Tony Iommi has announced his first solo album in years, From the Dark, and given fans an early taste with the release of its lead single, “World Alone.”
The album, due October 23 via BMG, arrives little more than a year after Black Sabbath’s farewell Back to the Beginning concert in Birmingham, England, and marks a new chapter for the pioneering heavy metal guitarist.
“World Alone,” which premiered today during a special streaming event in Iommi’s hometown near Birmingham’s Black Sabbath Bridge, pairs the guitarist with acclaimed Norwegian vocalist Jorn Lande. Driven by Iommi’s trademark downtuned riffs and soaring lead guitar work, the song is accompanied by a dystopian-themed video in which a character known as “The Believer” must survive a twisted video game to find salvation.
Lande sings on all eight tracks on From the Dark and shares songwriting credits with Iommi throughout the album. The lineup is completed by bass guitarist Becky Baldwin and drummer Karl Brazil, while Iommi co-produced the record with longtime collaborator Mike Exeter.
“It’s an album we’ve really enjoyed making,” Iommi said. “We’re not trying to prove anything — it’s a great album, it rocks!”
According to the track list, From the Dark opens with “Over the Violent Sun” before moving through songs including “Black Times,” “World Alone,” “Beyond the Dead,” “Stormwatcher,” “Death Wake,” “Return of the Arbalist” and the closing epic, “Legacy.” Lande’s lyrics explore dystopian themes, mortality and resilience, while Iommi’s guitar work remains rooted in the crushing, riff-driven style that helped define heavy metal.
A limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single of “World Alone,” backed with an instrumental version, will be released September 4. The song will also be featured on Gibson’s Learn to Play Guitar app.
From the Dark will be available in multiple vinyl and CD editions, including deluxe versions featuring expanded packaging and bonus tracks.
Iommi’s return comes after an eventful few years. In 2023, he collaborated with the Birmingham Royal Ballet on Black Sabbath – The Ballet, while 2025 saw the original Black Sabbath lineup reunite for the landmark Back to the Beginning farewell concert in Birmingham — Ozzy Osbourne’s final performance before his death just weeks later.
Widely regarded as one of the architects of heavy metal, Iommi helped forge Black Sabbath's groundbreaking sound after adapting his electric-guitar playing style following the industrial accident that cost him the tips of two fingers early in his career. Across six decades, he has earned Grammy Awards, induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and numerous honors in the U.K., including being appointed an MBE earlier this year.
With From the Dark, Iommi returns to center stage with his first collection of new solo material since 2005’s Fused, proving that the creative spark behind some of heavy metal’s most influential riffs continues to burn.
