Black Sabbath made the announcement during a press conference today at the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles, where Sabbath played its first show in the city exactly 41 years ago. At this stage they will be headlining the  Download Festival June 8-10 in Donington Park, England as well as touring extensively next year.

The other great news is that Rick Rubin will produce the group’s new album, which is expected to be released in the second half of 2012 via Vertigo/Universal.