U.K.-based bassist Becky Baldwin has shared her first public statement about her role on Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi’s upcoming solo album, From The Dark.
Baldwin opened up about the experience of joining Iommi’s new project. She revealed the nerves she felt during her first recording session and expressed pride in being part of the album alongside drummer Karl Brazil and vocalist Jorn Lande.
“It’s been tough keeping this quiet, but I’m sure that now most of you have now seen this news!” Baldwin said. “I’ve been working on an album with the creator of heavy metal, the riff master himself, Mr Tony Iommi.”
“And yesterday, we dropped the first single from that album, finally unleashing the brand new line up that also features the brilliant Karl Brazil on drums and the absolutely mind blowing vocal talent of Jorn Lande,” she continued. “The single ‘World Alone’ can be streamed now, and pre-orders for both this single on 7″ vinyl and the album ‘From The Dark’ are now live.”
Baldwin also reflected on the moment a photo was taken with Iommi at the end of their very first session together. She recalled just how uncertain she felt about her place in the project.
“This photo was taken at the end of our first recording session, on the day we met,” she said. “I still couldn’t believe that this great honour could be real, and I was so nervous recording in front of Tony on his song with no preparation, that I was sure they’d look for another bass player once I left the room. I asked ‘Could we get a quick photo together, in case I never see you again?’ Tony just laughed and said ‘You’ll be back here in two weeks for the next session!’ But he granted my request. And I still didn’t really believe him.”
She went on to describe how the project unfolded over the following months, culminating in the completion of the album’s bass tracks.
“But fast forward 8 months and here we are, the nerves faded and I did get to record the rest of the bass tracks for Tony’s incredible album,” Baldwin said. “I am so proud to be a part of this, and we’re so thrilled with the results working with producer Mike Exeter. I’ve heard the final mixes, I know the rest of the album is coming out in October. I have to believe it’s all real now.”
“Thank you everyone for the hundreds of excited messages yesterday while we celebrated the ‘World Alone’ single,” she added. “Thank you Tony, the band and team for your amazing work and keeping this story of heavy metal greatness going, with humble authenticity, devotion and respect.”
From The Dark is scheduled for release on October 23 via BMG. It marks Iommi’s first solo album in over two decades — his previous solo effort, Fused, came out in 2005. The 21-year gap between records makes the project one of the most anticipated heavy metal releases of the year.
The lead single World Alone received a high-profile launch. It premiered during a special global streaming event held in Birmingham, England, near the iconic Black Sabbath Bridge — a fitting location for a record rooted so deeply in the city’s heavy metal legacy.
The album features eight tracks in total. The standard edition runs from Over The Violent Sun through to the closing track Legacy. The CD edition includes two bonus tracks, Scent of Dark and Deified, offering additional material for collectors and dedicated fans.
Producer Mike Exeter, who Baldwin credited in her statement, has a long-standing working relationship with Iommi. He previously collaborated with him on Black Sabbath’s final studio album, 13, released in 2013. His involvement brings a sense of continuity to the project, connecting From The Dark to the final chapter of Black Sabbath’s studio output.
