Tony Iommi Says He and Rob Halford Have Talked About Collaborating

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi says he and Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford have talked "for ages" about collaborating.

He says the two may begin working on new music together when their schedules finally align. 

"When the time’s right it would be nice to write a track or two, or whatever," Iommi told Metal Hammer in a new interview. "I’d like to do that. It’s nice to work with people that you respect and like.”

Iommi has openly expressed his aspiration to continue writing new music since he and his Black Sabbath bandmates retired the legendary heavy metal band last winter. 

The legendary guitarist admits he hasn't done much writing over the past year, since he's been busy traveling with his wife and slowly moving into a new house. 

Halford on the other hand is currently on tour supporting the critically-acclaimed new album, Firepower, with Judas Priest.

Halford has always been prolific in his time off from Judas Priest, so it wouldn't be much of a surprise for him to collaborate with a longtime contemporary like Iommi.

It's unlikely such a venture would turn into a full-fledged new band, however. Iommi's health has waned since his cancer diagnosis in 2012.

While Iommi has been in remission since 2016, he says his doctors have told him that the disease will probably return, so he's not inclined to take on anymore extensive touring obligations. 

Judas Priest has tour dates booked through August. If Halford and his band take any time off later this summer it will be well-deserved. 

Iommi is responsible for some of the most recognizable metal songs ever recorded, and with all due respect to Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio, Iommi has never worked with a singer as versatile as Halford. 

It's not clear whether Iommi's suggestion that he and Halford could record "one or two" songs together increases or decreases the likelihood of the collaboration, but heavy metal fans around the world have their fingers crossed that the pair follow through.

Get all Judas Priest's tour dates here. 

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