BLACK SABBATH’s farewell studio album, 13, marked a monumental return for the legendary band, featuring Ozzy Osbourne on vocals for the first time in over 35 years. Released on June 10, 2013, the record was widely anticipated and celebrated commercially. But behind the scenes, not all was smooth — especially when it came to working with famed producer Rick Rubin.
In a recent interview with Classic Rock, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler revisited their experience making 13, and once again voiced their dissatisfaction with Rubin’s approach in the studio.
Iommi, the band’s sole constant member throughout their entire career, came prepared with a wealth of ideas, only to see them stripped away.
“I went to Los Angeles with three CDs full of ideas, but he made us strip everything down that I’d put together,” Iommi said. “He wanted it to sound like the first album. But you can’t recreate that. Some of the stuff sounded better when we were working at my house – it sounded more… alive. But it’s what it was. And it’s a shame Bill [Ward] didn’t play on it, but it was difficult.”
Butler shared a similarly conflicted view. While he acknowledged standout tracks like “God Is Dead?”, “Zeitgeist,” “Damaged Soul,” and “Dear Father,” the writing process left much to be desired.
“I was led to believe Ozzy would write all the lyrics, but Rick Rubin insisted I write them,” Butler revealed. “So I changed around some lyrics and ideas of Ozzy’s, then wrote everything in a mad rush. I like SABBATH’s lyrics to mean something, but trying to think of thirteen subjects to write about the night before committing them to recording gave me headaches.”
Despite the creative tension, 13 debuted at No. 1 in multiple countries and earned SABBATH their first-ever Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance with “God Is Dead?”. But for Iommi and Butler, the process behind the music remains a bittersweet chapter in the band’s storied history.
BLACK SABBATH‘s original line-up first began work on a new studio album in 2001 with Rubin. The album’s development was delayed over a 10-year period, as Osbourne resumed his solo career while the rest of the band members went on to pursue other projects, including GZR and HEAVEN & HELL. When SABBATH announced the end of its hiatus on 11 November 2011, the band revealed they would restart work on a new album with Rubin. In addition to original members Osbourne, Butler and guitarist Tony Iommi, the band was joined at the recording sessions by drummer Brad Wilk, of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and AUDIOSLAVE, following original drummer Bill Ward‘s decision to not participate in the reunion due to a contractual dispute.
Rick Rubin, who has long been praised for his minimalist production style, has also drawn similar criticism from other artists in the past — including SLIPKNOT, Corey Taylor, and even members of METALLICA — often citing his lack of presence or hands-on involvement in the studio.
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