What’s On hears from Geezer and Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath in Abu Dhabi as they prepare to play du Arena, Yas Island. Get tickets information here.

It’s safe to say the wardrobe for Black Sabbath’s world tour contains an awful lot of black. The classic heavy metal band are touring with their first studio album in 35 years, titled 13. Produced by the legendary Rick Rubin, the record gave the band their first No 1 album in America. Remarkably, three of the original line up from 1968 are still rocking: singer Ozzy Osbourne, 65, bassist Geezer Butler, 64, and guitarist Tony Iommi, 66.

How do you get ready for a gig?
Geezer: I always do a 15-minute yoga routine and a 15-minute warm up on bass in my dressing room.
Ozzy: I usually get to the show earlier, and do a meet and greet with fans and friends. Then I go into my show ritual, which consists of 45 minutes of vocal warm ups, then five to ten minutes of cardio workout. I say a small prayer and then hit the stage.

What do you think about when you’re performing a gig?
Geezer: Being the best I can.

How did it feel to win your third Grammy in 2014 for Best Metal Performance?
Geezer: We were honoured just to get nominated for three Grammys. So to actually win was an unexpected bonus.

How do you think the band has evolved since its beginning?
Geezer: We’re all more mature now and respect each other as friends and musicians.

You’ve influenced many metal bands such as Iron Maiden, Metallica and Megadeth. Who were your influences?
Geezer: The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Cream.
Ozzy: The Beatles were the first band I heard that made me want to start my own band.

What does Black Sabbath have planned for the near future?
Geezer: We take things one day at a time, but as far as touring goes, we have some US, Canadian, and European dates in addition to the Abu Dhabi gig this year.
Ozzy: We have no plans beyond June, but I wouldn’t mind doing another album with the guys. I guess we’ll see what happens.

What do you consider your greatest achievement as a band?
Ozzy: Longevity. There are not many performers who can say they have been performing for 45 years.

May 29
Du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 9pm, Tel: (800) 86823. Taxi: Du Arena. ticketmaster.ae