Black Sabbath pull out of ‘farewell show’

Black Sabbath have cancelled a show that was previously billed as their final, “farewell show”.

The band were due to play their last ever gig at the Tokyo leg of Ozzfest on 22nd November. Their slot has instead been replaced by a solo Ozzy Osbourne show.

They released a statement saying: “Despite previous reports, Black Sabbath will not appear on this year’s Ozzfest Japan, the show will instead feature the festival’s namesake, Ozzy Osbourne (and friends).”

Black Sabbath are still due to release a final album in 2015, following on from 2013 LP ’13’ - Rick Rubin is producing. “We’re disbanding the name and everything. They don’t want to tour anymore,” Ozzy Osbourne recently said, explaining the band’s farewell run. The Ozzfest Japan sendoff was previously announced by Sharon Osbourne, back in March.

Ozzy’s solo show will take place at the Makuhari Messe venue, which sits just outside Tokyo. Korn will be headlining the former evening of the event, on 21st November.