Geezer Butler Gives Iommi Update

Despite his recent cancer diagnosis, Tony Iommi is apparently on a creative roll. Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler revealed on his website that Iommi recently wrote the music for two songs for the forthcoming Sabbath album.

"Today [January 19], we got the engines back up and running at Tony’s home studio," Butler writes. "Far from being down and depressed about his lymphoma diagnosis, Tony had already written the music for two new songs, and I must say it has given us all a kick up the rump. It’s great to hear him churning out those riffs again, assuaging the Demon C. Takes more than that to stop Tony. Can’t wait for you all to hear our workings; it has been great working on this stuff."

Butler continues: "I want to thank the lovely encouraging emails sent to this site giving Tony love and encouragement and great vibes. It really does help, not only Tony, but us as a band. It raises up our spirits and restores our faith in this tarnished world. Sabb fans are good people. Time and again you have proven your faith in us and boosted our endeavor."

Black Sabbath are slated to tour Europe this summer. The trek includes a headlining post at the Download Festival.

Thanks for the report to Russell Hall, Gibson.com.

Comments

[Krieger91]

Is this guy ever off a creative roll?
He's amazing.

Keep going strong man!

[SuicidalFreak]

I've been praying everyday that Tony's cancer will go away.

[Poisonouspot]

great musician, can't wait for the album

[GunsNSnakepits]

They better come to Heavy TO this summer, I'm not the only one who thinks it! I'm pumped for their new album either way.

[DavyG707]

Yes! Sabbath are the men!

[voodoochile000]

****ing love this article! everything about iommi and the rest of these guys coming back to do what they do best. feels good to know that old differences or whatever gets in the way can be overcome. totally can't wait to hear new sabbath!

[MidniteHaze]

And ozzy is perfectly healthy.. get well soon Tony!

[xHellbound]

I am so stoked for an original lineup performance that I'll be alive to see!

[dynastywest69]

Legend.

[Rattlenix]

Get well soon Tony...really hope, that there's no need to cancel the tour....

[Nwright14]

Don't worry guys, Iommi got his fingertips cut off and he still managed to become one of, if not the greatest metal guitarist of all time. Cancer doesn't have shit on this guy.

[reignofrock]

Wouldn't expect anything less from such a metal legend.

[BigHeadClan]

Tony doesn't get cancer, cancer gets Tony!

Seriously though, best wishes to ya. Keep the stuff coming though!

[romeoba]

Has he considered letting Mustaine touch his cancer so it will go away like that other kid?

[chadmarkmurray]

This article just proves the theory that the Iron Man comic and song are based on Tony Iommi. The man is a rocking machine.

[Thefallofman]

Tony's the man!

[ShockHazard]

Well, nothing to add to the above comments really... Can't wait for the new album!

[centermass]

i have this overwhelming feeling that tony will be fine. i dont know why it is that i feel that way i just do. good vibes a million times over MR. IOMMI!

[Whiteboy_az]

Not even cancer can stop an original metal head. \m/ Always rooting for you, Tony.

[EpiExplorer]

I like how the only negatively rated comment is a cheesy pun.

Hope he gets better very soon.

[pwnadgebunny]

stay as strong as the riffs you write tony! hope you get better soon, i can't wait to see sabbath when they tour.

[cfhdomination]

Cancer doesn't stand a chance against the Iron Man. The Riff Lord will prevail! Get well soon Tony!

[Tigershark2112]

WIN THIS ONE FOR DIO, TOMMY!

[Tigershark2112]

*TONY!

[iup788]

This proves once and for all that our suspicions were true. Tony Iommi IS invincible! Get well soon!

[Skullivan]

I kind of hope Tony doesn't take this too lightly. Dio put off going to the doctor for a while and that's partially why he died. I just want Mr. Iommi to know that his health is more important than anything, but from this update, he seems to be A-OK.

[Reisgar42]

Not really that much of a Black Sabbath fan (nothing against them, just not my thing) but there's no way you can't respect an artist like Tony.

[Weybl Himself]

Not a huge Sabbath fan (tons of respect for the guys though) and I'm still stoked that he's doing well, having seen first hand how vicious and horrible cancer is, the more people who beat it, the better.

Unfortunately I'm also sitting here waiting for the Westboro Baptist Church to wade into this story saying that Tony's cancer is a 'punishment' from 'God' or some rubbish like that.

Keep on kickin Tony.

[wylde1994]

See that just proves that everything about Tony is made of Iron. All the best Tony I don't want to see the last great left handed player climb the stairway to heaven.

[Brandon1993]

im a huge Sabbath fan and i got REALLY depressed when i found out about when Tony was diagnosed with lymphoma

get better soon dude the world still guitarists like you to give us inspiration to keep going when we are faced with the crap we face on a day to day basis
losing parts of 2 of your fingers didnt stop you from making some of the greatest music ever
im really glad that you're recovering at the pace you currently are
and i cant wait to hear the new album when it comes out
i'll be sure to buy it the day it comes out

[Chronologo]

lymphoma is one of the less fatal type of cancer, today's medicine is capable of healing it if detected early and I think that's Tony's case. I'm sure we will see him on good shape for the forthcoming years.

[johnthebassist4]

Rock > cancer

[BIGD2]

God bless you me Brummie!!

I WILL play only your riffs on my SG until you are well!!

[JohnVanOevelen]

Tony will make the cure against cancer with his music. I'm sure of it

[Rattlehead2]

How can Master of Reality die?

[aig91]

Checked

[RabidPikachu]

MidniteHaze wrote on 01/23/2012 - 125 pm / quote |
And ozzy is perfectly healthy.. get well soon Tony!

Lets not get carried away now... Lol. Cant wait though.

[SOAD_SoG]

Keep the good vibe, Black Sabbath.
Go Iommi.

[MrPajamaShark]

I imagine that this is a pretty scary experience for them, considering how they lost Dio not that long ago...

[blackbird51]

This should be headlines, NOT Adele.

[limpidgreen345]

Does cancer know who it's messing with? I think not. Go Tony.

[Eifler121]

RabidPikachu wrote:

MidniteHaze wrote on 01/23/2012 - 125 pm / quote |
And ozzy is perfectly healthy.. get well soon Tony!
Lets not get carried away now... Lol. Cant wait though.

Define: Healthy...

[mathman51]

Thank God its early stage. It will be a battle but one Tony can overcome. Also, let's not forget Geezer's friendship with not only standing by Tony's side but being by Ronnie's side throughout his battle. Geezer you are a very special friend. If I am need of someone to be by my side I hope it's somebody like yourself.

[Maiden95]

Really encouraging to hear, can't wait to get the chance to hear the new record and see them live!

[MaddMann274]

Get well soon, Tony!
Can't wait for the album. x]

[Deified]

Nwright14 wrote:

Don't worry guys, Iommi got his fingertips cut off and he still managed to become one of, if not the greatest metal guitarist of all time. Cancer doesn't have shit on this guy.

I think you out to reword this, he got his fingertips cut off any still managed to create an entirely new division of rock and roll that's still going strong today.

[Deified]

*ought

[Noob_Brood]

Geezer really worded his response perfectly. I'm not a Sabbath fan, but I am a bass player, and the beginning of NIB was absolute madness. Like a poster said before me....sounds like Geezer is a stand up guy for his friends when they are in need. Cheers to you mate!

[SharpObject]

Sabb fans are good people

Thank you very much!

[Konrad5415]

Good to hear. Can't wait to hear the album