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Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi announce the Black Sabbath reunion in Los Angeles, November 2011. © Axel Koester/Corbis

UPDATE: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler have responded to drummer Bill Ward's announcement that he would not participate in a Black Sabbath album and tour unless he received a "signable contract." Our original story is below, with the response from Osbourne, Iommi and Butler directly following.

Another problem has beset the much-anticipated Black Sabbath reunion. Last month, guitarist Tony Iommi revealed that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma, forcing the group to shift their plans for recording a new album from Los Angeles to London, near where Iommi lives. Now Bill says he might sit the album and tour out, and it's not because of health reasons.

Ward has gone public with a statement on his website indicating that he will not participate in the reunion unless he is presented with a "signable contract." Below is the original text of Bill Ward's letter:

"Dear Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties,

At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a 'signable' contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band. Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another 'unsignable' contract was handed to me.

"Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with Black Sabbath.

"Since the news of Tony's illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I've spent everyday getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I've tried to find out what's going on with the U.K. sessions, I've realized that I've been getting 'the cold shoulder' (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what's happening unless I sign 'the unsignable contract.'

"The place I'm in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.

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