BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi is said to be making great progress with his new album which, as previously reported, also features Glenn Hughes (ex-DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) on vocals and Kenny Aronoff (ex-JOHN MELLENCAMP) on drums. They’ve cut 13 tracks, all produced by Bob Marlette, who worked on Tony's first solo album ("Iommi") in 2000 and the BLACK SABBATH "Reunion" album in 1998, and whose recent productions with SEETHER and SHINEDOWN are currently in the U.S. Billboard charts.

Compared to the songs on the recently released "The DEP Sessions" (featuring songs recorded by Iommi and Hughes in 1996), the new material is "more riff-oriented," Iommi told Rolling Stone in a recent interview. He also promised that, like its impromptu predecessor, the songs would "come together very, very quick."

The album is now at the mixing stage and discussions are taking place regarding the release date, which will be later this year. Tony is also hoping to be able to take this album out live. More information will be made available soon.

In other news, Iommi fans in Brazil can check out the January 2005 issue of Rock Brigade magazine, which contains an interview that Tony did with them late last year. Click here to view the magazine cover.