Black Sabbath's Bill Ward honours Las Vegas shooting victims with new song 'Arrows'
Former Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward has shared a new song called ‘Arrows’ to mark the second anniversary of the Las Vegas shooting today (1st October).
Bill shared a video on Twitter this morning to unveil the poignant new track, which is being released by his titular musical ensemble Bill Ward Band.
The metal legend explained ‘Arrows’ is “like laying a wreath” for the 58 people who were killed by mass murderer Stephen Paddock at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival, and he hopes it can “bring some solace” to those affected by the mass shooting, including the hundreds who were injured.
> https://t.co/l9ylUHdkRc pic.twitter.com/MaacSwaQ57 > > — Bill Ward (@billwarddrums) October 1, 2019
Bill said: “Hi everybody, my name is Bill Ward, and today I’m speaking on behalf of my band the Bill Ward Band.
“In the evening of October 1st 2017 there was a mass shooting in Las Vegas. What we’re going to do on October 1st 2019 is we’re going to release a song that I hope will be supportive and it’s to me kind of like laying a wreath and sending the very best to everybody… and wishing everybody well… the injured.
“(The song is) just a way of saying we’re very sorry that all those things happened and we honour those who are not with us today.
“It’s a very solemn gesture, but at the same time I’ve written a song that I hope can bring some solace (and) some good things to those that are still working through that particular shooting, and those particular issues they’ve encountered because of the shooting.”
Available to listen to below, ‘Arrows’ is written, composed and produced by Bill Ward and, sonically, it’s far removed from his pioneering heavy metal sounds with Black Sabbath.
The Bill Ward Band performers include former Whitesnake, Foreigner and Ozzy Osbourne drummer Brian Tichy, and former Black Label Society, Megadeth and Slash's Snakepit musician James LoMenzo on bass.
Sarah Dugas and Ezra Ward are also listed as performers with Keith Lynch on guitar, and Marcel Fernandez on additional producing and mixing duties.
Back in July, Bill Ward posted a video to social media saying he’s "very open-minded to any ideas" of a Black Sabbath reunion.
In the short clip, Bill lavishes his former band mates with praise, saying: "Hi everybody. My name is Bill Ward, and I wanted to say that I love Tony (Iommi), Geezer (Butler) and Ozzy (Osbourne) very much. I've loved them for a long time, and I still do.
“And I would be very open-minded to any ideas about playing together in the future. That's it. Love you all. Thanks."