Legendary Black Sabbath Guitarist Tony Iommi Vows New Solo Album In 2026

Truth be told, heavy metal wouldn’t exist without Tony Iommi. The man basically invented the genre by accident when he tuned down his guitar to ease the pain of his fingertips, and we’ve all been worshipping at the altar of the riff ever since. But if you’ve been a die-hard fan of Iommi, you know that patience isn’t just a virtue; it’s actually a requirement. We haven’t had a proper solo record from the Sabbath legend since 2005’s Fused. That’s over 20 years of waiting.

Tony Iommi: The Riff Lord Speaketh

But finally, the wait is almost over. In a New Year’s video message that felt less like a press release and more like a chat with an old friend, the guitar icon made it crystal clear. No more “maybe,” no more “I’m working on riffs.” We are getting a new album from Iommi in 2026.

A “Definitely, Definitely” Release Date

Iommi didn’t mince words this time around. In his year-end wrap-up, the 77-year-old axe legend looked straight into the camera and promised, “I shall have definitely, definitely my solo album out.” We definitely note the double “definitely.” That’s the kind of reassurance we need after years of teasing.

Iommi admitted that the project started as an instrumental endeavor—which we would have happily devoured—but it morphed along the way. “I wanna try it with a singer,” he realized, and admittedly, that’s the right call. The 2000 “Iommi” album was a guest-star extravaganza (Dave Grohl, Phil Anselmo, Billy Corgan), but this sounds different. It sounds focused.

While he’s keeping the vocalist’s identity under wraps, rumors are already flying. Geezer Butler let slip recently that Iommi is working with a “great singer from Sweden.” If it’s Messiah Marcolin or Mats Levén, the metal world might actually implode from pure joy. 

A Year of Triumph and Tragedy for Tony Iommi

You can’t talk about Iommi’s creative resurgence without acknowledging the absolute rollercoaster that was 2025. It was a year defined by the highest highs and the lowest lows for the Birmingham legend.

On one hand, we finally got the closure we deserved with the original Black Sabbath lineup reuniting for the “Back To The Beginning” show at Villa Park. Seeing Ozzy Osbourne, Iommi, Butler, and drummer Bill Ward together one last time was the kind of history-making moment you tell your grandkids about. It was a triumphant moment for the band that started it all.

Then the universe delivered a horrid gut punch. Just weeks after that final bow, the music world lost Osbourne, a giant of the industry. Iommi touched on this in his video, and you could feel the weight of it. Calling it “unfortunate and sad” feels like an understatement, but Iommi has been the stoic backbone of the band. Losing his musical soulmate right after their final victory is a script even Hollywood would reject for being too cruel. This adds a layer of emotional complexity to this upcoming solo record. In a way, this new album isn’t just a continuation of his career; it’s the start of a chapter where he carries the torch alone.

Unexpected Collaborations and Looking Forward

If you had “Tony Iommi collaborates with Robbie Williams” on your 2025 bingo card, you are a liar. But that’s exactly what happened with the track “Rocket.” It was a weird and wonderful collision of worlds that proved Iommi isn’t interested in just playing the hits—he’s still curious.

Iommi also gave some love to the Tony Martin era with the “Eternal Idol” reissue, reminding everyone that Sabbath’s history is deeper than just the Ozzy and Dio years. It’s clear that Iommi is in a reflective but productive headspace. He’s looking back at his legacy while actively building on it.

So, here is where we stand: we have a new album confirmed by Iommi for 2026. We have a mystery Swedish singer. The Riff Lord himself is sounding energized and having “great fun” in the studio. After the heartbreak of losing Ozzy, this is the news the metal community needed. The 2026 album can’t get here fast enough.