Tony Iommi has opened up about two aspects of his new solo album From The Dark that he wasn’t entirely comfortable with.
The Black Sabbath guitarist discussed his reservations about filming a music video for the album. He also addressed his decision not to include acoustic recordings he had prepared.
“I didn’t want to do a video with all the band. I didn’t even really, to be honest, want to do a video. But they did it. It’s sort of like a movie … I appear a couple of times standing there playing,” Iommi said. “But I just didn’t want to go the old route of all the bands standing there playing and doing one of them. That’s been done a hundred times. I’m not really into doing videos myself anyway because I always look … I’m boring. I’m just standing there playing. Nothing else I can do. I can’t jump around or leap around or anything. I’m too old for that! But I think the guys that made it did a good job.”
On the subject of the acoustic recordings, Iommi explained why he ultimately chose to leave them off the final release.
“I did have a couple of acoustic things, but I’ve not used them. I thought I’d keep the album like it is. And not only that, it’s already quite long. We wouldn’t be able to fit them on,” he continued. “I like to do something you don’t really expect. And to be honest, I hate playing acoustic. I’m not very good at playing acoustic. But on that bit, I just thought it would be nice and different.”
Despite his personal reservations about both elements, Iommi acknowledged that the video turned out well. He confirmed that From The Dark remains his focus as it stands in its current form.
From The Dark marks Iommi’s return to solo work for the first time in over two decades. The album is scheduled for release on October 23, 2026, via BMG. It contains eight songs, with the lead single “World Alone” already available as a 7-inch alongside an instrumental B-side.
The record is Iommi’s first solo full-length since Fused in 2005. Supporting him on the album are Norwegian vocalist Jørn Lande, bassist Becky Baldwin, and drummer Karl Brazil.
Iommi and Brazil previously worked together on the 2024 single “Deified.” The chemistry built during that earlier session appears to have carried over into the making of From The Dark.
The album arrives following Black Sabbath’s farewell concert in 2024 and the subsequent passing of vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. Rather than stepping back, Iommi has chosen to push forward with one of the most anticipated heavy metal releases of 2026.
