While Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward marked his exit from the metal act's reunion plans earlier this year after alleging the contract he was offered was unfair, fans were no doubt hoping both sides would come to an agreement before the group's scheduled appearance at this weekend's hometown gig in Birmingham. Well, unfortunately that's not the case, so the drummer has made it known he's officially out... for now.
In a lengthy post on his website, Ward confirms that he was not able to come to terms with his bandmates, though not for lack of trying. Apparently he was approached to play the Birmingham show for free, which he didn't have a problem with. Ward did, however, disagree to Sabbath management's terms to "see how the first show goes," instead of guaranteeing Ward's part in the reunion. He felt it should be an all or nothing proposition, and balked because of it.
He also says that he was offered the chance to participate at the unit's June 10 appearance at Leicestershire, UK's Download Festival, but only to play three songs while another drummer handled the rest of the performance. Again, Ward wasn't having it.
While he won't be playing those shows, or the August 3 headlining slot at this year's Lollapalooza, he is still adamant that he'll participate if given a "signable contract."
"I hold no malice or resentment towards the other band members. I love them; I'm tolerant of them; I'm frustrated with them, as they may be with me. My fight has never been with them. I'll love them forever," Ward wrote. "In my opinion, nobody wins this time; the band doesn't win; the fans for an original lineup don't win. Nobody wins, nobody. Even the ones who thought they did. I didn't want to make this decision, but I have to be honest and transparent."
You can read the full statement here.
In a lengthy post on his website, Ward confirms that he was not able to come to terms with his bandmates, though not for lack of trying. Apparently he was approached to play the Birmingham show for free, which he didn't have a problem with. Ward did, however, disagree to Sabbath management's terms to "see how the first show goes," instead of guaranteeing Ward's part in the reunion. He felt it should be an all or nothing proposition, and balked because of it.
He also says that he was offered the chance to participate at the unit's June 10 appearance at Leicestershire, UK's Download Festival, but only to play three songs while another drummer handled the rest of the performance. Again, Ward wasn't having it.
While he won't be playing those shows, or the August 3 headlining slot at this year's Lollapalooza, he is still adamant that he'll participate if given a "signable contract."
"I hold no malice or resentment towards the other band members. I love them; I'm tolerant of them; I'm frustrated with them, as they may be with me. My fight has never been with them. I'll love them forever," Ward wrote. "In my opinion, nobody wins this time; the band doesn't win; the fans for an original lineup don't win. Nobody wins, nobody. Even the ones who thought they did. I didn't want to make this decision, but I have to be honest and transparent."
You can read the full statement here.