Black Sabbath to Play ‘Intimate’ Hometown Show in Birmingham, England

The unfortunate turn of events in the Black Sabbath camp, including Tony Iommi‘s cancer diagnosis and Bill Ward‘s contract issues, limited the newly reunited Black Sabbath to only a couple of 2012 shows instead of a world tour. However, one more show has been added to Sabbath’s schedule, which will be their first official reunion performance.

Black Sabbath just announced that  they will play an “intimate” homecoming show at the 4,000-person capacity O2 Academy in Birmingham, England, in order to warm up for the band’s massive gig at the U.K.’s Download Festival. This will be the first time Sabbath has graced their hometown with a performance in 13 years.

The question of Bill Ward’s possible participation still burns in the stomachs of Black Sabbath fans. Will Bill Ward be a part of this intimate homecoming show? The official announcement by Sabbath made a point to not include Ward’s name — “Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler return to their hometown for this exclusive show.”

This show will be only one of three this year under the Black Sabbath name, with the band also set to play at the 2012 Lollapalooza festival Aug. 3 in Chicago. In place of the previously scheduled Sabbath dates, Ozzy Osbourne will embark on of European dates with Butler and special guests Zakk Wylde and Slash under the name of ‘Ozzy and Friends.’