Tony Iommi Explains Why He Declined Andrew Watt Proposal for Black Sabbath Original Lineup Album
Coverage on Black Sabbath reunion discussions and Tony Iommis solo updates
Producer Pitch and Boarding Decisions
In a feature with Classic Rock magazine, legendary guitarist Tony Iommi shared details regarding a proposal from record producer Andrew Watt. Watt, who produced Ozzy Osbournes solo releases Ordinary Man (2020) and Patient Number 9 (2022) approached Iommi in the 2020s about crafting a studio successor to 2013s 13 featuring all four founding members of Black Sabbath.
Reflecting on their interaction Iommi noted that while meeting Watt during his work with Osbourne showed the producer was extremely enthusiastic the concept did not fit what Iommi envisioned for the group. Iommi explained that Watt did not have experience working directly with the Black Sabbath lineup, including drummer Bill Ward. Additionally Iommi felt that having already completed 13 he was not drawn to the idea of making another record.
Context Around Black Sabbath Releases & Reunion
'13': Served as a reunion project for Iommi bassist Geezer Butler. Vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, featuring Brad Wilk on drums after Bill Ward departed in 2012 over contractual disputes.
'The End': Featured remaining studio tracks from the 13 sessions alongside recordings from 2013 and 2014.
Bill Ward re-joined Iommi, Butler and Osbourne on stage for the monumental Back to the Beginning farewell event.
Following feelings among the four members about recording new music together Osbourne passed away weeks after Back to the Beginning marking the end of future recording possibilities for the quartet.
Tony Iommis Solo Release: 'From the Dark'
In an interview with Chuck Armstrong on Loudwire Nights Iommi also detailed work on his solo album From the Dark, which marks his solo studio effort since 2005s Fused. Iommi mentioned that the recording process was pressure and enjoyable with ideas coming together naturally during sessions.
Initially conceptualized as a project Iommi decided to incorporate a vocalist immediately choosing Jorn Lande due to their prior collaborations. The recording lineup features bassist Becky. Drummer Karl Brazil—both based in Birmingham—alongside Lande, who traveled over from Sweden to record.
During the conversation Iommi shared a memory of his conversation with Ozzy Osbourne the night before Osbourne passed away recalling that Osbourne expressed feeling worn out after the stress of the Back, to the Beginning event.
