The longtime Black Sabbath guitarist (often called the “Godfather of Heavy Metal”) revealed the details on July 29, 2026, during a special global streaming/press event in his hometown of Birmingham, England—near the Black Sabbath Bridge. The announcement came alongside the premiere of the lead single “World Alone” and its music video.
Key Details
- Previous solo albums: Iommi (2000, featuring multiple guest vocalists) and Fused (2005, with Glenn Hughes). This is his third formal solo studio album.
- Lineup:
- Tony Iommi – guitar (and co-producer)
- Jørn Lande (Norwegian vocalist known for Masterplan, Allen/Lande, Ark, and other projects; he also performed with Heaven & Hell after Ronnie James Dio’s death) – vocals and co-writer on all songs
- Becky Baldwin (Mercyful Fate, Fury) – bass
- Karl Brazil (touring drummer for artists including Robbie Williams and James Blunt) – drums
- Mike Exeter (longtime Iommi collaborator, engineer, and co-producer who worked on Black Sabbath’s 13) – co-producer and keys
- Brian May (Queen) – guest guitar solo on “Death Wake”
Iommi had hoped to involve Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler, but scheduling conflicts (Butler was working on his own material) prevented it; Baldwin was chosen in part for her affinity for Butler’s style.
Track Listing
- Over The Violent Sun
- Black Times
- World Alone
- Beyond The Dead
- Stormwatcher
- Death Wake (feat. Brian May)
- Return Of The Arbalist
- Legacy
Deluxe CD editions add two previously released tracks linked to Iommi’s collaborations with the luxury perfume house Xerjoff: “Scent Of Dark” (2021) and an extended “Deified” (2024). A limited-edition 7″ single of “World Alone” (with an instrumental B-side) is scheduled for September 4. Various vinyl formats (including colored/marble pressings) and other editions are planned.
Context and Background
The project had been in the works for years (teased as early as 2023), initially considered as an instrumental effort before evolving into a full band record with Lande. Iommi has described the process as enjoyable and pressure-free: “It’s an album we’ve really enjoyed making. We’re not trying to prove anything – it’s a great album, it rocks!” Reports characterize the sound as featuring his signature heavy, down-tuned, doomy riffs alongside more up-tempo material, with crystalline modern production that still feels timeless. Lyrics (credited with Lande) lean into dystopian imagery and reflections on the human condition.
The timing is notable. It arrives roughly a year after Black Sabbath’s final-ever performance at the 2025 “Back to the Beginning” concert in Birmingham and shortly after the first anniversary of Ozzy Osbourne’s death. In a contemporaneous Rolling Stone interview, Iommi spoke about the strange sense that Ozzy still feels present through constant media and online content, while missing their frequent contact.
“World Alone” is described as a mid-to-up-tempo heavy track with pointed chugs, wah-inflected solos, and Lande’s powerful, raspy delivery. The video has a retro-futuristic, dystopian “video game” narrative. The song is available now, and pre-orders for the album are open via Iommi’s official site and BMG links.
This marks a significant return for Iommi as a solo artist after decades focused on Sabbath (including the final album 13 in 2013 and the farewell shows), occasional collaborations, and other projects. At 78, he continues to generate new music rooted in the foundational heavy sound he pioneered.
