Founding member of Black Sabbath and the godfather of heavy metal guitar returns with his first new solo music in 21 years and his first full length release since Black Sabbath’s final album, ’13’. Across eight inventive, expansive and absorbing tracks, Tony and his long-term producer Mike Exeter have created one of 2026’s defining rock albums. Sonically heavy and rich in musical textures, it sees Tony bring to life a musical vision long-in-the-making, and features some of the finest guitar performances of his career.
This is vintage Iommi. He has the Norwegian vocalist Jørn Lande on the mic, whom some will know from his eponymous hard rock project, or from fronting power metallers Pentakill. Others will remember him from when he stepped in to take Ronnie James Dio’s spot to fulfil “Heaven & Hell’s” 2010 touring commitments after the death of the legendary metal frontman. Here, Iommi gives him plenty to work with.
‘World Alone’ is the first single and is fast paced, guitar driven track with Tony’s signature, monster riffs driving throughout. It’s heavy, yet catchy and is uplifting courtesy of the lyricist and vocalist, Jorn Lande. This is classic Iommi and bears all the hallmarks of his legendary guitar work combined with a contemporary twist.
Thematically, the video follows The Believer through a retro-futuristic dystopia in which, like Jeff Bridges in Tron, he is thrown into a videogame, and has to save his own life and find salvation in the process. Iommi has made mention that he has a solo album percolating in the background but he has had a full schedule. There have been his Black Sabbath commitments, with the Birmingham metal godfathers bringing down the curtain on their career at Back To The Beginning last year, the metal all-dayer to end all metal all-dayers.
Iommi had been working on perfume lines, in ballet, too, when he teamed up with the Birmingham Royal Ballet to rework Sabbath’s early work in dance. Then there was the Gibson documentary and the reissue of his signature Gibson pickups. Finally, the album is ready.
“It’s an album we’ve really enjoyed making,” says Iommi. “We’re not trying to prove anything – it’s a great album, it rocks!”
“From The Dark” was produced by Iommi with his long-standing tech, cowriter and engineering whiz Mike Exeter. Becky Baldwin of UK thrashers Fury and Mercyful Fate plays bass guitar. Karl Brazil, who played on Iommi’s 2024 single, Deified, returns on drums. Deified, however, does not. It remains a standalone single. Lande handles the album’s lyrics. Expect existentialism, “nautical metaphors” and downtuned riffola. “World Alone” is more uptempo but you can be rest assured there will be some low and slow doomy groovers. Iommi will be releasing “World Alone” on foil-sleeved 7” vinyl, with an instrumental version on Side B.
Tony Iommi announces his solo album “From The Dark“, dropping October 23rd, featuring the first single “World Alone“.
The Fat Angel Sings 