Legendary Black Sabbath Members Unite in Final Interview: Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward Share Insights on Our Exclusive Platform
Hey there!
First off, let me spill the beans about the sensational issue at hand - featuring an awe-inspiring cover illustration courtesy of illustrious artist Graham Humphreys. This very issue is dedicated to the legendary Black Sabbath's historical event, Back to the Beginning, set to go down on July 5 in their hometown of Birmingham, England. If you've been living under a rock or something, cat's outta the bag – Back to the Beginning is poised to be one of the biggest single-day shows in hard rock and heavy metal history, rivaling even the magnitude of Live Aid (which, incidentally, included a Black Sabbath reunion).
But in the spirit of history, I reckon you'll dig these Sabbath-centric tidbits we've got for you:
- 1990: Ozzy Osbourne gracefully appeared on the cover of our humble abode – a first for the Prince of Darkness. His loyal six-string partner, Zakk Wylde, had already landed his first cover the previous year.
- 1992: Tony Iommi, the soulful maestro, dashed onto the scene, sharing cover space with Metallica's James Hetfield.
- 1997: In a fancy-pants foldout cover, Ozzy and Iommi, along with Marilyn Manson, Korn and Dimebag Darrell, took center stage.
- 1998: Ozzy claimed another solo cover, a slight anomaly for the band's perceived status in the '90s, the era of Tyr, Dehumanizer, Cross Purposes and Forbidden.
- 2001: The OG version of Black Sabbath – Ozzy, Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward – finally snagged the cover.
- 2004: Amid the Ozzfest excitement, we had only Ozzy and Iommi together against a nifty red background.
- 2007: Iommi, the living legend, dueled with Angus Young and Jimmy Page.
- 2008: A bit of a peculiar moment, you say? Iommi finally received a solo cover, albeit a tad awkwardly.
Now that we've given you a taste of Sabbath history, let's dive headfirst into The Final Interview: the men behind Black Sabbath walk us through 57 years of their band's evolution, from the very beginning to Back to the Beginning, their history-making farewell bash in Birmingham. We'll also hear from the supporting cast of performance artists, all buzzing about their Black Sabbath, Iommi, and the random texts from musical director Tom Morello.
Plus, there's a complete discography rundown, detailing the evolution of Black Sabbath, lineup by crazy-ass lineup. If you're still craving more Sabbath, don't worry: Creed Bratton, Martin Barre, Goose, the history and allure of the 1989-1994 DigiTech WH-1 Whammy, and new interviews with a slew of artists like Muireann Bradley, Steve Stevens, D.K. Harrell, Junior Marvin, Billy Duffy, Robben Ford, Ben Lechuga, Tetrarch's Diamond Rowe, and Josh Fore are all part of the package.
On the gear front, we explore the history and charm of the 1989-1994 DigiTech WH-1 Whammy, and we review a slew of cool stuff:
- PRS Archon Classic head
- Fender Player II Modified Telecaster SH
- John Page Signature The DL
- Xotic AC Booster V2
- Warm Audio Fen-Tone WA-FT ribbon microphone
Lastly, don't forget to catch new columns by Joe Bonamassa, Jared James Nichols, Sue Foley, and Cory Wong, plus transcriptions of Children of the Grave by Black Sabbath, Suffocate by Knocked Loose (ft. Poppy), and The Fish by Yes.
Take a gander at Magazines Direct to grab your copy of our August 2025 issue!
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[1] - Based on the provided search results, Tony Iommi and Zakk Wylde's cover appearances dates are inferred.
Guitars are the center of attention in this issue, with the PRS Archon Classic head and Fender Player II Modified Telecaster SH making an appearance in the gear review section. Tony Iommi, a living legend, has graced the cover of this magazine not once, but twice - in 1992 and in an unusual solo cover in 2008. Meanwhile, Zakk Wylde, Ozzy Osbourne's loyal six-string partner, made his debut on the cover in 1989. If you're a music and entertainment enthusiast, don't miss out on our August 2025 issue for a comprehensive exploration of guitars, interviews, and more. Sign up for The Pick Newsletter to stay updated on all things guitar!
