Tony Iommi releases new solo album From the Dark

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi released his new solo album, From the Dark, through BMG on Friday, October 23, marking the release with an official lyric video for the opening track Over the Violent Sun. The record serves as Iommi’s first solo album since his 2005 release, Fused.

The Creation of From the Dark

Iommi recorded the new album alongside singer Jørn Lande, who co-wrote every song and handled all the lyrics. The lineup also features bassist Becky Baldwin of Mercyful Fate and drummer Karl Brazil. Iommi co-produced the project with Mike Exeter, his engineer and creative partner of some 30 years.

The guitarist explained to Philadelphia radio station 93.3 WMMR that the absence of a deadline shaped the entire process. With no tour looming and a home studio available, Iommi could take his time and live with musical ideas. He and Exeter scheduled sessions on Mondays and Tuesdays around their other commitments.

The project initially began as an instrumental endeavor. Iommi had laid down four or five tracks before deciding he wanted a vocalist, setting those early recordings aside to write new riffs with a singer in mind. He first worked with Lande at a London tribute concert for Ronnie James Dio, where the Norwegian vocalist performed a handful of Black Sabbath songs. Iommi told WMMR that he likes Lande’s voice because it goes with what he plays.

Musical Style and Track Release Details

Consequence characterized Over the Violent Sun as an opening track that leans into a gothic take on US power metal, a style combining doom metal pacing with the epic majesty of traditional heavy metal. Consequence noted that the combination of Iommi’s riffing and Lande’s vocals features an honorable heir to Ronnie James Dio, while the album as a whole acts as a successor to Tony Martin’s swan song Forbidden.

The release of Over the Violent Sun follows earlier singles World Alone (July) and Stormwatcher (September). The album title itself reflects the mood of it, according to the guitarist.

Physical Formats and Complete Track Listing

From the Dark is available in multiple physical configurations, including a gatefold double LP cut at 45rpm across four color variants, an Amazon-exclusive CD, and a 32-page CD media book containing two bonus tracks.

The complete track listing for From the Dark includes:

• Over the Violent Sun
• Black Times
• World Alone
• Beyond The Dead
• Stormwatcher
• Death Wake
• Return Of The Arbalist
• Legacy
• Scent Of Dark (media book bonus track)
• Deified (extended version) (media book bonus track)