Earlier this week, BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward posted a message at his official website stating: "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." (see Bill's full statement below).

Ward has just issued the following update: "I just wanted to humbly thank you all. Your support from across the world has given me further strength and hope for a positive resolve. I have been moved and overwhelmed by the thousands of messages. I love you all."

The other members of Black Sabbath (Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler) issued the following statement after Ward's first message:

"We were saddened to hear yesterday via Facebook that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current Black Sabbath plans... we have no choice but to continue recording without him although our door is always open... We are still in the UK with Tony. Writing and recording the new album and on a roll... See you at Download!!!"

Bill Ward's full statement is below:

"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 US 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 UK, 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 UK 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’shappening 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.

If I’m replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to Sabbath is intact.

So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I’m good to go IF I get a “signable” contract. I don’t want to let anyone down, especially Black Sabbath and all the Sabbath fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.

My position is not greed-driven. I’m not holding out for a “big piece” of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I’d like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I’ve brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning.

That’s the story so far.

Stay safe and stay strong.

I love every single one of you."

As previously reported, Black Sabbath have moved writing sessions for their long-awaited reunion album from Los Angeles to Birmingham, England due to guitarist Tony Iommi's treatment for lymphoma.

According to a band update, "Sabbath has gone back to where it all started and it’s been just amazing. This is where the writing of the album will be completed. Funny how it all goes full circle sometimes."

Black Sabbath - rounded off by singer Ozzy Osbourne, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward - will be recording their first studio album in 33 years with legendary producer Rick Rubin (METALLICA, SLAYER). The follow-up to 1979's Never Say Die will be released worldwide on Vertigo Records, and Vertigo/Universal Republic Records in the US in the fall.

Butler remarked about the writing sessions last week: "We got the engines back up and running at Tony Iommi’s home studio. Far from being down and depressed about his lymphoma diagnosis, Tony had already written the music for two new songs, and I must say it has given us all a kick up the rump - it’s great to hear him churning out those riffs again, assuaging the Demon C. Takes more than that to stop Tony. Can’t wait for you all to hear our workings, it has been great working on this stuff."

Black Sabbath’s confirmed European tour dates are below:

May

18 - Moscow, Russia - Olimpiski
20 - St. Petersburg, Russia - New Arena
23 - Helsinki, Finland - Hartwall Arena
25 - Stockholm, Sweden - Stadium
29 - Bergen, Norway - Bergen Calling Festival
31 - Oslo, Norway - Spektrum

June

2 - Malmo, Sweden - Malmo Stadium
4 - Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
10 - Donnington, UK - Download Festival
12 - Rotterdam, Holland - Ahoy
15 - Bilbao, Spain - Azkena Rock Festival
17 - Nantes, France - Hellfest
19 - Paris, France - Bercy
22 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
24 - Milan, Italy - Gods of Metal