Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has said Queen’s Brian May, whom he calls his best friend, plays on Death Wake from Iommi’s forthcoming solo album, From The Dark. Iommi described their collaboration as informal and long-standing, reflecting a friendship of nearly six decades and making May’s appearance a notable crossover between two major British rock guitarists.

May recorded his part after visiting Iommi’s home, but declined invitations to contribute to further songs because he felt it was Iommi’s album. From The Dark, released on 23 October, will be Iommi’s first solo record since 2005 and features singer Jørn Lande, bassist Becky Baldwin and drummer Karl Brazil; Iommi also reflected on Black Sabbath’s final Birmingham concert in July 2025, held shortly before Ozzy Osbourne’s death.