Tony Iommi announces first solo album in 20 years, debuts first song

Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi has officially announced From the Dark, his first solo album in nearly two decades, with the eight-track record arriving on October 23 via BMG.

After wrapping up Black Sabbath with 13 in 2013, and with his last solo effort Fused landing back in 2005, Iommi is finally stepping back into the spotlight on his own. To mark the announcement, he's also released the album's first single, "World Alone," giving fans a taste of what's to come.

"It's an album we've really enjoyed making. We're not trying to prove anything," Iommi said. "It's a great album, it rocks!"

Joining him on the album is Norwegian vocalist Jørn Lande, who co-wrote all eight tracks and marks the latest chapter in a collaboration with Iommi that stretches back more than 20 years.

The lineup is rounded out by Mercyful Fate bassist Becky Baldwin and drummer Karl Brazil, whose résumé includes touring with Robbie Williams, James Blunt and Feeder. Iommi also reunited with longtime collaborator Mike Exeter, with the pair co-producing the album.

According to BMG, the album explores themes of mortality, isolation and the human experience, particularly on tracks like "Stormwatcher" and "Death Wake," which lean into dark imagery and emotional storytelling.

The early response to "World Alone" has been exactly what you'd expect from metal fans. Plenty reckon Lande and Iommi are "a perfect match", while others have joked that "heavy metal listens to Tony Iommi."

One comment summed up the mood perfectly: "Tony has nothing left to prove, yet his passion remains unstoppable. Seeing him healthy and dropping fresh music is a true gift for the rock world."

At 78, Iommi is still writing crushing riffs, and judging by the early reaction, fans are more than happy to hear the godfather of heavy metal proving he's still got plenty left in the tank.

Who is Jørn Lande?

While some fans may be meeting Lande for the first time, the pair actually go way back, having first worked together in 2005 before those sessions were shelved when Heaven & Hell became the priority.

Lande later reunited with Iommi following Ronnie James Dio's death, performing alongside the surviving members of Heaven & Hell at the band's emotional 2010 tribute appearance at London's High Voltage Festival.

From the Dark tracklist:

1. Over the Violent Sun

2. Times

3. World Alone

4. Beyond the Dead

5. Stormwatcher

6. Death Wake

7. Return of the Arbalist

8. Legacy

Bonus tracks: 9. Scent of Dark

10. Deified