Tony Iommi‘s new studio album From the Dark will be released on October 23rd on BMG Records. You can listen to the first single “World Alone” HERE.
21 years since his solo album Fused, 17 years since Heaven & Hell The Devil You Know, and 13 years since Black Sabbath’s 13, From the Dark sees Tony Iommi joined throughout by singer Jørn Lande (who shares writing credits on all songs), as well as bassist Becky Baldwin and drummer Karl Brazil.
The album is co-produced by Tony Iommi and Mike Exeter, his long-time creative partner, co-writer, producer and brilliant audio engineer, who also plays keyboards on the new album. Mike Exeter has worked with Iommi on his solo albums The 1996 DEP Sessions and Fused, but also with Heaven & Hell on The Devil You Know and the last Black Sabbath studio album, 13, among other prestigious albums and projects.
From the Dark tracklist: 1. Over the Violent Sun, 2. Black Times, 3. World Alone, 4. Beyond the Dead. 5. Stormwatcher, 6. Death Wake, 7. Return of the Arbalist, 8. Legacy. Deluxe CD bonus tracks: 9. Scent Of Dark, 10. Deified (extended).
On the last day of 2025, Tony Iommi shared a year-end video message, mentioning, among others, that in 2026 there would definitely be a new album. A few days earlier, during a Q&A session at the 2025 Steel City Con in Pennsylvania, the original Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler was asked if there was a possibility of him working again on new music with Tony Iommi. Butler mentioned then that Iommi was in the process of mixing the new album, and that he had a great singer from Sweden. People started thinking of singers from Sweden, but of course, Jørn Lande is from Norway.
Meanwhile, immediately when the new album and its recording line-up was announced, some fans wondered what it would be if ex-Black Sabbath singer Tony Martin could sing on it, or if he was even invited by Iommi, considering that Martin’s albums with Black Sabbath were finally reissued during the last two years.
Tony Martin’s reply: “Actually, he did give me an opportunity to work with these songs and gave him a bunch of demos, but it wasn’t what he was after and he had to move on. That’s OK… It was great to reconnect with him and loved the opportunity to try out for the tracks.”
Tony Iommi was never writing lyrics, so the singer of his new album should also be a contributor. In Martin’s words, “I just think he doesn’t want the demonic lyrics and the changes I made to make it fit… No worries… It is all an education and I am happy to have had the opportunity. Tony Iommi really is in a better place now, and he’s enjoying doing his thing… I love that. After all, it is his album, and he has to be happy where it goes, so yeah… all good. Glad I was in the frame.”
Still though, many fans, including myself, would love to see one final album reuniting Tony Iommi with Tony Martin. On the other hand, Jørn Lande sounds like a good choice and the closest voice to Ronnie James Dio you can get. Definitely a valid choice if you think that there would be a possibility of an album including different singers outside the heavy metal scene, or even… Yungblud.
Tony Iommi photo by Ross Halfin.
