Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi reacts to Birmingham Royal Ballet heavy metal dance show

Black Sabbath is a household name in Birmingham and a global band whose success has spanned many decades.

But it may come as a surprise to fans to haer that a ballet is now underway based around their heavy metal hits. Birmingham Royal Ballet has announced that they will soon be rehearsing for Black Sabbath - the Ballet with performances beginning in September at the Hippodrome theatre.

Nobody can deny that the band is known for their unique sounds and other innovations - just like the ballet promises to be! And Tony Iommi has issued a statement about it.

Iommi, 74, said: “I’m looking forward to seeing how this all develops! Black Sabbath have always been innovators and never been predictable, and it doesn’t come any more unpredictable than this!

“I’d never imagined pairing Black Sabbath with Ballet but it’s got a nice ring to it! I’ve met with Carlos several times and his enthusiasm is infectious.

“I performed alongside some of the dancers at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony and they had an incredible energy, so I’m happy to go along  for the ride with them and see you on the other side!”

The eight Black Sabbath tracks that will feature are:

• Paranoid (Paranoid, 1970);
• Ironman (Paranoid, 1970);
• War Pigs (Paranoid, 1970);
• Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath, 1970);
• Solitude (Master of Reality, 1971);
• Orchid (Master of Reality, 1971);
• Laguna Sunrise (Vol 4, 1972) and
• Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, 1973).

The music will be re-orchestrated for the Royal Ballet Sinfonia with new compositions inspired by Black Sabbath also performed live by the orchestra. On the stage guitars and drums will be integrated into the performance.

Recently, a track Iommi worked on with his former bandmate Ozzy Osbourne won a Grammy award. Degradation Rules ft. Tony Iommi took home the Best Metal Performance Grammy for the track.