Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi discussed his new album, ‘From the Dark,’ and explained why he worked with bassist Becky Baldwin instead of his former Sabbath bandmate Geezer Butler, speaking with Kerrang.
Iommi wanted to keep the project close to home in Birmingham and initially hoped to work with Butler. However, scheduling and logistical issues made that impossible. The guitarist also chose to work in a single location rather than exchange recordings remotely, which shaped his decision on who would join him.
“I could have got anyone, but it wanted to try and keep it Birmingham,” Iommi said. “I wanted Geezer originally to play on it, but he couldn’t do it. He was in LA, and he couldn’t get over at that time.”
“I didn’t want to send tapes out and record it there and then send it back and all that stuff. I wanted to be in one spot. I wanted it to be like a band situation. And I suppose if he’d played, people would have just gone, ‘Oh, it’s not Black Sabbath.’ Well, no, it’s not Black Sabbath.”
Iommi noted that he was not familiar with Baldwin at first but was impressed by her playing style and her knowledge of Butler’s work. He brought her in for the sessions, and the chemistry was immediate.
“I wasn’t familiar with her at first, but she’s really good,” he continued. “She’s a big fan of Geezer and his style of playing, and she plays finger-style stuff. I like that. So we got her over, and it all works well, you know. I mean, she was nervous at first, and I did throw her in the deep end. I played this song, and it all just worked. It was a great vibe with everyone, which was important.”
Iommi stressed that the album was simply a creative project he wanted to pursue, not a statement or an attempt to prove anything to anyone.
“I’m not trying to prove anything with this. It’s something that I just enjoyed doing.”
The comments came as Iommi discussed his new solo album, ‘From the Dark.’
From the Dark marks Iommi’s third solo album and his first in 21 years. His previous solo effort, Fused, arrived in 2005 and featured Glenn Hughes, while his first solo album, Iommi, came out in 2000. Iommi announced the new record in July 2026 and co-produced it with Mike Exeter, his long-time creative partner, co-writer and producer.
The connection with Baldwin came through Exeter, who had been following Baldwin’s work and her metal bass covers on YouTube. When Iommi needed a local bass player, Exeter suggested Baldwin. Baldwin, 35 years old, is known as a recent member of Danish metal band Mercyful Fate. Iommi told Baldwin she would return for another session, though she initially did not believe him, and the intention was always to have the same bassist for the entire album.
Throughout the album, Iommi is joined by Jorn Lande, who shares writing credits on every song, drummer Karl Brazil and Baldwin on bass. Brazil has worked with pop stars Robbie Williams and James Blunt. The project arrives one year after Black Sabbath’s farewell “Back To The Beginning” concert in Birmingham, which took place on July 5, 2025.
