.

When the Bough Breaks: The final revised cover art for “When the Bough Breaks” has been finalized, and they will be going to press very very shortly with the reprint. Musically, it’s exactly the same as the existing print, but you won’t be blinded trying to read the liner notes or lyrics. 🙂

Ward One: Along the Way reissue: Around the same time, a reissue of “Ward One: Along the Way” will also be released. It’s got all new cover art too, which means it will be the third version of the Ward One cover art. However, the previously announced plan to release a double album (one disc was to be a re-release of the album w/o the Oz tracks, and the second disc was to be a complete re-recording of the album with his current band) is not going to happen. What is going to be released is the original album, without the two Oz tracks, and that’s it. The re-recording has been shelved. When I asked why, I got simply “Bill didn’t want to do it”. If I find out more on this, I’ll pass it along.

Remembering: After the band gets together, and sees where they stand, the intent is to clean up Bill’s third album, “Remembering”. It’s mostly completed, only needs touchups here and there, and then it’s off to the mix. Should be released early in 2000. There’s a chance it could come out before the end of the year, but that’s unlikely.

The Future: Bill does plan a fourth solo album, but no details at all are available on this – only the fact that he will do one.

There’s a few more things going on, but I’m not at liberty to talk about them yet – more on them once I can talk about ’em. Bill Ward solo will return! 🙂

We’ve gotten many requests for information regarding what’s going on with Bill lately. Well, as many of you know, there was this little thing called the Black Sabbath reunion that more or less has put a stop for the time being to the various band members’ solo projects.

Bill is still very committed to his solo works, and once the European dates for Black Sabbath are fulfilled in December of 1999, the guys will go back to work on their various solo projects.

Next up for Bill is a regroup to see where everything stands, and then it’s probably back to completing his third studio album, “Remembering”. There’s no time table yet, a decision won’t happen most likely until early in 2000.

There is also the issue of the re-recorded “Along the Way”. That also will be decided early next year – so hopefully 2000 will bring Bill’s solo works back in full force.

Also, the autograph requests are still backlogged, and Bill hopes to get some of them dealt with shortly.

We should have some more updates for you in September.

If you read Modern Drummer magazine (or even if you don’t), you might want to pick up a copy of their March 1999 issue. Bill will be appearing in this magazine, and talks about a vareity of things. We are not sure if Bill will be on the cover or not, however.

UPDATE: Bill did not have a cover picture, but he is listed on the cover. Check out this magazine – it’s on stands now.

Once the Black Sabbath Reunion Tour is over, Bill will be “coming home”. At this point, he hopes to do cleanup work on his mostly recorded third solo album, Remembering. We’re hopeful it will be released in 1999. Also, the reprint of When the Bough Breaks should be in record stores now. The version that’s been floating around since 1997 is a mis-print (it has two roses on the cover). If you happen to spot this updated version, please let us know. Thanks.