Tony Iommi Recalls 'Awkward' Sessions with Rick Rubin for '13'

Tony Iommi has reflected on the peculiar circumstances surrounding the recording of Black Sabbath's final studio album, "13". In a recent interview with Planet Rock, the legendary guitarist described the production process with Rick Rubin as an "awkward" experience, primarily due to a breakdown in communication between the producer and the rest of the band.

Iommi revealed that Rubin often bypassed the other members, communicating exclusively with him. This led to situations where the band was left in the dark about the material being recorded. Iommi recounted a specific instance in Los Angeles where Rubin tasked him with creating a track similar to "Planet Caravan" over a weekend. When the band entered the studio on Monday, Geezer Butler was left bewildered by the sudden inclusion of a song he had never heard. "I don't even know what it is. I don't know what key is," Butler remarked during a later interview, noting the bizarre experience of being told to forget they were a heavy metal band.

I don't know what happened there. ... It was such an awkward situation.

While "13" achieved significant commercial success, including a No. 1 spot on the Billboard chart and a rare UK top spot, the internal dynamics were fraught. Ozzy Osbourne later admitted he didn't feel a "charge" from the record, noting it felt like someone else had full control of the recording process. Butler also noted the frustration of Rubin's demands, including making Iommi hunt for 1968 amps to achieve a specific vintage sound. Despite the friction, the album remains a notable, if complicated, chapter in the band's storied history.