Ozzy, please be straightfoward

Dear Mr. Osbourne,

As you know, 2005 marks Black Sabbath's 35th anniversary. We would like to thank you for your contributions to heavy metal, both with and without Black Sabbath.

However, we Black Sabbath fans are dismayed that in 8 years and 4 reunion tours, we have only heard 3 new Black Sabbath songs; only 2 of which have been officially released. Recent comments by other members of Black Sabbath have suggested that your busy schedule outside of Black Sabbath has inhibited the possibility of the long-awaited new Black Sabbath album.

We are therefore respectfully asking you to be straightforward about your future plans with Black Sabbath. Every reunion tour re-ignites the hope that a new Black Sabbath album will surface, and sadly, the continual absence of such an album makes many of us struggle with feelings of futility.

If your plans with Black Sabbath do not include contributing to a new album, we respectfully ask you to consider letting another front man take over singing duties. There are many talented singers who would jump at the chance to sing for Black Sabbath, and their enthusiasm should be encouraged, not squandered.

We hope that you truly do intend to record a new album with Black Sabbath, as the fusion of the four founding members represents Black Sabbath in its purest form. However, the long wait for a new album has made Black Sabbath fans start to lose hope, and we would prefer to remember the original Black Sabbath by the lyrics "Never Say Die" instead of "We Just Fade to Black."