Legendary Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi on Tuesday denied reports that the band was reuniting for a tour and album, issuing the following statement:

"I'm saddened that a Birmingham journalist whom I trusted has chosen this point in time to take a conversation we had back in June and make it sound like we spoke yesterday about a Black Sabbath reunion.

"At the time I was supporting the Home Of Metal exhibition was merely speculating shooting the breeze on something all of us get asked constantly, 'Are you getting back together?'

"Thanks to the Internet it's now gone round the world as some sort of 'official' statement on my part; absolute nonsense. I hope he's enjoyed his moment of glory, he won't have another at my expense.

"To my old pals, Ozzy, Geezer and Bill, sorry about this, I should have known better."

Black Sabbath's original members have not toured together since 2005, but did get together in 2005 for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  The band is widely considered the most influential heavy metal band of all time and is cited as a major influence by nearly every major metal act of the last 40 years.