BREAKING: Black Sabbath Drummer Bill Ward Fi… read more.
Bill Ward, the original drummer of heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath, has officially finished two long-awaited solo albums marking a powerful and emotional return to music after years away from the limelight.
The 77-year-old musician revealed that his new albums, titled “Beyond the Wall” and “Accountable Beasts II,” are now fully complete and will soon be released to the public. According to Ward, these works go far beyond just another entry in his discography they represent his personal journey through illness, isolation, and ultimately, healing.
“I wasn’t sure I had it in me anymore,” Ward shared. “But the songs kept coming. Creating them gave me strength when I needed it most.”
A Quiet Return Becomes a Creative Breakthrough
Since releasing Accountable Beasts in 2015, Ward has remained largely out of the public eye, focusing on his health and personal life. A series of heart-related medical issues kept him from touring and contributed to his long absence from the studio.
But behind the scenes, Ward never stopped writing. Little by little, he returned to his instruments, to his words, and eventually to a familiar creative rhythm.
“Writing and recording these albums became a form of therapy,” he said. “When I thought I had nothing left to give, the music reminded me that I still had stories to tell.”
Two Sides of the Same Soul
Each album brings a unique experience to listeners.
Beyond the Wall is the more reflective of the two, focusing on emotional landscapes shaped by age, loss, love, and the passage of time. It features softer arrangements, storytelling lyrics, and melodic structures influenced by jazz, classic rock, and orchestral elements.
“It’s deeply personal,” Ward explained. “This album is about confronting pain, looking back at life, and finding forgiveness for others and for myself.”
Meanwhile, Accountable Beasts II is a heavier, more intense ride. As a continuation of its 2015 predecessor, it dives into darker sounds, with heavier riffs, dramatic drum work, and lyrics that channel frustration, defiance, and resilience.
“It’s raw,” Ward said with a grin. “Sometimes you just need to let it rip and that’s exactly what I did.”
An Icon Looks Forward
Bill Ward’s name is etched into rock history for his groundbreaking work on Sabbath’s early albums, like Paranoid, Master of Reality, and Vol. 4. His unique drumming style and soulful playing helped define the sound of an entire genre.
Still, his relationship with Black Sabbath has had its ups and downs. His absence from the band’s 2012 reunion and final tour led to years of distance from his former bandmates. Yet Ward now says he holds no grudges.
“I’ll always love those guys,” he said. “The past is the past. I’m grateful for what we built together. But this new chapter is mine.”
What Comes Next?
While fans hope to see Ward perform again, he remains realistic about his limits. He hinted at the possibility of a livestreamed studio performance or a small virtual event—but ruled out touring, at least for now.
“I’m taking care of my health. But I’d love to do something live, even if it’s just once, to celebrate with the fans,” he said.
As he reflects on the journey that led to these two new albums, Ward emphasized his gratitude for those who stayed with him along the way.
“There were days I thought I was finished—physically, creatively, emotionally. But this music, and the people who believed in me, pulled me through. These albums are for them.”
With Beyond the Wall and Accountable Beasts II, Ward reminds the world that while time may pass and circumstances may change, the heartbeat of a true artist never stops.
