Black Sabbath members to form new band

The Black Sabbath boys are back as new band Heaven and Hel,l but without Ozzy Osbourne, it was announced in the US.

Guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, drummer Bill Ward and singer Ronnie James Dio, former members of supergroup Black Sabbath, are forming the band named after their 1980 hit, according to their publicist in Los Angeles.

They plan to launch an international tour next year.

“The fans have been wanting to see this for years and years. Now was just the time,” said publicist Maureen O’Connor.

Since its formation in 1969, Black Sabbath has undergone numerous member changes and reunions.

Dio, who replaced original Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne as part of the band’s early 1980s line-up, has been recording new songs with Iommi in the UK, O’Connor said.