Black Sabbath members are reuniting for a tour next year, without crux member Ozzy Osbourne.

The trio have formed the outfit �Heaven and Hell� and will be joined by vocalist Ronnie Jones Dio who played with Black Sabbath during the eighties and nineties when Ozzy was ousted from the group.

A statement from Ozzy himself confirms this is a complete side project, saying Tommy Iommi and Dio are �working on a project that has nothing to with Black Sabbath. However Ozzy wishes Tony and Ronnie much success in their new project together.�

It continued that there is �only one Black Sabbath� before adding that Black Sabbath are planning to join forces again towards the end of 2007.

Heaven and Hell features Dio and Iommi together with bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward.

Dio and Iommi are currently busy writing material in England for the project.