BREAKING: Black Sabbath GUITARIST Tony Iommi C…read more.
After years of personal loss, health battles, and creative silence, Tony Iommi iconic guitarist and founding member of Black Sabbath has officially finished work on two solo albums. The news has electrified fans and reaffirmed that the “Godfather of Metal” is far from done.
The 77-year-old musician, whose riffs built the very foundation of heavy metal, confirmed on Monday that the albums titled “Shadow & Flame” and “Reflections of the Damned” are completed and ready for release later this year.
“It’s been a long road,” Iommi said. “There were moments I didn’t think these records would ever be finished. But they gave me something to live for. They kept me grounded when everything else was spinning.”
A New Chapter After the Storm
Iommi’s life in recent years has been marked by profound personal and professional transitions. Following Black Sabbath’s final tour in 2017, his cancer battle, and the passing of longtime bandmate Ozzy Osbourne, many wondered if he’d ever return to recording in a major way.
But as it turns out, Iommi never stopped writing. Music, he says, was the only language he could still fully trust when the world felt like it was falling apart.
“These songs were born in quiet moments at night, when it was just me and the guitar,” he said. “No pressure, no label, no expectations. Just emotion.”
Over time, those late-night ideas evolved into something more something he knew he had to share.
Two Sides of a Legend
Shadow & Flame, the first of the two records, is a deeply introspective and melodic album. It features haunting acoustic sections, orchestral arrangements, and some of Iommi’s most emotionally resonant guitar work to date.
“This one’s about grief, time, memory… all the stuff we usually hide from,” he explained. “But I needed to get it out.”
Reflections of the Damned, on the other hand, is classic Tony Iommi riff-heavy, dark, and thunderous. The record is described as a spiritual continuation of Sabbath’s doom-laden legacy, but with modern energy and textures.
“It’s the heavy side of me,” Iommi said with a grin. “When I crank the amp up, I still feel 25.”
Both albums feature guest appearances from longtime collaborators, including keyboardist Rick Wakeman, drummer Vinny Appice, and vocal contributions from a mix of emerging metal voices and rock veterans.
The Weight of Legacy and the Joy of Creation
Though he’ll always be associated with Black Sabbath, Iommi has made it clear that these albums are deeply personal and separate from the legacy of the band that made him famous.
“There’s no trying to chase the past here,” he said. “These songs came from where I am now, not where I used to be.”
Still, Sabbath fans will likely hear echoes of the band’s spirit across both projects especially in the heavy, slow-burning arrangements and dark lyrical themes.
Iommi says the creative process helped him navigate the emotional toll of losing close friends and confronting his own mortality.
“After Ozzy passed… I was lost,” he admitted. “I needed something to help me make sense of everything. And music has always been that thing for me.”
Looking Ahead, Not Back
While fans would love to see Iommi tour again, the guitarist is being realistic about his age and health. Instead, he’s planning a limited series of appearances perhaps a few intimate live shows, a documentary feature, and special album release events.
“There are no big world tours ahead of me,” he laughed. “But I’ve still got enough spark to turn up and play when it counts.”
The albums are set for release through Iommi’s own label, Ashes of Doom Records, with deluxe vinyl, streaming editions, and an exclusive box set in the works.
Gratitude and a Final Word
In closing, Iommi made sure to thank fans who have stood by him through every era from Sabbath’s early days to his solo ventures and personal battles.
“You’ve carried me all these years,” he said. “When things got dark, your messages, your letters, even your silence… they meant more than I can say.”
As the world braces to hear the first new solo music from Tony Iommi in over a decade, one thing is clear: the fire that started heavy metal still burns and it burns with purpose.
“I’m not here to relive the past,” Iommi said. “I’m here to finish what I started and maybe say something I’ve never said before.”
