Black Sabbath at MGM Grand

Sun, Sep 1, 2013 (11:42 p.m.)

As exciting as it is to see original Black Sabbath members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler touring together again, there was something missing from their Sunday night concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The most obvious absence was original Sabbath drummer Bill Ward, who has been replaced on this tour by Tommy Clufetos of Osbourne’s solo band. Clufetos is a powerhouse drummer, but he lacks Ward’s finesse, and he sometimes overdid it on the more subtle vintage Sabbath songs. (Giving him a lengthy drum solo framed by “Rat Salad,” an instrumental which on record showcases Ward’s talents, seemed a little insulting, not to mention tedious.)

Links from this Photo Gallery:

• LEGENDS OF METAL: DESPITE DISTRACTIONS, BLACK SABBATH REMAINS STRONG

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