BLACK SABBATH Guitarist's Lymphoma Diagnosis Won't Delay New Album

The 63-year-old heavy metal icon and founding member of Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi, has been diagnosed with early stage lymphoma. There are no plans to delay the recently re-united group's upcoming album with producer Rick Rubin despite Iommi's illness.

In an official statement, Iommi "remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery," as he currently works with doctors to determine the best course of treatment.

The original Black Sabbath lineup reunited late last year after months of speculation as Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler will release a brand new studio album produced by seven-time Grammy winner Rick Rubin in the Fall of 2012

Selling over 70 million albums together, the Grammy-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees have signed a new record deal worldwide with Vertigo and Vertigo/ Universal Republic in the U.S., the band’s original label. BLACK SABBATH is now in the studio recording the as-yet-untitled new album for release in the fall of 2012 (exact date TBA). It will mark their ninth studio album together and their first since 1978’s Never Say Die!

BLACK SABBATH also launched www.blacksabbath.com, the first-ever official BLACK SABBATH website for all authorized BLACK SABBATH news. In addition, the band’s online presence will also be supported by social media via Facebook and Twitter-- again, marking the band’s first-ever foray into the social media world.

This summer, BLACK SABBATH will headline the mammoth multi-day UK Download Festival in the U.K. on June 10.