Tony Iommi Declined Andrew Watt’s Offer to Make a Final Black Sabbath Album: “He Was a Bit Too Excited”

Tony Iommi has revealed that he declined producer Andrew Watt’s offer to make a final Black Sabbath album.

Watt is one of the most sought-after producers around, having helmed the final two Ozzy Osbourne solo albums, the last two Rolling Stones records, and Pearl Jam’s 2024 LP Dark Matter, in addition to a number of high-profile pop releases.

The Black Sabbath guitarist explained in an interview with Classic Rock magazine, “I’d met Andrew Watt when he was producing Ozzy. He was very keen and a bit too excited. He also didn’t know what it was like working with the original Sabbath, working with [drummer] Bill [Ward].”

Iommi added that he wasn’t interested in making a new Black Sabbath record just for the sake of it, and that he was satisfied with 2013’s Rick Rubin-produced 13 being the legendary metal band’s final recorded statement. He explained, “We’d done 13, and I didn’t like the idea of: ‘Now here’s another album.’”

Tony Iommi is currently preparing to release his new solo album From the Dark, due out October 23rd via BMG. The LP was preceded by the single “World Alone,” which was unveiled in July.