BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler recently discussed the making of the iconic metal band’s final studio album, “13”, which arrived back in 2013.
Speaking during an appearance on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk” yesterday (Thursday, April 28), Geezer discussed working with legendary producer Rick Rubin, saying (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Some of it I liked, some of it I didn’t like particularly. It was a weird experience, especially with being told to forget that you’re a heavy metal band. That was the first thing [Rick] said to us. He played us our very first album, and he said, ‘Cast your mind back to then when there was no such thing as heavy metal or anything like that, and pretend it’s the follow-up album to that,’ which is a ridiculous thing to think.”
When it was brought up to Butler that numerous artists who have worked with Rubin before had walked away from the experience feeling slightly “underwhelmed”, Geezer said: “I still don’t know what he did. It’s, like, ‘Yeah, that’s good.’ ‘No, don’t do that.’ And you go, ‘Why?’ [And he’d say], ‘Just don’t do it.’ I think Ozzy one day went nuts ’cause he’d done, like, 10 different vocals, and Rick kept saying, ‘Yeah, that’s great, but do another one.’ And Ozzy was, like, ‘If it’s great, why am I doing another one?’ He just lost it. And that’s the way it was. Tony wasn’t happy with some of the stuff he was trying to make him play. He was making Tony get 1968 amps — as if that’s gonna make it sound like back in 1968. It’s mad. But it’s good for publicity and it’s good for the record company. If you’ve got Rick Rubin involved, then it must be good, kind of thing.”
Original BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward announced back in May 2012 that he would not be joining his former bandmates for the recording of the new album, or for any touring due to a contractual dispute. Rick Rubin had suggested original CREAM drummer Ginger Baker at the time, which was quickly shot down by the band.
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE drummer Brad Wilk eventually got the gig for the album sessions. All touring duties behind the drum kit were covered by Ozzy’s touring drummer Tommy Clufetos.
Rick Rubin has worked with countless artists over the years, including AC/DC, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, Johnny Cash, SLAYER, BEASTIE BOYS, METALLICA and numerous others.
Thank you @geezerbutler for coming by my Vegas place today and joining me on #TrunkNation ! If you missed it now on the @SIRIUSXM app. Replay tonight 10-Mid ET @siriusxmvolume 106. Geez at 11P ET. Just another day at work in Vegas… awesome!! pic.twitter.com/a8NuK6aXFh
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) April 28, 2022