Sonic Excess' Brandon Marshall has issued a new interview with BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward. The following is an excerpt:

Q: After the tragic death of RONNIE JAMES DIO, the remaining members of HEAVEN & HELL will perform the Dio Tribute show and won't carry on after that. Tony Iommi said, in a British newspaper, that there would be discussions between he and Geezer Butler about Black Sabbath. Can you give us any insight?

A: The only thing I know, and I have talked with Tony.... well, the only person I haven't spoken with is Geezer, but that is because he prefers e-mail to the telephone, and OZZY (OSBOURNE) called me yesterday. I think the statements have been made into a little bit of a cake. I saw the statements only last night online, when I got home from the studio. Where Ozzy's at, with wanting to tour with Black Sabbath is that Ozzy has been in his place for a long time and says, 'I'm never going to say never'. I have the same attitude. My quotes would be, 'I never want to say never, I'm in the same place'. Tony has a completely open mind to the possibility of touring with Sabbath again. I think what's happening is that some people have hooked into that and written a story out of it. I think realistically, right now, I can't see where it would be a possibility, with Ozzy on tour for the next 18 months and having a new record out that's great. I've got a new record, and I know that Tony has other things he wants to do musically, and Geezer also. We might all agree to it, but when it would happen, I just don't know. Other than those few comments, I just don't know about a Sabbath tour anywhere near in the future. Tony has already stated that he doesn't want to talk about it until he finishes that concert for Ronnie in London. It would be great, but I don't know where any of it sits right now. It's like the press has gotten it and is kindling the fire before anything has been said. I talk to Ozzy all the time, and he hasn't mentioned shit to me about Sabbath."

Read the complete interview at this location.