Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has issued an update on guitarist Tony Iommi’s condition as the guitarist battles cancer.

Writing on his own website, Butler says: “Today (January 19) we got the engines back up and running at Tony’s home studio. Far from being down and depressed about his lymphoma diagnosis, Tony had already written the music for two new songs, and I must say it has given us all a kick up the rump – it’s great to hear him churning out those riffs again, assuaging the Demon C. Takes more than that to stop Tony. Can’t wait for you all to hear our workings; it has been great working on this stuff.

“I want to thank the lovely encouraging emails sent to this site giving Tony love and encouragement and great vibes. It really does help, not only Tony, but us as a band — it raises up our spirits and restores our faith in this tarnished world.

“Sabbath fans are good people. Time and again, you have proven your faith in us and boosted our endeavour.

“Thanks, love, peace.”