Guitarists who want to get their hands dirty with the newest riff from a heavy metal founding father now have a way in. Gibson has added Tony Iommi‘s new single “World Alone” to its Gibson App, turning the track into an interactive lesson players can work through at their own pace.
The lesson went live in step with the single’s worldwide release through BMG. Built around specially created in-app arrangements, it’s offered across several difficulty tiers, a setup that gives beginners a manageable entry point while leaving room for seasoned players to dig into the phrasing, tone and detail of Iommi‘s riffs. The app is available on both iOS and Android.
For fans, the appeal is obvious: a direct route into one of rock’s most recognizable guitar styles, straight from the source. Iommi, the founding guitarist of Black Sabbath, is widely credited with shaping the sound and vocabulary of heavy metal itself, and “World Alone” carries that signature stamp, a heavy, riff-driven charge topped by the commanding vocals of Norwegian singer Jorn Lande.
The song is the first single from From The Dark, Iommi‘s forthcoming solo album, due October 23 via BMG. The record marks his first solo outing in 21 years and features the guitarist alongside Lande, bassist Becky Baldwin and drummer Karl Brazil, with Iommi co-producing next to his longtime creative partner Mike Exeter.
Speaking about the album, Iommi kept it characteristically low-key: “It’s an album we’ve really enjoyed making. We’re not trying to prove anything – it’s a great album, it rocks!”
Beyond the app, “World Alone” is also getting a physical release. A limited-edition seven-inch single, backed with an instrumental version and housed in a foiled sleeve, is set to arrive on September 4.
Gibson is also running a tie-in offer alongside the launch: customers who buy any Gibson, Epiphone or Kramer guitar, or a MESA/Boogie amplifier, through Gibson.com or at the Gibson Garage Nashville will receive three months of Gibson App Premium at no cost. The app works with any guitar, regardless of brand or skill level.
