Legendary Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has once again eased fans’ doubts about his long-awaited solo album, insisting it’s finally close to completion.
In a year-end video reflecting on his busy 2025, the 77-year-old icon confirmed the long-in-progress record is firmly set for release next year. Wrapping up the message, Iommi said: “And then, of course, in 2026. I shall have definitely, definitely my solo album out. And I’m really looking forward to that. I’m enjoying doing it, and it’s been great fun, and I really hope you enjoy it. But I’ll keep you more up to date as we go on, what’s happening with that and when it’s gonna be released.”
The announcement was part of a wider reflection on a busy year that saw Iommi involved in numerous musical and personal projects. Among the highlights, he pointed to the Tony Martin–era Black Sabbath reissue of Eternal Idol, along with an unexpected collaboration with pop star Robbie Williams on the song “Rocket.” What began as a track intended for an album release ultimately became a standalone single with an accompanying music video, a development Iommi said pleasantly surprised him.
Iommi also marked several major moments connected to his hometown of Birmingham. The original Black Sabbath lineup reunited to receive the Freedom Of The City honor, an occasion he described as deeply meaningful. That moment coincided with the city-wide “Summer Of Sabbath” celebrations, which turned Birmingham into what he called a full-fledged “Sabbath city.” The year continued with rehearsals and performances for the massive “Back To The Beginning” show at Villa Park, a charity-supported event featuring numerous bands.
Not everything in 2025 was celebratory. Iommi also addressed the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, who died just weeks after the Birmingham performance. He described the loss as “unfortunate and sad,” while paying tribute to Ozzy‘s immense legacy and influence.
Hints about the direction of Iommi’s long-awaited solo album had already emerged earlier in the year. During a July 8 appearance on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk,” he revealed that progress on the record briefly paused while preparations were underway for the Black Sabbath reunion show.
“Well, I was doing my own album until that event came up,” Iommi said at the time. “And then, of course, I had to stop and concentrate on the Sabbath performance. But I’m continuing next week on trying to finish off what I started with this album.”
He also shared new details about the album’s direction, suggesting it will be quite different from his 2000 solo effort Iommi, which relied heavily on guest vocalists.
“At the moment, no,” he said when asked if he planned a similar approach. “I’ve got one singer on it at the moment, which I originally thought of different singers. But it started off as it’s gonna be an instrumental album, and it’s gone from I’ve got some instrumental stuff, but then I thought, ‘Oh, I wanna try it with a singer.’ And so that’s what I’ve been doing.”
