After it was revealed yesterday that Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi had been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, members of the hard-rock and metal community have followed the Sabbath’s request to send Iommi warm thoughts. Check out the words of support, below, for the man who helped give birth to metal—from the likes of Slash, Zakk Wylde, and Sebastian Bach.
Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne): “Big BL get well wishes out to Lord Iommi!!!”
Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Black Country Communion): “Prayers please for my brother Tony Iommi… We all pray for a full, speedy recover from cancer…. Much love…”
David Draiman (Disturbed): “Everyone please send their prayers/good vibes/best wishes to Tony Iommi for a speedy recovery; he has been diagnosed [futureusgallerywith] lymphoma.”
Anthrax:: “This really does suck. GET WELL SOON TONY!”
Randy Blythe (LAMB OF GOD): “I absolutely insist that every single follower of mine, religious or not, send a prayer up for Tony Iommi. He has been diagnosed with lyphoma. It’s in its early stages—Sabbath is writing a new record, and they are continuing to. Iommi is the reason heavy metal exists. Pray for him. You pray to Crom, Odin, yourself—don’t care who. Just send up some positive vibes for Tony Iommi.
“This is terrible news for metal. I’ve toured with Iommi a coupla times. He is a gentleman and a living legend. Hopefully since it’s in early stages they can beat it pretty easily. But Iommi’s not a young man, so think good thoughts! It is no secret that I have donated both my time, energy, facial hair, and a fair amount of my money to cancer research. I’ve walked the walk (literally) as well as talked the talk. However, there’s nothing wrong with positive vibes.”
Sebastian Bach (Skid Row): “All hail the mighty Tony Iommi. & FUCK YOU, Cancer.”
Gus G. (Ozzy Osbourne, Firewind): “I’m in shock to hear the news about Tony Iommi. Get well soon ‘Iron Man’!! Your biggest fan.”
Slash: “Best wishes for a full recovery to Tony Iommi.”
Frank Bello (Anthrax): “Get well soon Tony!!”
Chris Jericho (Fozzy): “Best wishes and prayers to Tony Iommi in these tough times. The MASTER of the riff will crush his cancer with the power of metal (and God)!!
Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth): “Just read the news, and it’s perplexing and shocking to say the least. On behalf of the band and, I’m confident to say, the whole population of rock music lovers in the world, we all wish for a swift recovery for Tony. Get well!”
Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest): “My thoughts go out to Tony Iommi and I wish him a fast and full recovery.”
Michael Amott (Arch Enemy, Carcass): “Here’s hoping for a solid and speedy recovery for my guitar hero Tony Iommi!”
Shawn Drover (Megadeth): “Tony Iommi – Please get well soon!!!!!!!!!!!!”
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Swedish prog-metallers Opeth took a break from the serious business of showcasing their new album, Heritage, to bust out a bit of classic Bon Jovi while on tour in Orlando, Florida, recently. Check out the video, below, of frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt leading the crowd in a rendition of “Wanted Dead or Alive.” Let us know what you think in the comments.
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Storm Corrosion, the new project between Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt and Porcupine Tree’s Steven Wilson, has announced they expect their debut album to drop in April 2012. Recording for the self-titled record has already been completed and will be released through Roadrunner.
A post on Opeth’s website stated that “This album could be seen as the final part in the odd trilogy of records completed by Heritage and Steven Wilson’s brand new solo album Grace For Drowning.”
Wilson has previously expounded that the project’s music will be different from what both members have done previously in their respective prog-metal bands.
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