I can probably count on at most two hands the number of bits of music news that have made me literally kick my chair out from under me and happy dance around my office/studio. The latest news came today: Tony Iommi announced he will release his next solo album, From the Dark.
It wasn’t just the news that Iommi is putting out a new solo album that got me amped up. He’s done that already. It was the announcement that his collaborator and lead vocalist is none other than Norwegian metal vocalist Jorn Lande. That’s right. JORN MOTHERFUCKING LANDE!
I bet there’s a ton of smartasses that are reading this and will probably comment with “who?” Do your fucking homework before you say something dumb. Jorn Lande is a heavy metal treasure that all should be aware of. Lande has worked with members of Helloween, did a series of duet albums with Symphony X vocalist Russell Allen, and has had a very successful career as a solo artist. Not reaching much more than cult status in the States, all of that could’ve changed, in my opinion, with one move that never happened.
In 2010, after Ronnie James Dio’s horrible cancer diagnosis, Jorn (who is a friend of the Sabbath guys and Ronnie himself) was asked if he would be willing to step in for Ronnie for the remaining Heaven and Hell tour dates.
Lande was put on retainer for Dio’s remaining shows, and the plan was for him to step in to handle parts of the show to give Dio a break, but instead all remaining shows were canceled, and Dio soon after passed away.
I interviewed Lande in 2016 when he was promoting his Heavy Rock Radio I album and asked him about it.
“When Ronnie was sick, I was asked to do some shows that they had already booked. I never really asked anybody in the camp this question but as far as I know, it was Ronnie’s decision that he wanted to go through with the shows regardless of his treatment. When Ronnie got weak and got into a really bad shape, the band discussed the possibilities of doing if not all the shows, some of them. They asked me if I would be up for it to do some songs and then Ronnie would be on stage to sing some songs so we would just go back and forth, just so they could make the shows happen. A few weeks later, I got the message that Ronnie had passed. It was kind of strange and thinking back now, I’m honored that I was asked at the time. Don, you are actually the first person I’m ever telling this to.”
In my opinion, and I will die on that hill, Iommi and Co really fucked up by running back to Ozzy. We ended up getting a really shitty Sabbath album and some of the dullest, uninspired live shows they could’ve delivered. Everything about it stank of “show me the money.”
I really hoped that Heaven and Hell would’ve continued as an entity with Lande at the mic. It may not have been a huge success like the Sabbath thing was, but I can guarantee that it would’ve been creatively superior. To me, it was one of the most unfortunate moments in metal history that we would’ve never gotten to see that be a thing. Well, on this day, July 29, 2026, I kicked my chair out from under me and happy danced at the news of the union of Iommi and Lande.
Earlier today (Wednesday, July 29), Lande took to his social media to write:
“Finally the cat is out of the bag! After nearly 2 years in the making, I’m extremely happy to see my friend Tony‘s solo album ‘From The Dark’ hitting the stores! I am extremely proud to have been co-writing and singing on this album! Thank you my friend, for the challenge and experience, it is an absolute honour to work with you!
A big thank you to producer Mike Exeter, for baring over with my pickiness and bringing out the best in me, and to Ben and Ralph Baker for navigating everything brilliantly!
I also want to give praise to our fellow musicians on the album, Becky Baldwin (MERCYFUL FATE) and Karl Brazil (Robbie Williams),you guys nailed it and better players can’t be found!
All songs are written and composed by the Striking Viking and the most powerful and legendary Brummie in existence! I am humbled and very grateful for having the opportunity to put my mark on this great album, for a rock singer it can’t get more significant than this!
First single and video ‘World Alone’ out now, hope you all like it as much as we do, be prepared to rock!”
“From The Dark” will be available in several deluxe vinyl and CD formats. The double LP edition will be manufactured in four colors, available from different retailers. Cut at 45rpm on double vinyl for optimum dynamic range, the deluxe, gatefold package is premium black card with a die-cut of Tony’s signature cross that holds beneath a suitably dark and detailed, illustrative journey across the album. Part visible in situ, with the full image revealed as the inner sleeve is drawn out. There will also be a CD Amazon exclusive that has the same die-cut sleeve and a deluxe 32-page CD media book edition that includes two bonus tracks.
No news on whether a tour will manifest from this but I have already reserved one of my kidneys to sell to make it to the closest show to me that will occur if it does. I can’t even begin to imaging how fucking epic of a tour that would be. Keep those fingers and toes crossed, kids.
Deluxe CD
- Over The Violent Sun
- Black Times
- World Alone
- Beyond The Dead
- Stormwatcher
- Death Wake
- Return Of The Arbalist
- Legacy
- Scent Of Dark (exclusive bonus track)
- Deified (extended version) (exclusive bonus track)
Vinyl
Side A
- Over The Violent Sun
- Black Times
Side B
- World Alone
- Beyond The Dead
Side C
- Stormwatcher
- Death Wake
Side D
- Return Of The Arbalist
- Legacy
About The Author
