More about: Black Sabbath

When you think of Black Sabbath, many may think of Ozzy Osbourne's howling face and all of those poor animals. The truth is though, that the reason they were originators who essentially shaped what rock music is today, is because it was always about the music, and the freedom to stand out.  

Watch our video interview with Black Sabbath below

It's that legacy and spirit that landed them the Lifetime Achievement award at this weelk's Ivor Novellos. But what do they make of the state of rock today? We put it to the band, and former drummer Bill Ward. 

"It's very tame now, because everybody's in it for the record companies and everything else, Geezer Butler tells Gigwise. "It's a shame it's like that because there are a lot of good bands going around that can't get heard, and the record companies are going through a really bad time as well with all of the internet stuff. People are playing it really safe."

Tony Iomi continued: "It's really difficult because when we came out it was honesty, and then it got to a stage years and years later when everyone is trying to do the worst thing they can do to get noticed, and so it went away from the music and it was all about how much blood you can have on your face and what hairstyle you've got, which lost it entirely from what we were about. As Gee said there are some great bands out there and it's hard to for them to get on."

Watch our full Black Sabbath interview below

So in 2015, what drives Black Sabbath to keep making music, and what do they still have left to prove?

"I like to play and make music - period," former drummer Bill Ward added. "It's part of my life, it's something that I like to do. It's like air and water, it's something that has to be done all of the time to try and better myself, talking about myself personally. That's why I continue to do it - I'll probably do it until the day I die. I hope I do." 

Ward recently made headlines with a very public argument with Ozzy Osbourne - after a row over "insults and false remarks" as well as an "unsignable contract" to rejoin, before Ozzy replied "what the fuck are you on about?"

Meanwhile, Sabbath have revealed that they'll be releasing their final album and embarking on their final tour in 2016. 

More about: Black Sabbath