Geezer Butler Embraces A.I. in Songwriting for His Upcoming Solo Album: 'It’s Made a Significant Difference'
At the recent Steel City Con, which took place from December 5-7, 2025, in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, the iconic bassist of BLACK SABBATH, Geezer Butler, shared some exciting news about his solo music endeavors. When asked if he had any more solo albums in the works, he enthusiastically replied, "Oh, gosh. I've got tons of stuff! Since wrapping up our last SABBATH performance at 'Back To The Beginning' in July 2025, I've been sifting through all the material I’ve written since the '80s, updating it along the way. One of the challenges I faced was not having a vocalist to collaborate with from home, but then A.I. technology emerged. [Laughs] Now, I've revamped all my songs and I'm utilizing an A.I. singer to bring my lyrics to life. This allows me to present a more concrete vision to the vocalists I plan to work with, providing them with a clearer understanding of what I want for the album. In the past, I would merely show them a bass riff and ask, 'Can you sing to this?' and they'd respond affirmatively. [Laughs] However, it’s significantly more effective now because I can produce everything in my studio using A.I. and then hand it over to talented musicians to take it to the next level. It has truly been a game-changer for me, although some people might perceive it as cheating."
When further questioned about his songwriting methods, Geezer elaborated, "With SABBATH, we used to gather in a room and just jam endlessly until someone stumbled upon a compelling idea that we could build upon. Once we had a solid riff, we would finish composing the musical segment. Ozzy [Osbourne, the vocalist of SABBATH] would craft his vocal lines, and then I would pen the lyrics. Therefore, our creative process primarily blossomed from those jam sessions."
The 1990s proved to be quite a challenging decade for numerous rock legends who had thrived during the 1970s. The wave of nostalgia that has become a multi-faceted industry hadn’t yet taken shape, leaving many veterans of the rock scene struggling to adapt as alternative rock surged to prominence.
In 1995, Geezer released his debut solo album, "Plastic Planet," followed by "Black Science" in 1997, with "Ohmwork" rounding off his trilogy in 2005. In October 2020, these three albums were finally made available on vinyl for the first time through BMG, featuring newly designed cover art for both the CD and LP formats.
"Plastic Planet," initially released under the moniker G/Z/R, showcased Burton C. Bell of the influential band FEAR FACTORY as the lead vocalist and has since attained classic status in 90s metal history. This album skillfully blended Geezer's roots in bluesy doom rock with the industrial-influenced metal sound that helped redefine the genre during that era.
Joining Bell on this project was Peter Howse, a longtime collaborator whom Butler affectionately nicknamed "Pedro" after a character from the television series "Four Feather Falls." Howse was a founding member of the GEEZER BUTLER BAND back in 1985, contributing to all iterations of GZR/GEEZER. Drumming duties were managed by Deen Castronovo, whose powerful rhythms drove the heavy grooves and mechanical edge of "Plastic Planet." Lyrically, Butler explored themes of technology, science fiction, and dystopia, weaving in social commentary seen in tracks like "Drive Boy, Shooting" and "The Invisible," aligning perfectly with the album's futuristic soundscapes.
In 1997, Butler returned with "Black Science," this time credited under the name GEEZER. He collaborated once again with drummer Deen Castronovo and guitarist Pedro Howse, while the album was produced by Butler alongside Paul Northfield (known for his work with RUSH, ALICE COOPER, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, DREAM THEATER). Although Bell could not contribute vocals due to his commitments with FEAR FACTORY, his absence was effectively filled by the then little-known Clark Brown, who delivered a remarkably powerful vocal performance that matched the album's high-energy and heavy grooves.
Geezer’s solo explorations were put on hold until 2005, as he dedicated himself to SABBATH during their 1997 Ozzfest appearance, continuing with the band ever since. In 2005, he released "Ohmwork," again under the GZR name. This recording featured Clark Brown on vocals and Pedro Howse on guitar, but this time drumming was provided by Chad E. Smith, a seasoned St. Louis drummer (distinct from the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer of the same name).
With "Ohmwork," the industrial metal influences from the previous decade were noticeably absent; however, Butler remained committed to keeping his sound contemporary, drawing inspiration from the evolving rock landscape. From the intense energy of "Aural Sects" to the epic, neo-psychedelic vibes of "I Believe," "Ohmwork" served as a fitting conclusion to Geezer's solo album trilogy.
As a founding member of BLACK SABBATH, Butler is also renowned for penning classic tracks such as "War Pigs," "Iron Man," and "Paranoid."
During the aforementioned "Back To The Beginning" concert, Ozzy and the other original members of SABBATH entertained over 40,000 fans at Villa Park, their birthplace in Birmingham, United Kingdom, with an additional 5.8 million viewers tuning in via livestream. Ozzy also performed a five-song solo set while seated on a throne adorned with bats.
Geezer's autobiography, titled "Into The Void: From Birth To Black Sabbath - And Beyond," was released in June 2023 in North America, published by HarperCollins imprint Dey Street Books.
