Tony Iommi's lymphoma diagnosis may have stopped the reunited (and Bill Ward-less) Black Sabbath from touring for now, but it has not interfered with their creative output or their songwriting process. In a recent video chat with the NME.com, frontman Ozzy Osbourne revealed that the band has penned 15 new songs and even offered a tiny hint at the new album title.

"We've written about 15 songs so far," the frontman stated. "Whether they all get on the album, I don't know. We just keep on writing." He also cryptically referenced the title, saying, "Next year, 2013, is a good clue to what we're going to call the album." Hmm, put those thinking caps on, metal fans.

Bassist Geezer Butler also chimed in, revealing how uber producer Rick Rubin has factored into the process. "Rick Rubin sat us down, put the first album on and said, 'Listen to this. Imagine it's 1969. You just did that. What would you do next?,'" Butler shared.

That's quite a challenge and certainly the right way to get the creative juices flowing, isn't it? That's why he's Rick Rubin, and largely considered one of the best producers in the business.

Iommi confirmed that the band looked to its own past for the new album, saying, "It's taken on the flavor of the old stuff in the way we put things together, but with a different look on it."

We can't wait to hear the fruits of Sabbath's labor.

 

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