On August 18th, original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward posted a message on his official Facebook page regarding claims by his former bandmates that he was physically unable to perform on the band's recent farewell tour. He is responding to comments made by frontman Ozzy Osbourne and guitarist Tony Iommi that were made as the band prepares to release The Ten Year War vinyl box set.

Ward: "Hi Everyone. I hope this day finds you all in good spirits and good health.

Again I feel in a position where I'm compelled to defend my actions in the period of 2011 up to, I suppose, today. Tony Iommi's comments and some of Ozzy's, remain in a place of disparaging remarks, which bring fault to my character as a person and a musician.

I completely disagree with their comments. What they believe is quite opposite from my experience, especially in 2011 when no one spoke to me of being alarmed by my playing or my health. If they kept the info, which they so readily share now, to themselves in 2011, then let that be their shortcoming.

How can I be judged that I could not do a tour when we were working on an album? How can I be judged in 2011 on health issues when none existed that would endanger a long-term tour? They all know very clearly how well I prepare to tour. I did not know I was being judged in 2011, if that is indeed their truth.

Tony's comment (and I'm assuming it was in reference to me touring) was, 'I don't think he quite realizes how hard it would have been on him.'

How can Tony say that? I know what it takes to tour. I've helped to set the physical and playing bar that was metal then and today. What an undermining, self-centered thing for Tony to say. What an inaccurate thing for Tony to say.

I had played all the Ozzfests and Sabbath tours after the reunion. Keep in mind, they did one tour without me first, I think just to see if it could work without me. I'm sorry and mean no malice in saying this, but it was their fear, their mistrust, and their rationale that put back-up drummers on the stage at the reunion and other tours. I disliked that they did that, but understood they wanted to. I got on with my work, playing drums in Sabbath. Never once was a back-up drummer required, and no, I did not validate the fears of those who had fears.

I missed a European tour after my one and only heart attack in 1998. I can appreciate that Black Sabbath's interests needed to be protected for the sake of future commitments to the fans, promoters, and all involved. Ozzy said 'the saddest thing is that he [Bill] needed to own up to that.' Own up to what in 2011? What was I supposed to own up to, when I felt exhilarated, confident, and strong? Own up to, I'm not up to this, I'm sick and can't play; those failings didn't exist in me, they still don't exist today. I had nothing to own up to, nothing to confess. The fact that Oz had reacted with sadness tells me he was already sold on his own judgement of me. And that is very sad to know.

Tony commented, 'and it's silly, really, because it was over nothing.' I have to confront that statement. I can't let that wash into my life and my family's life, and the lives of all those affected by an original band failure.

It was something. It meant everything to thousands of people, including me. It will always be something and it will always ring with truth, and actual correct accountability. By saying it was nothing dishonours the credibility of our fans, and insults the very heart of what we all clung to, Black Sabbath.

I will have my experience in the time period of 2011 and Tony and Ozzy will have theirs. And, it's plain to me we're as opposite and opposing as ever.

I won't forget Ozzy's last phone call of January 23rd or so, 2012 asking when I would arrive in England to commence rehearsals. Why would he say that if my performance level of 2011 had already been judged?

I regret the loss of Ozzy's friendship.

I regret the loss of Tony's friendship.

Finally, and I've defended this many times, I couldn't play one gig or a couple of gigs here or there with a back-up drummer or no back-up drummer. To do that one gig would put me in an elitist position, and I can't do that for all the other fans who couldn't see that one gig.

I'm honoured to have been a part of Black Sabbath, and to have played with Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler.

Long live Black Sabbath."

Black Sabbath recently announced the September 29th release of The Ten Year War, a limited edition vinyl box set bringing together the band’s eight Ozzy Osbourne-fronted albums, plus a swathe of other rarities, all housed within exclusive artwork created by renowned street artist Shepard Fairey.

Unique to this release is the metal crucifix shaped Black Sabbath USB stick, which can be worn round the neck and contains MQA high definition audio of the eight albums. The extremely rare The Ten Year War brochure, reproduced from the original publication gives its name to this super deluxe box set.

Pre-order now at tenyearwar.com, or pledgemusic.com/blacksabbath.

The Limited Edition Box Set Includes: 8 x vinyl LPs meticulously reproduced in their original sleeves, re-mastered by renowned mastering engineer Andy Pearce from the original tapes and pressed on 180 gram splatter-coloured vinyl, each LP with unique and individual colouring.

• Black Sabbath
• Paranoid
• Master Of Reality (Including original fold-out colour poster)
• Vol. 4
• Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
• Sabotage
• Technical Ecstasy
• Never Say Die!

Plus:

• 2 x rare 7” singles, reproduced in their original sleeves: Japanese version of “Evil Woman (Don’t Play Your Games With Me)”/“Black Sabbath”. Chilean version of

Paranoid”/“The Wizard” (only 100 copies of the original radio promo were pressed)

• Crucifix shaped Black Sabbath USB stick, exclusive to this box set, which can be worn round the neck and contains MQA high definition audio of the first eight Black Sabbath albums

• The extremely rare The Ten Year War brochure, reproduced from the original publication

• Hardback book, featuring accolades from the cream of rock royalty, coupled with official and candid iconic photography of the band during their 1970s tours, recording sessions and photo-shoots

• Tenth Anniversary World Tour 1978 Official Programme, impeccably reproduced

• Reprinted tour poster from the 1972 Seattle Centre Arena show

• Box set cover art has been created by globally renowned street artist Shepard Fairey

• Exclusive Shepard Fairey art print included with this limited edition version

Black Sabbath are one of the world’s most popular and enduring heavy metal bands and are constantly credited with inventing and defining the genre. To this day, the world of metal - fans and artists alike - cites Sabbath as being both influential and inspirational.

From the blues-laden metal which defined the band’s sound on their self-titled debut, to the multi-million selling follow-up, Paranoid, Sabbath captured the attention of a generation hungry for a new musical direction. However, the all-conquering enthusiasm shown by Sabbath’s rabid fan base wasn’t always mirrored by the gatekeepers within the music press, and it is this disparity which inspired the band to publish The Ten Year War brochure. This document was a playful dig at the journalists of the time with the witty tagline: “More good press than most – more bad press than any”.

With a career spanning 50 years, Black Sabbath have proven time and time again that their musical heritage is unrivaled. Having sold tens of millions of records, sold out global arena tours and bewitched millions of dedicated fans, the band have built a catalogue envied by all.

The Ten Year War box set brings together the first eight Sabbath studio albums in one place, plus a swathe of other rarities, and celebrates the band’s achievements on the stage, in the studio and in the public eye.