Tony Iommi Keeps the Black Sabbath Flame Burning on New Project From The Dark
With Ozzy Osbourne gone and Geezer Butler and Bill Ward all but retired, Tony Iommi remains the torchbearer for Black Sabbath’s unmistakable sound. On his new album, From The Dark, the legendary guitarist teams up with Norwegian singer Jørn Lande to deliver a heavy metal record that channels the spirit of the Ronnie James Dio-fronted era and the subsequent Heaven & Hell lineup.
A Heavyweight Collaboration
Lande proves an imposing partner, co-writing all eight tracks with Iommi. Behind the frontmen, the rhythm section features bassist Becky Baldwin of Mercyful Fate and drummer Karl Brazil. Meanwhile, producer Mike Exeter contributes occasional keyboards and orchestrations.
The album wastes no time establishing its weight, opening with the heavy-hitting track “Over The Violent Sun.” From there, Iommi cycles through crushing tempos and moody atmospheres:
- Black Times: A slower, brooding piece.
- World Alone: The album’s first single, delivering a brutal boogie.
- Beyond The Dead: A funereal, atmospheric march.
- Stormwatcher: An upbeat track driven by a superior riff and a standout solo.
- Death Wake: Features syncopated riffage and a guest lead break by Queen guitarist Brian May.
- Return Of The Arbalist: A gothic paean dedicated to medieval siege weapons.
For fans picking up the Deluxe CD edition, the release also tacks on instrumentals like “Scent Of Dark” and “Deified” originating from Iommi’s fragrances side project. However, the record closes out with “Legacy,” a standout track featuring a mournful bridge, Stargazer-inspired lyrics, an electric solo, and a brief detour into Spanish guitar.
Related reading: Jack Black’s Black Sabbath Tribute Band Joined by Geezer Butler for ‘War Pigs’, Peter Gabriel Announces New Album ‘o/i’, Completing Massive 25-Track Project, Tony Iommi Receives MBE at Windsor Castle and Drops New Single
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