Jorn Lande co-wrote all eight songs on Tony Iommi‘s first solo album in 21 years, out October 23 through BMG.
Jorn Lande is not a guest vocalist on From The Dark. He has a writing credit on every song, and by his account the traffic went both ways in the room.
Speaking to Ten Tons Of Tone about his work on Tony Iommi‘s album, the Norwegian singer described a process with no template attached to it.
“I didn’t have any strategies going in, or a different approach, really. [I] just went in as myself and with a very strong desire to give it my very best effort. My only focus was to naturally create the best possible vocal melodies to go with Tony‘s guitar riffs and arrangements, and the fact that I could take the time necessary was essential to the end result. There was never a plan to fit a certain ‘style’ or direction. It came about naturally between two musicians with mutual respect for each other,” Lande said.
Then the detail that says most about how the record was built: “Of course, when working with Tony, his music naturally pulls you creatively into a darker and deeper mode for melodies and lyrics. Sometimes Tony would change his riffs to fit my melodies; other times I altered my melodies to fit his changes to riffs and musical structures.”
From The Dark arrives October 23 through BMG. Iommi announced it on July 29 at a streaming event in Birmingham, a short walk from the Black Sabbath Bridge that the city dedicated to the band in 2019, premiering “World Alone” as the first single. It is his third solo album and his first since Fused in 2005, his last full-length of any kind was Black Sabbath‘s 13 in 2013.
Rounding out the band are bassist Becky Baldwin, who joined Danish veterans Mercyful Fate and also plays in Fury, and drummer Karl Brazil, whose CV runs through Robbie Williams and James Blunt. Iommi co-produced with Mike Exeter, his engineer and writing partner of many years, who also contributed keyboards.
Iommi‘s own summary was brief: “It’s an album we’ve really enjoyed making. We’re not trying to prove anything – it’s a great album, it rocks!”
The physical editions have been given some thought. The double LP is cut at 45rpm across four sides and pressed in four colours split between retailers, housed in a gatefold of premium black card with a die-cut of Iommi‘s cross through the front, so the illustration underneath is only partly visible until the inner sleeve is pulled out. An Amazon-exclusive CD uses the same die-cut sleeve, and a 32-page mediabook adds two extra tracks. Those two are not new: “Scent Of Dark” came out in 2022 and “Deified” in 2024, both released as standalone songs tied to Iommi‘s fragrances, with the latter appearing here in an extended version.
The pairing has history. Lande sang with Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice at High Voltage in Victoria Park, London in July 2010, a set staged in memory of Ronnie James Dio, who had died two months earlier. Glenn Hughes shared vocal duties that night, which turned out to be the last Heaven & Hell show. Lande, now 58, released his own Dio tribute record the same year.
On July 29, Lande issued a statement on social media celebrating the announcement of the LP and the release of “its lead single, “”World Alone“, while praising his studio collaborators:
“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 Drummer (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!”
A Grammy Award winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Iommi was recently awarded an MBE in June 2026, adding to honors such as the Freedom of the City of Birmingham, a Lord Mayor’s Award, and a doctorate from Coventry University.
Tony Iommi “From The Dark” track listing:
- “Over The Violent Sun”
- “Black Times”
- “World Alone”
- “Beyond The Dead”
- “Stormwatcher”
- “Death Wake”
- “Return Of The Arbalist”
- “Legacy”
- “Scent Of Dark” (mediabook bonus track)
- “Deified” (extended version, mediabook bonus track)
