In the new interview footage below, BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi talks with Eric Blair about being a cancer survivor , The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, progress on the new Black Sabbath album, Rick Rubin, Bill Ward, and his fondest memories of RONNIE JAMES DIO.

When asked about progress on new Black Sabbath material and reports that he has laid down guitar for 15 new songs, he responds, "I know that, but that's wrong. When Ozzy (Osbourne) said it, I think he meant what we'd done... we'd written the 15 songs and we played them all. But now, at the moment, we're recording them. We recorded them at first, at my house in England, just as demos, but now we're doing them for real. So, we're about six tracks in now, at the moment."

Watch the interview below:

Black Sabbath recently announced their widely rumored and highly anticipated reunion for their first Australian shows in nearly 40 years.

Dates:

April

25 - Brisbane Entertainment Centre - Brisbane, Australia
27 - Allphones Arena - Sydney, Australia

May

1 - Rod Laver Arena - Melbourne, Australia
4 - Perth Arena - Perth, Australia

My Live Nation members can access tickets first, during the exclusive member pre-sale starting at 9am tomorrow, Friday November 2. Sign up at Livenation.com.au. Tickets for these once-in-a-lifetime shows will go on sale at midday, Thursday November 8.

Ozzfest Japan 2013 was recently announced for the first time ever and it will take place on May 11th-12th, 2013 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City (outside Tokyo).

SLIPKNOT has just been confirmed for the first day, Saturday, May 11th and Black Sabbath for Sunday, May 12th.

Check out a new message about the fest from Ozzy below:

For more details visit Ozzfestjapan.com.