Iommi

Tony Iommi

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 17, 2000)
• Original Release Date: October 17, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Priority Records
• ASIN: B00004XR1P
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #59,367 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A diverse cast of characters helped create this impressive, four-years-in-the-works solo debut from legendary Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi. The vintage ultra-heavy Sabbath musicality gives the disc a cohesiveness despite the variety of voices and lyrics penned by 10 different singers. Skin (of Skunk Anansie) has a lovely, precise delivery that contrasts with the dirgelike feel of "Meat," while Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl turns in a performance that mixes the Foos, Nine Inch Nails, and Sabbath on "Goodbye Lament." Ian Astbury's dramatic vocals on "Flame On" are especially suited to the material, which in this case sounds like Danzig. Also perfect for the portentous vibe is Billy Idol, whose sensual snarl and trademark "yow!" on "Into the Night" is a highlight, despite lame lyrics. A few singers miss the mark: Type O Negative's Peter Steele's deep bass out-Goths the material and Henry Rollins sounds silly. But Iommi's stellar strategic solos (at times they achieve a Jimmy Page-like mysticism) and retro Sabbath stylings make Iommi a must-listen for old-school metal mongers. Black light posters optional. --Katherine Turman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Triumphant Return ..., October 17, 2000

By	James Crouch (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews

The long awaited solo effort from the heavy metal riffmaster Tony Iommi is here at last. And was it ever worth the wait. Not that Tony Iommi had gone anywhere, but in the years before his reunion with the almighty original lineup of Black Sabbath, he didn't exactly enhance his legacy with a string of Black Sabbath albums in the late 80's and early 90's that simply were not up to the lofty standards set by the group's earlier material. Tony Iommi introduced a completely new guitar style tuning lower and playing louder than anyone before him had ever dared. Tony has created some of the most memorable riffs in the history of heavy music. His influence is felt far and wide, as seen by the wide range of performers that appear on Iommi. From the first chord of the first track (which features Henry Rollins on vocals) it is apparent that Tony means business on an album that many people feel is an indicator of the future direction of his career. This album is a showcase for Tony's many talents, including his unquestionable songwriting abilities, as well as his ability to work in guitar solos that add to the song rather than overpower it. Tony does an excellent job of playing to each guest vocalist's stregnths, complimenting their talents rather than overshadowing them. Not being much of a Foo Fighters fan, I expected little from Dave Grohl, but what I found was a very good and inspired performance. Time is Mine, which features Pantera's Phil Anselmo on vocals, shows that Tony is not afraid to update his sound for a new era of music, while staying true true to the qualties that make him a living legend. Who's Fooling Who, which features Ozzy Osbourne(who is, in my opinion the single most influential figure in the history of heavy metal) on vocals and Bill Ward on drums, is an incredible track which shares some similarites with the studio Sabbath material on Reunion, and serves to show how Sabbath might have sounded if they continued to record in the studio after the Reunion tour. Serj Tankian from System of a Down also gives an excellent performance on Patterns, showcasing alot of vocal range and depth. The blending of the styles of the guest vocalists on this album makes the transition between tracks smooth, led by Tony's guitar wizardry. I applaud Divine Recordings, a newly created label headed by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne for having confidence in Tony and helping this project come to being.

The bottom line is this: Iommi is a magnificent showcase of the talents of the man that invented the art of heavy metal guitar playing, with excellent songwriting, masterful riffs, and deftly woven solos that show why Tony Iommi is one of the most influential guitarists who has ever lived.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heavy Metal Lives!!, October 19, 2000

By	Chris Francke (Black Sabbath Land!) - See all my reviews

Well, just when everybody said heavy metal (the good stuff, not Sliknot...ick) was dead, here comes Tony Iommi, the Godfather, the Originator, THE first true heavy metal guitarist of the first true Heavy Metal band (forget Page). Black Sabbath fans rejoice, this is Sabbath version 2 (Yes, I know the band has changed 8 kazillion times). What I mean is, Tony's extremely dark riffs are there in all their gloom, but his guitar playing has evolved way beyond his most famous stuff with Black Sabbath. The whole album is like this: early 70s Sabbath riffs + Modern faster riffs + cool solos + modern vocals and drums=Tony Iommi! This album also features a host of extremely famous singers, including Henry Rollins, Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, The cool singer from System of a Down (not that I like the band), Billy Corgan, Billy Idol, and...yes, folks...OZZY OSBOURNE!!! YES!! THE OZZMAN COMETH!! Though this may not be a good thing. Those who thought his voice was weird in his classic stuff should prepare for a bombardment of Ozzy gone bizarre....Interesting though, Original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward plays drums on that song ("Who's Fooling Who")...Also, Brian May, famed guitarist of Queen plays 2nd guitar on some songs. Here is my breakdown of the songs (the ones I like best) Laughing Man (In the Devil Mask)-with Henry Rollins, this is a fast, harsh song, with a -gasp-fast solo! Meat-Incredibly heavy riffs, interesting singer (Skin) Goodbye Lament-catchy song with the Foo Fighters guy Patterns-With Serj Tankian of System of a Down, VERY cool singer, very cool song! More heavy riffing, semi-chanted lyrics Black Oblivion-long epic song with Billy Corgan, very fantasy-like. Who's Fooling Who-WITH OZZY!! Need I say more? Into the Night-Another fantasy metal adventure....hehe, with Billy Idol of all people. Also has an un-Iommi like fast solo

Anyway, those disappointed with the current crop of new Hard Metal bands, or Metallica's last two new albums (Load, ReLoad), or Black Sabbath fans would really like this, highly recommended. Also, Tony Iommi has a REALLY cool looking guitar.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Why wasn't this album huge?, August 22, 2005

By	Christopher Bushman (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am more of a greatest-hits Sabbath fan rather than a total Sabbath freak but I have a healthy admiration for Mr. Iommi's guitar skills and was mildly interested when this all-star-guest-singer (ala Santana) solo album was released.

I can't say that I love every song here but I was really blown away by the contributions from Henry Rollins, Dave Grohl and Billy Corgan and the Ozzy, Ian Astbury, Billy Idol contributions are plenty of fun too.

These songs are super-heavy but also very catchy and to my ears fit right into the hard rock / neo metal radio format of the time (that played plenty of Sabbath / Ozzy). I could never understand why this record wasn't huge, why was Goodbye Lament not a rock radio single? Oh well, I advise you to buy this used ASAP and crank it up.