BREAKING: Black Sabbath GUITARIST Tony Iommi C… read more.
Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian has opened up about his long-held fascination with Black Sabbath icon Tony Iommi’s legendary guitar tone and the common misconceptions surrounding the metal pioneer’s playing style. In a recent interview, Ian discussed his early attempts to replicate Iommi’s iconic dark, heavy sound, only to discover that the secret wasn’t in the gear but in the man himself.
“I gave it a shot… but it didn’t work,” Ian admitted with a laugh, recalling his youthful efforts to mimic Iommi’s tone by using similar equipment. “I thought, ‘Well, he plays a Gibson SG through a Laney amp, so that must be it.’ But when I plugged in, it just wasn’t the same.”
According to Ian, the essence of Iommi’s sound lies in his unique touch and technique not just the tools he uses. He noted that many players underestimate how much of a musician’s tone comes directly from their fingers. “Tony’s sound is in his hands,” Ian explained. “It’s the way he plays, the way he frets notes, and even the way he bends strings.”
He also addressed a widespread misconception about Iommi’s style that he plays slowly or relies heavily on doom-laden riffs. Ian was quick to dispel that notion. “People think he just plays slow, heavy stuff, but listen closely there’s groove, there’s swing, and there’s even some fast, intricate stuff. Tony’s rhythm playing is so underrated.”
Iommi’s influence on generations of guitarists including Ian is undeniable. From founding heavy metal with Black Sabbath to continuing to inspire musicians decades later, his contributions remain monumental. Ian credits Iommi’s fearless originality and unwavering commitment to tone as a major influence on his own playing with Anthrax.
“Tony made me realize that heaviness isn’t just about distortion or speed. It’s about conviction,” Ian said. “When he hits a chord, you feel it in your chest. That’s something you can’t teach.”
As the metal community continues to revere Iommi’s legacy, Scott Ian’s reflections serve as a heartfelt reminder that true tone isn’t bought it’s born from individuality, instinct, and decades of mastery.
