BLACK SABBATH's '13' Tops U.K. Album Chart

"13", the first BLACK SABBATH record in 35 years to feature singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler all playing together, has entered the official U.K. chart at position No. 1. The CD sold 13,000 copies more than the No. 2 entry, "BE" by Liam Gallagher's BEADY EYE.

The last time SABBATH topped the chart in the U.K. was nearly 43 years ago — in October 1970 — with the band's second LP, "Paranoid".

"I'm in shock!" Ozzy Osbourne told OfficialCharts.com. "The success of this album has blown me off my feet. We've never had a record climb the charts so fast!"

Ozzy added the band would "probably" release another album but stopped short of saying that it was a sure thing. "We're still revelling in coming back with this," he said. "I don't want to promise anything to anyone. It took us long enough to do this, and we can't wait another 43 years to have another No 1. If it comes to pass and we don't make another record, then I can rest easily knowing we finished things properly with '13'."

As previously reported, "13"has entered the official Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) chart at position No. 4. This is the British metal legends' first Australian Top Ten album since "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" back in 1974.

"13" is likely to sell between 120,000 and 130,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to industry web site Hits Daily Double. The estimate was based on one-day sales reports compiled after the record arrived in stores on June 11 via Vertigo/Universal Republic. This marks BLACK SABBATH's return to Vertigo, their original label, and the group's first studio album together since 1978's "Never Say Die!"

Details of the album's deluxe edition surfaced on April 19, with the band revealing that the eight-song effort is accompanied by three bonus tracks called "Methademic", "Peace Of Mind" and "Pariah".

Several versions of "13" are available for order, including a standard CD, a double CD that includes a second disc of exclusive bonus audio, a heavyweight vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve and the aforementioned "Super Deluxe Box Set", which contains the double CD, the vinyl album, an exclusive DVD documentary on the band's reunion, 13 photographic prints and hand-written lyrics.

"13" track listing:

01. End Of The Beginning (8:05)
02. God Is Dead? (8:52)
03. Loner (4:59)
04. Zeitgeist (4:37)
05. Age Of Reason (7:01)
06. Live Forever (4:46)
07. Damaged Soul (7:51)
08. Dear Father (7:20)

Deluxe-edition bonus tracks:

09. Methademic (5:57)
10. Peace Of Mind (3:40)
11. Pariah (5:34)

Total running time (with bonus tracks): 68 minutes, 42 seconds

The drum tracks on the album were laid down by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE sticksman Brad Wilk following original drummer Bill Ward's decision to bow out of the reunion.

Ozzy told an Australian radio station that "13" is "mind-blowing," adding, "It's better than my wildest dreams; it's so good."

SABBATH kicked off its world tour in support of "13" on April 20 in Auckland.