BREAKING: Black Sabbath GUITARIST Tony Iommi Ca…read more.
Guitar icon Tony Iommi has announced he’s shelving two completed solo albums, citing deep emotional pain following the death of his longtime bandmate and close friend, Ozzy Osbourne.
The Black Sabbath co-founder had been quietly working on two contrasting records one heavy and ominous, the other softer and more reflective. Both were reportedly near completion, but Iommi says he no longer has the heart to release them.
“Without Ozzy, everything feels different,” he shared in a recent interview. “The joy I used to feel from music is just… gone. I can’t pretend I’m in the same place.”
Music Interrupted by Grief
The projects, Iron Shadows and Fragments of Forever, had been years in the making. One was intended to channel the classic doom and intensity of Sabbath, while the other offered more melodic, emotional tones with acoustic textures.
But in the aftermath of Osbourne’s passing, Iommi found himself unable to return to the studio or listen to the tracks without being overwhelmed by sadness.
“I tried to go back in, to finish the mixes,” he said. “But I’d just sit there, staring at the wall. I couldn’t connect to the music anymore.”
A Loss That Changed Everything
The partnership between Iommi and Osbourne wasn’t just musical it was personal and deeply rooted. From their teenage days in Birmingham to global superstardom, the two navigated decades of creative highs and personal turmoil together.
“We went through it all,” Iommi reflected. “Fame, fights, breakdowns, breakups… but we always found our way back to each other.”
Their final years saw a rekindled friendship, with Iommi often visiting Ozzy during his health battles, sharing stories and laughs from their early days.
“He always had that spark,” Iommi said. “Even near the end, he’d make me laugh. I miss that so much.”
Albums on Hold—Possibly Forever
Though fans had eagerly anticipated Iommi’s return to solo work, the guitarist says the recordings have been put away and may never be released.
“I’ve put the tapes aside,” he said. “They might stay locked up. Right now, I can’t imagine ever wanting to listen to them again.”
He emphasized that the emotional core of the records his memories, his thoughts, his life were closely tied to Ozzy’s presence. Without him, the music feels incomplete.
Support From Fans Worldwide
News of Iommi’s decision has resonated with fans, many of whom have expressed heartfelt support on social media. Messages have poured in, acknowledging the loss and thanking Iommi for decades of groundbreaking music.
“I grew up on Sabbath,” one fan wrote. “Tony doesn’t owe us anything. Let him grieve. Let him rest.” Another added, “This shows just how real and deep their bond was.”
Remembering Ozzy
For Iommi, the pain of losing Ozzy is more than professional it’s deeply personal.
“People talk about Ozzy the legend,” he said. “But I remember him as my mate. The bloke who’d drive you mad and make you laugh all in the same breath. It’s strange waking up in a world where he’s not around anymore.”
Iommi said the silence in his studio is now deafening. He still picks up the guitar, but the spark is no longer there.
A Break, Not an End
Although Iommi has paused the album releases, he hasn’t ruled out returning to music someday. But it will take time, healing, and perhaps a new reason to create.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” he admitted. “Maybe one day I’ll feel inspired again. Maybe not. But right now, I need space to grieve. To remember.”
For now, the riffs are on hold. The amplifiers are off. And one of metal’s founding fathers is taking a moment to honor the man he called a brother.
“Ozzy was wild, wonderful, and full of heart,” Iommi said quietly. “There’s no replacing that.”
