ALBUM REVIEW: From The Dark – Tony Iommi
It’s been 25 years since the last full outing for TONY IOMMI as a solo musician. Save a few collaborations here and there, guesting twice on the late great OZZY OSBOURNE‘s final solo record. However, whenever one hears a track from IOMMI, the sound is instantly recognisable. His ability to turn a riff into a connecter to the primal receiver in the listener’s brain is nothing short of masterful. Despite his occasional appearances, the world has been sorely lacking a new complete work of fresh material from the man considered by many the progenitor of heavy metal guitar.
What is immediately apparent, even from a cursory glance is that IOMMI‘s playing has lost none of his trademark brooding potency. Over The Violent Sun swirls into life before it crashes in with a towering riff. The vocal stylings of Jørn Lande complement the music, delivering a bombastic traditional heavy metal style and soaring above the enthralling malevolence that is conjured from the guitar.
For a musician with such an illustrious career based on creating memorable riffs, it could be challenging for TONY IOMMI to step out of the pigeon holes of works previously created. An almost subconscious bias happens of whether they might achieve again. While, some moments might sound like they’d fit on a BLACK SABBATH record, Black Times and Beyond The Dead could easily have fit into the setlist of those times, there is zero recycling. Both these tracks and everything else presented on From The Dark sounds fresh and exciting. IOMMI has clearly not been idle in the last quarter of a century, however, for an album released after so long, it might have been the easy option to play it safe. Yet this album showcases his versatility beyond just a simple three chord chug. His flare and embellishment shine through and if anything, elevate his standing as a guitarist of great influence.
This is no mere flash in the pan, or attempt to stay relevant from a veteran musician. Every note, riff and solo has been considered and weighed to deliver the most powerful collective work. The band assembled featuring Becky Baldwin on bass, and Karl Brazil on drums each noted for their talents and impressive session CVs, have clearly been selected to help realise the vision and they absolutely do. Locking in to provide a stunning foundation and back-drop for the guitar work and vocals to have free reign, they come to the fore on tracks like World Alone, Stormwatcher and the colossal Return of The Arbalist. It’s no mean feat to make ones mark on a solo record for an icon, however, they deliver impressively.
While there are echoes of the many eras of his career, this new album truly stands on its own merit for original ideas. There is no rehashing of ideas or half-finished templates from days gone by. Yet, with such a recognisable tone and style, there are flashes that could suggest these songs would be right at home with anything IOMMI has previously put his name to. With an unmistakable air of individuality, it couldn’t be anyone else handling these riffs. Imposing and full of presence. IOMMI proves on From the Dark that there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Especially after the wheel you initially set in motion has proved to be flawless.
Rating: 9/10
From The Dark is out now via BMG.
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