Confirmed: Bill Ward out of Black Sabbath reunion

Sabbath

Sabbath

© Tony Frank/Sygma/Corbis

Bill Ward has confirmed that he won't be behind the kit for any of Black Sabbath's reunion shows.

The drummer had earlier claimed he was waiting for a "signable contract" before he would commit to the gigs, which include a show at Birmingham's O2 Academy this Saturday.

A new statement from Ward confirms that such a deal has not come to pass.

"I am passionate in my desire to play with the band and I'm very, very sorry. I was particularly excited to play alongside Tony after the recent treatments he underwent. I wanted that to become a reality.

"I couldn't help feeling some resentment towards the failure to reach an agreement, the failure to remember where we came from - the failure to be brothers, as we once were."

To see the full statement head here.

Rich Chamberlain

Rich is a teacher, one time Rhythm staff writer and experienced freelance journalist who has interviewed countless revered musicians, engineers, producers and stars for the our world-leading music making portfolio, including such titles as Rhythm, Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, and MusicRadar. His victims include such luminaries as Ice T, Mark Guilani and Jamie Oliver (the drumming one).