tony iommi | Outsider Rock

Yesterday BLACK SABBATH’s Tony Iommi released the news of his brand new solo album, From The Dark, as well as the first video/single from it “World Alone”. The album is due out October 23rd, and will be Iommi’s first solo release in 21 years, and first set of new songs since Black Sabbath’s “13”.

You can read the announcement and info at: https://www.iommi.com/from-the-dark-album-announced/

Iommi also did a live interview with the announcement:

This album features the powerful voice of Norwegian singer Jorn Lande. Now, Jorn is a huge name in the heavy metal world, especially in Europe. This guy has loads of albums released under his own name, as well as bands he’s been part of, collaborations, and appearances! I don’t have near the majority of what Jorn’s been apart of, but I do have a number of albums (CDs), he’s released or been a part of…..

Starfire – Jorn’s first solo album, released on Frontiers in 2000. Ten tracks, 5 covers & 5 originals. The covers are excellent, and interesting choices, such as City Boy’s “The Day The Earth Caught Fire”, Foreigner’s “Break It Up”, and Jefferson Starship’s “Just The Same”. Among the originals here, the title track (and opener) is a standout. And the ballad “Forever Yours” is decent. A good mix of songs. I played the heck out of this when i got it. tore

Millenium ‘Hourglass‘ – also released in 2000. Millenium was a US hard rock/power metal band, and for whatever reason Jorn co-wrote and sang on this – the band’s 2nd album. The title track is a powerful track, and the ballad “I Will Follow” is excellent, should’ve been a hit. Sounds a bit like Helloween at times, but with more harmonies and a bit of aor, which is interesting as Jorn also did a few albums with former Helloween members in Masterplan.

Ken Hensley ‘Blood On The Highway‘ – This was a story based (autobiographical?) album from Uriah Heep’s original keyboard player (and major songwriter). Jorn sings on more than half of this, as well as is featured in the live show (on DVD) to promote it. Check out “This Is Just The Beginning”, “Okay (This House Is Down)’, as well as his live take of “Easy Livin”. Glenn Hughes and John Lawton also sang on this album. On a side note, Jorn’s also released a live clip of Heep’s “Too Scared To Run” in 2022. (Here’s hoping his version is inckuded on his next solo album!)

Dio (a tribute) – from 2010. This tribute to Ronnie James Dio was put together not too long following Dio’s passing. The lead off track “Song For Ronnie James” was released just 5 days after he passed. This is a great set of Dio covers, which includes songs from Rainbow and Black Sabbath. A few medlies as well. Sounds heavy, well produced and though this is a ‘tribute’, these songs really seem to fit his vocals. Great performances of “Don’t Talk To Strangers” and “Lonely Is The Word / Letters From Earth”. Jorn would appear as a guest vocalist with ‘Heaven And Hell’ when they finished up concert dates following RJD’s death.

Lande & Holter ‘Dracula: Swing Of Death‘ – from 2015. A collaboration with his long time guitar player Trond Holter. A dark, heavy, rock opera based around the story of Dracula. Some excellent songs and performances here, such as “Walking On Water”, “Queen Of The Dead”, as well as the theatrical “Swing Of Death”. Some great backing and lead vocals also on this record from Lena Fløitmoen.

Jorn Lande has done a number of albums consisting of covers, as well guesting with Avantasia and with Ayreon, was part of The Snakes with Airey, Moody and Marsden (credited as Johnny Lande), as well as series of albums with American singer Russell Allen.

https://jornlande.com

https://www.frontiers.it/artist/364

https://www.facebook.com/tonyiomm

https://www.facebook.com/OFFICIALJORN

https://www.instagram.com/jornofficialmusic

Jorn

Tony Martin joined Black Sabbath in 1987 for The Eternal Idol album, replacing Ray Gillen. Gillen went on to Badlands with Jake E Lee, but not before working on an album that would become The Eternal Idol. Martin would go on to sing & write on 4 further Sabbath albums, with a break when the band reunited for 1992’s Dehumanizer album with Dio. During Tony Martin’s era, there were a few line-up changes, and though it wasn’t a huge commercial successful period for the band (at least not in North America), many Sabbath fans enjoyed this era. Unfortunately, it didn’t end on a high note, and these albums have become harder to find on CD & LP! The era has also been brushed aside by some as the band carried on with a reunion of the original line-up (with and without Bill Ward), as well as a further reunion with Dio (as Heaven & Hell). And with all the reissues, box sets, etc.. that have been coming out steady over the past several years from the bands Ozzy and Dio eras, a Tony Martin set of proper reissues is long overdue, and are (hopefully) going to happen this year! (see article link below). Tony Martin also released an excellent solo album in 2022 titled Thorns. Below is a list of 10 great tracks from the Black Sabbath albums with Tony Martin. *check out the links below

The Shining

The first song and single from The Eternal Idol, a Sabbath classic. Written before Tony Martin joined. His writing contributions would begin on the next album. The Eternal Idol featured a number of players, notably Bob Daisley (who would co-write a lot of the lyrics), Eric Singer, Bev Bevan, and longtime Sabbath member Geoff Nichols (RIP). A lot of good tracks on this album!

Devil & Daughter

Headless Cross came out in ’89, co-produced by Iommi and new drummer Cozy Powell! The line-up on record also included Nichols, and bass player Laurence Cottle. A bit of a different approach in production, with space left between guitar for vocals, often at times over top of keys. But plenty of good songs on this one, all credited to Black Sabbath. “Devil & Daughter” is my favorite track here, and was also the single — a one-sided single (credited to Iommi, Powell and Martin).

When Death Calls

Also from Headless Cross, This is classic dark and evil sounding Sabbath. Highlighted by a Brian May guitar solo,

Nightwing

The last track on Headless Cross. Although this is solid heavy album, it does feature some different approaches, such as this ballad, featuring plenty of acoustic guitar, a few changes in pace, and a great vocal.

Anno Mundi

Opening 1990’s TYR album with acoustic guitar and light choir vocals before Tony Martin’s voice comes in and eventually the band kick in for a killer track. The song comes back to the acoustic guitar with organ and harmony accompaniment. I gotta say, this is the dark horse in the Black Sabbath catalogue for me. I never really got in to it when it came out, but over the years this has grown on me more than any other Sabbath record. Great album, making it difficult to just pick few tracks here. Love the cover art as well.

Jerusalem

Another great rocker from TYR! This would’ve made a great single; love the production on this album. Neil Murray on bass!

I Witness

And here we get to my favorite album from the Tony Martin period. As much as I loved the first Dio era, I wasn’t a fan of Dehumanizer, so for me, it was a shame to have that break with Tony Martin because Cross Purposes (IMO) is a fantastic album, and I played the crap out of this when it came out in ’94. This one saw Geezer Butler still with to the band (after Dehumanizer), as well featured new drummer Bobby Rondinelli. Anyway, “I Witness” revs up and kicks in, a great driving rocker and opener.

Cross Of Thorns

Well, probably my favorite track from this era. Again, something a bit different with the quieter acoustic / vocal beginning, before the heavy build up, and returning softer verses. Dig the build up to Iommi’s solo, and an awesome song for Tony Martin’s vocals. This would’ve made a fantastic single, a shame as there appears to have been no commercial single from this album.

Hand That Rocks The Cradle

Another killer track from Cross Purposes that begins softly with acoustic guitar and keyboard before the band kicks in. Lots of light and shade on this track and album, and I feel Tony Martin’s best contributions (writing and vocally). Pretty decent album cover to boot.

Rusty Angels

So, Geezer Butler leaves to join Ozzy (briefly), making way for Neil Murray to return, and Cozy Powell returns on drums. But, not sure who was steering the ship here as Body Count (Ice T) guitarist Ernie Cunnigan is brought in to produce Forbidden. WTF!? I’ve never given this album much play, probably due to that rap connection, but hearing it now, it’s not all that bad! I picked “Rusty Angels” here, a pretty straight forward rocker, with a good chorus. Forbidden would be the last to feature Tony Martin, Geoff Nichols, Neil Murray, and Cozy Powell (RIP).