BECKY BALDWIN HAS REVEALED THE SERENDIPITOUS WAY SHE SECURED A BASS SLOT ON TONY IOMMI'S LATEST SOLO OUTING, "From The Dark". The Birmingham-based musician, who recently joined the ranks of Mercyful Fate, explained that her path to the studio began with a seemingly random email from Iommi's management.
While Baldwin initially feared the message was a hoax, it turned out to be a genuine invitation to audition. She credits her consistent output of classic metal bass covers on YouTube as the catalyst for the opportunity. These videos served as a digital portfolio, eventually catching the eye of producer Mike Exeter. Sticky! Exeter had been following her work for years, and when Iommi sought a local bassist capable of capturing a specific aesthetic, Baldwin's cover of "Children of the Sea" became the deciding factor.
I was just sat on my sofa just, like, 'Oh, today sucks.' And, yeah, an e-mail came through saying — I think 'Tony Iommi' was the subject.
Iommi specifically praised Baldwin's ability to channel the style of Geezer Butler, noting that she was the right fit for the project's sonic requirements. During the recording process, Baldwin collaborated closely with Exeter and Iommi to refine the bass lines, moving beyond simple guide tracks to create a cohesive sound. While the initial invitation was only to test her skills under the pressure of the red light, the chemistry was so evident that she was commissioned to perform on the entire album. Splat!
Despite the high-profile nature of the collaboration, Baldwin notes that Iommi is currently focused on the release of "From The Dark" rather than immediate touring plans. For now, the focus remains on the music, with the Birmingham bassist enjoying the fruits of her digital persistence. Splat!
