Iommi cancer pushed Sabbath farewell

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has confirmed that his band's decision to head out on a farewell tour is down to his own health concerns from his cancer. "I can't actually do this anymore", he told the Birmingham Mail. "My body won't take it much more. All the travelling involved in Sabbath tours increasingly takes its toll. That's why we're going out on one last tour, to say our farewells. And then it very definitely is the end, we won't be doing it again". In January Iommi admitted he was unsure how much longer he will live, saying it could be anywhere from one year to 10 years - he was diagnosed with cancer (Lymphoma) in January 2012.

Cancellation news: Iommi in the pink, Kayne in shallow water

Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi has denied that his health problems are to blame for the cancellation of the band's farewell gig at Ozzfest Japan in November. In 2012 Iommi was diagnosed with cancer, but last year told fans he was was nearing the end of his treatment. In a post on Facebook last week, the guitarist said: "Thank you for all the enquiries about my health, very kind. I'm not sure how the rumour of my being unwell started as I was away on holiday! Once you've had something like lymphoma the fear that it will return never leaves, all I can say is that right now I'm fine and have regular blood tests". Black Sabbath's planned show at Ozzfest Japan will be replaced with an Ozzy Osbourne solo set.

And a free Kanye West show at Swan Lake in Yerevan, Armenia was cut short by police after just six songs when the rapper jumped into the shallow waters of the lake (to be 'closer to the crowd') followed by many of the audience who mobbed him. The show lasted just 20 minutes.

Sabbath Back!

Black Sabbath have reclaimed the number 1 spot in the UK albums chart - 43 years after their last No 1 - a new record. Berating modern day 'manufactured bullshit', frontman Ozzy Osbourne put the bands longevity down to the knowing its craft. 

The new album, 13, sold 13,000 copies more than Beady Eye's new release, BE, in at No 2. 

The band also picked up two gongs at the Metal Hammer Golden God Awards

Best UK Band: Black Sabbath
Best International Band: Stone Sour
Best Live Band: Gojira
Best New Band: Bleed From Within
Best Underground Band: The Algorithm
Breakthrough Artist: Asking Alexandria
Best Album: Black Sabbath - 13
Best Song: Coheed And Cambria - Dark Side Of Me
Best Video: Avenged Sevenfold - Carry On
Best Event: Heavy Metal Census

Dimebag Darrell 'Shredder': Eric Calderone
Metal As Fuck: Burgerkill
Riff Lord: Scott Gorham
Spirit Of Hammer: Brian Blessed
Inspiration: Paradise Lost
Legend: Doro
Icons: Alice In Chains
The Golden God: Motörhead