Black Sabbath's first official book lands this October

The first official Black Sabbath book is finally on the way, with a massive 500-page tribute celebrating one of the most influential bands in rock history set to arrive this October.

Called ‘The Masters of Reality: Why Black Sabbath Matter’, the book has been put together by legendary rock photographer Ross Halfin and digs into the band's story from their late-1960s beginnings right through to the Back to the Beginning farewell concert. 

As you'd expect, it's not just a stack of old photos. The book features rare photographs, memorabilia, plus essays from Geoff Barton and Dave Ling, who interviewed all four members of Sabbath's classic lineup, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, specifically for the project. 

If you like reading, then you’ve got all the insights. If you just like looking at the pictures, it ticks that box too. 

The project has actually been in the works for the past two years and was originally meant to arrive shortly after the Back to the Beginning concert. Those plans changed following Ozzy Osbourne's death. 

"Ozzy and Sharon wanted the book out soon after the final show in Birmingham, but Ozzy suddenly passing away caused the music world to stop," Halfin explained in a press release.

"Ozzy was fully involved with the book, and he signed the book plates months before the final show, as did all the band members. So now, we all thought the time was right, one year after Back to the Beginning, to announce the project. A book we all feel celebrates both Black Sabbath and Ozzy and illustrates just how important they are. I hope fans enjoy it." 

The book is available to pre-order now if you're keen to clear a bit of space on the bookshelf.