Tony Iommi gave birth to heavy metal – and learning his techniques will make you a better riff writer By Jamie Hunt published 5 February 24 In this metal rhythm lesson, we take the art form back to the source, the Black Sabbath guitarist who launched a thousand riffs
“He was a superb craftsman who loved what he did”: Tony Iommi pays tribute to ‘Old Boy’ SG luthier John Diggins, who has died By Jackson Maxwell published 4 January 24 Diggins began his career working for John Birch – the Birmingham, UK-based luthier who partnered with Iommi early in the Black Sabbath legend's career – and later struck out on his own, founding Jaydee Custom Guitars
“People think his playing is all about the big riffs, but I always loved his jazzy playing – listen to Planet Caravan. You can hear a lot of passing tones”: Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt says there’s way more to Tony Iommi’s guitar style than riffs alone By Amit Sharma published 4 January 24 The Swedish progressive metal icon pays homage to the dark lord of rock
“I’m going to commit sacrilege by joining in!” Footage of Brian May and Tony Iommi jamming together finally surfaces as the Queen legend solos over Black Sabbath’s Paranoid in this exclusive clip By Matt Owen published 3 January 24 While filming a new documentary titled Great Guitar Riffs, the two guitar titans took the opportunity to jam the Black Sabbath classic – and discuss its humble origins
“I've been working in the studio, writing and doing plenty of stuff”: Tony Iommi reveals he is cooking up some “really good” new music for 2024 By Phil Weller published 2 January 24 In his New Year message, the metal legend talks about everything from the Black Sabbath ballet to working in the studio and the status of the delayed Tony Martin-era Sabbath boxset
“People romanticize the old sound, but you want your sound brought into the 21st century”: Billy Corgan reveals how Tony Iommi inspired his approach to signature gear By Phil Weller published 20 December 23 Black Sabbath’s metal icon taught the Smashing Pumpkins leader the importance of updating past tonal glories for the future
Three “God-like guitarists” join forces and stadium-conquering rockers channel their inner spy: This week's essential guitar tracks By Michael Astley-Brown published 8 December 23 Must-listen-to tunes from Guns N' Roses, Architects, IDLES, The Libertines, Devon Ross, Ryujin and many more
“A revolving collective of Gibson artists”: Guitar brand becomes a guitar band, as the Gibson Band debuts its first single, featuring CEO Cesar Gueikian, Serj Tankian, and a solo from Tony Iommi By Matt Parker published 8 December 23 The original new song, Deconstruction, is being released as part a new fundraising initiative, accompanied by Tankian’s original artwork and what else? A Les Paul with a custom finish
“I’m honored”: Tony Iommi walks onstage to play Paranoid at the Black Sabbath ballet – and the entire ensemble bows at his feet By Matt Parker published 25 September 23 The father of metal guitar was given a humbling tribute during a surprise appearance at the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s new Sabbath-themed show
“I don't know whether we played it properly, but the audience loved it”: When Black Sabbath regularly covered Smoke on the Water – and unwittingly inspired Spinal Tap's Stonehenge By Jackson Maxwell published 7 August 23 Sabbath's ill-fated Born Again tour featured comically oversized props “as big as the real Stonehenge”, onstage spills, and a crowd-pleasing hard-rock crossover
“An official Vampire now”: Tony Iommi played Paranoid with Joe Perry, Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper at The Hollywood Vampires’ recent UK show By Matt Parker published 13 July 23 The Black Sabbath legend dropped in on the band’s Birmingham, UK show and proved he has lost none of his chops since retiring from touring
Classic rock: Tony Iommi has 469 million year-old fossil named after him By Matt Parker published 7 July 23 “I’ve had a bit of abuse from my friends about it who’ve enjoyed calling me an old fossil,” says Iommi. “But I think it’s great, a real honor”
Tony Iommi trades guitars with Brian May and faces the struggle of all left-handers, as he wields the Red Special upside down By Matt Parker published 17 May 23 The two British guitar heroes and friends spent the afternoon trading licks – and instruments – as part of a forthcoming documentary on riffs
Paul Gilbert tackles both Tony Iommi and Ronnie James Dio’s parts in new cover of Black Sabbath’s Heaven and Hell By Matt Owen published 23 February 23 It follows the Mr. Big virtuoso's cover of Dio's Holy Diver, with his fully fledged Dio tribute record set to arrive April 7
Some of Black Sabbath’s heaviest tracks are being turned into a ballet By Matt Owen published 8 February 23 War Pigs, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Iron Man and five other Sabbath songs will soundtrack the new three-act dance show – which might feature a Tony Iommi cameo
The 100 greatest guitarists of all time By Jonathan Horsley last updated 16 January 23 A comprehensive rundown of the best guitarists of all time, featuring the trailblazers, the early innovators, the best jazz, rock, indie, blues, metal and acoustic players – and the top guitarists around today...
Tony Iommi reveals he is about to start recording a new album By Matt Owen published 4 January 23 The Black Sabbath legend didn't give too much away, but it sounds as though a follow-up to 2005's Fused is right around the corner
NAMM 2020: Gibson makes Custom Shop clone of Tony Iommi's "Monkey" 1964 SG Special By Jonathan Horsley last updated 28 October 22 The limited edition Artist Series model is a replica of the Black Sabbath guitarist's iconic doublecut
Epiphone unveils low-cost version of Tony Iommi's iconic signature SG Special By Jackson Maxwell published 27 September 22 Powered by two Epiphone PRO P-90s and sporting a classic Vintage Cherry finish, this is the most affordable take yet on the Sabbath guitarist's legendary "Monkey" '64 SG Special
Ozzy Osbourne hints at future tour: “If I have to go up there and die on the first song, I’ll still be back the next day” By Sam Roche published 30 August 22 The Prince of Darkness also mentions a possible solo album with his former Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi