Written By Chris Norris
Tony Iommi Announces New Solo Album From The Dark
Tony Iommi has officially announced From The Dark, his brand-new solo album and first major solo release in years, while also opening up publicly for the first time about the loss of his lifelong friend and Black Sabbath bandmate Ozzy Osbourne.
Due for release on October 23 via BMG, From The Dark arrives one year after Black Sabbath’s farewell Back To The Beginning concert in Birmingham.
Leading the announcement is the blistering first single, “World Alone,” which premiered during a special global streaming event held just steps away from Birmingham’s Black Sabbath Bridge, the landmark dedicated to the legendary band in 2019.
Featuring acclaimed Norwegian vocalist Jørn Lande, bassist Becky Baldwin, drummer Karl Brazil, and longtime collaborator Mike Exeter as co-producer, the album promises a modern yet unmistakably classic Tony Iommi sound built around crushing riffs, soaring melodies, and cinematic atmosphere.
Speaking about the album, Iommi kept things characteristically simple.
“It’s an album we’ve really enjoyed making. We’re not trying to prove anything. It’s a great album, it rocks!”
The accompanying video for “World Alone” also breaks from convention. Rather than featuring the band performing, it unfolds in a retro-futuristic dystopian universe where a character known as The Believer is thrust into a deadly video game in search of redemption.
Iommi explained that avoiding another traditional performance video was intentional.
“I didn’t want to do a video with all the band. I didn’t even really, to be honest, want to do a video. I just didn’t want to go the old route of all the bands standing there playing. That’s been done a hundred times.”
Reflecting on Ozzy Osbourne
Alongside the album announcement, Iommi spoke candidly with Rolling Stone about losing Ozzy Osbourne, admitting that the reality still hasn’t fully settled in.
“It’s been really strange. I still don’t feel like he’s gone because when I look on YouTube or whatever, there’s something to do with Ozzy, and I see him again and again. It’s almost like he’s still here. It’s really peculiar. Only, we were in touch so many times. That’s what I miss.”
The Black Sabbath guitarist revealed that the two remained incredibly close throughout their health struggles, supporting each other through some of life’s most difficult moments.
“He was going through so many different things and constantly in and out of hospital… He stood by me when I was diagnosed with cancer. He called me every day. So we’ve been supportive of each other. I do miss our conversations.”
Unexpected Surprises on From The Dark
The new album contains several moments that even longtime Iommi fans may not expect.
On the closing track “Legacy,” he performs an acoustic guitar solo despite openly admitting that acoustic guitar has never been his comfort zone.
“I like to do something you don’t really expect. And to be honest, I hate playing acoustic. I’m not very good at playing acoustic. On that bit, I just thought it would be nice and different.”
Although many fans hoped to hear Geezer Butler on bass, scheduling prevented it. Instead, Iommi recruited Mercyful Fate bassist Becky Baldwin, praising both her musicianship and her ability to capture Butler’s unmistakable style.
“She plays in Geezer’s style. And that’s what I wanted. She’s really good.”
Iommi also offered exciting news for longtime Black Sabbath fans by confirming that the legendary 1969 Earth demo recordings, made before the band adopted the Black Sabbath name, are finally expected to receive an official release.
“It’s weird when you hear stuff from so long ago… I sat listening to them all, and it was good because there’s some jazzy stuff and bluesy stuff we done on them where we just used to jam. On a lot of the jams, it was all guitar, and I forgot about half of that. I can’t play that now.”
A New Chapter
Musically, From The Dark explores themes of mortality, isolation, hope, and perseverance. Songs such as “Stormwatcher,” “Death Wake,” and “Legacy” delve into existential imagery, while opening tracks “Over The Violent Sun” and “Black Times” showcase the downtuned riffs that have defined Iommi’s legendary career.
Tracklisting
Over The Violent Sun
Black Times
World Alone
Beyond The Dead
Stormwatcher
Death Wake
Return Of The Arbalist
Legacy
Deluxe CD bonus tracks
Scent Of Dark
Deified (extended)
THE BRAND-NEW ALBUM
RELEASED OCTOBER 23RD on BMG
PRE-ORDER HERE
Collectors will have multiple physical editions to choose from, including deluxe gatefold vinyl variants, media book CDs, and an Amazon-exclusive CD.
A limited-edition 7-inch vinyl single of “World Alone” will also arrive on September 4, backed with an exclusive instrumental version housed in a deluxe foiled sleeve. The song will additionally be featured on Gibson’s Learn & Master guitar platform.
Nearly six decades after helping create heavy metal, Tony Iommi continues moving forward rather than looking back. If “World Alone” is any indication, From The Dark isn’t simply another solo album. It’s the next chapter from one of heavy metal’s greatest architects.
About the Author
Chris Norris is the voice behind Metal Lair’s global metal coverage, World Metal Weekly. From funeral doom in the north to thrash born in the streets. Known for spotlighting bands before algorithms notice them and for writing with the precision of a scalpel… or a well-sharpened guitar pick. Vinyl collector. Night-shift journalist. Believes heavy music has no borders.
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