Geezer Butler says he’s a fan of Mastodon and Royal Blood – but doesn’t believe they have it in them to fill Black Sabbath’s shoes.
The Sabbath bass player says the music industry is so different to when his own band started their journey that it’s almost impossible for young rock and metal acts to carve out a lifelong career.
And while he loves what Mastodon and Royal Blood are doing, he’s not sure they can ever get as big as Sabbath – who are on the road for the last ever time before calling it a day.
Butler tells Armi Official: “I like Mastodon, but I’m not sure how big they will become. And I like Royal Blood, but I’m not sure they could maintain the longevity required.
“I honestly don’t listen to much of any music these days. I like Mastodon and Royal Blood and Rival Sons. But I have a fairly eclectic taste in music. I even like Coldplay and Bruno Mars, and I still love Billie Holiday and Coltrane and the Beatles.”
And even if the bands he names had it in them to conquer the world, Butler doesn’t think the industry is in the right state to aid their rise.
He adds: “The music industry today is unrecognisable from when we first started. I think it’s harder than ever to break through the success barrier, especially for rock and metal bands.
“It’s very hard to make a good living out of music for new bands, especially with the access to the internet these days, having so many people posting their videos online.
“Downloading songs has made it almost impossible to make money from recordings and live shows. The internet has taken the surprise out of gigs.
“When we first started, if you wanted to see us you had to go to the gig. And if you wanted to hear our music you had to buy the vinyl record or cassette tape. Plus if you were successful, you could get backing from your record label.
“These days what record labels are left are reluctant to gamble on new bands, especially non pop related acts.”
The End tour resumes in Australia next month, with further dates expected to be added.
Black Sabbath The End tour remaining dates
Apr 15: Perth Arena, Australia
Apr 17: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Australia
Apr 19: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
Apr 23: Sydney Allphones Arena, Australia
Feb 25: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Australia
Apr 28: Auckland Vector Arena, New Zealand
Apr 30: Dunedin Forsyth Barr Stadium, New Zealand
Jun 01: Budapest Arena, Hungary
Jun 08: Berlin Waldebuhne, Germany
Jun 11: Download Festival, UK
Jun 13: Verona Arena, Italy
Jun 15: Zurich Hallenstadion, Switzerland
Jun 17: Dessel Graspop Metal Meeting, Belgium
Jun 23: Halden Tons of Rock, Norway
Jun 25: Copenhagen Copenhell, Denmark
Jun 28: Vienna Stadthalle, Austria
Jun 30: Prague 02 Arena, Czech Republic
Jul 02: Krakow Tauron Arena, Poland
Jul 05: Riga Arena, Latvia
Jul 07: Helsinki Monsters of Rock, Finland
Jul 09: Stockholm Monsters of Rock, Sweden
Jul 12: Moscow Olympisky Arena, Russia
Aug 17: Wantagh Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, NY
Aug 19: Philadelphia Susquehanna Bank Center, PA
Aug 21: Washington Jiffy Lube Live, DC
Aug 23: Holmdel PNC Bank Arts Center, NJ
Aug 25: Boston Xfinity Center, MA
Aug 27: Uncasville Mohegan Sun Arena, CT
Aug 29: Toronto Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, ON
Aug 31: Detroit DTE Energy Music Theater, MI
Sep 02: Indianapolis Klipsch Music Center, IN
Sep 04: Chicago Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, IL
Sep 07: Dallas Gexa Energy Pavilion, TX
Sep 09: Albuquerque Isleta Ampitheater, NM
Sep 11: Salt Lake City USANA Ampitheater, UT
Sep 13: Portland Sunlight Supply Arena, OR
Sep 15: Oakland Oracle Arena, CA
Sep 17: Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena, NV
Sep 19: Hollywood Hollywood Bowl, CA
Sep 21: Phoenix AK-Chin Pavilion, AZ
