Not Sabbath Farewell After All

Apparently, reports that the metal gods would make their last stand in Japan, as implied by Sharon Osbourne announcing the festival, were premature.

A representative for the band told Rolling Stone, “Although there have been discussions about a Sabbath Farewell Tour, nothing has been confirmed.”

Some subsequently circulated a rumor that the “cancellation” had something to do with guitarist Tony Iommi’s health. Iommi was being treated for lymphoma in 2012, though he said on his Facebook page that “right now I’m fine and have regular blood tests.” He remarked that he knew nothing about a farewell tour, however.

In the promotional video released in Japan that started the buzz, Sharon Osbourne said that the Ozzfest gig would be “Black Sabbath’s farewell,” though she didn’t specify if it was a farewell to Japan or to the world.

In any event, Sabbath will not play Ozzfest Japan, only Ozzy Osbourne in his usual role as a solo artist “with friends.”

The situation was made even murkier after Ozzy canceled something called “Ozzfiesta,” which was scheduled to take place in Mexico’s Riviera Maya in May, reportedly because he has to undergo surgery for an unidentified malady.