Heavy metal godfathers BLACK SABBATH recenty announced a string of European Tour dates in support of their anxiously-anticipated new album, 13. The dates finish with a triumphant stop at the the band's birthplace in Birmingham at LG Arena on December 20th. Tickets will go on general sale this Friday, April 12th. Black Sabbath's itinerary can be viewed below.

A video trailer for the UK leg of the tour can be seen below:

According to TV3, Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne says 13 is "mind-blowing."

Speaking to Australia's Triple M radio station, Ozzy said: ''The album is mind-blowing, that's]how good it is. I'm so over the moon about the way the album turned out. We wrote 16 songs ... and I put it on my CD player expecting me to be unhappy with the end result, but this big grin came on my face and my hair on the back of my neck stood up. It's better than my wildest dreams; it's so good.''

13 will include three seven-plus-minute tracks - 'End Of The Beginning', 'God Is Dead' and 'Epic' - and Ozzy is thrilled the band have managed to recapture their ''heavy'' roots.

Read more at TV3.

The official artwork for 13, can be viewed below and in the YouTube clip introduction you can hear a snippet of a new song:

13 was recorded primarily in Los Angeles and features the original Black Sabbath - Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi(guitar) and Geezer Butler (bass) - who were joined at the sessions by drummer Brad Wilk (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE). Produced by Rick Rubin (SLAYER, METALLICA), the album will be released on Vertigo (worldwide) and Vertigo/Republic in North America on June 13th.

13 is available for pre-order on a variety of formats via Blacksabbath.com.

Options include:

- Standard CD album
- Deluxe double CD album in a deluxe soft-pack (includes a second disc of exclusive bonus audio material)
- Vinyl: a 12” heavyweight (180g) vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve
- Super Deluxe Box Set: a Limited edition 12” clamshell box set which contains: Deluxe double CD album, 12” heavyweight (180g) vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve, Exclusive DVD containing Black Sabbath--The Re-union documentary, plus 5 behind-the-scenes videos, Download card containing exclusive track by track interview with Black Sabbath, 13 exclusive photographic prints and hand written album lyrics.

In addition, anyone who pre-orders any of these formats via Blacksabbath.com will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of VIP tickets to an official 13 album launch event in London, including a meet and greet with the band, flights and accommodation Additional details and full terms and conditions on the contest can be found at Blacksabbath.com.

In the video below, Rick Rubin talks about creating the group's first studio album since 1978’s Never Say Die!

A three-minute teaser can also be viewed below:

Current Black Sabbath dates are below:

April

20 - Vector Arena - Auckland, New Zealand
22 - Vector Arena - Auckland, New Zealand
25 - Brisbane Entertainment Centre - Brisbane, Australia
27 - Allphones Arena - Sydney, Australia
29 - Rod Laver Arena - Melbourne, Australia

May

1 - Rod Laver Arena - Melbourne, Australia
4 - Perth Arena - Perth, Australia
7 - Entertainment Centre - Adelaide, Australia
12 - Ozzfest at Makuhari Messe - Chiba-shi, Chiba, Japan

August

14 - Air Canada Center - Toronto, ON

November

20 - Hartwall Arena - Helsinki, Finland
22 - Friends Arena - Stockholm, Sweden
24 - Telenor Arena - Oslo, Norway
26 - Forum - Denmark, Copenhagen
28 - Ziggo Dome - Holland, Amsterdam
30 - Westfalenhalle - Dortmund, Germany

December

2 - Bercy - Paris, France
5 - Fiera Arena - Milan, Italy
7 - 02 Arena - Prague, Czech Republic
10 - 02 Arena - London, UK
12 - Odyssey Arena - Belfast, Ireland
14 - Arena - Sheffield, UK
16 - Hydro - Glasgow, UK
18 - Arena - Manchester, UK
20 - LG Arena - Birmingham, UK