Tony Iommi hoped to bring a mini Black Sabbath reunion to his solo album From the Dark. He wanted bassist Geezer Butler to play on the record. Butler couldn’t make it, Iommi says. He was tied up with his own projects and couldn’t come to England.
Iommi hired Becky Baldwin to play bass instead. “She lives in Birmingham and she’s a really good player,” he says. Baldwin is a fan of Geezer and plays in a similar style, which is what Iommi wanted.
Queen’s Brian May guests on the album. He plays the solo on the song “Death Wake.” Iommi calls May a very close friend.
From the Dark is due Oct. 23. The lead single, “World Alone,” is out now.
Iommi and Butler last played with Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward at the 2025 Back to the Beginning concert. Ozzy died a little over two weeks after that show.
