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Black Sabbath brought their storied journey to an emotional close on July 5 with a one-day concert titled Back to the Beginning at Villa Park in Birmingham, the city where the band and heavy metal itself were born. Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward reunited for what was billed as their final live performance together, playing in front of over 45,000 fans. The event was not only a celebration of the band’s legacy but also a charitable occasion, with all proceeds benefiting causes like Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
The concert opened with a thunderous set from Mastodon, who delivered a faithful and energized rendition of Black Sabbath’s “Supernaut.” Drummer Brann Dailor handled vocals, channeling Ozzy’s raw spirit, while members of Gojira and Tool joined in for a percussive finale. The collaborative energy set the tone for an afternoon filled with reverence and heavy metal camaraderie.
Lamb of God followed with their signature aggressive sound. Frontman Randy Blythe delivered a charged performance, thanking Black Sabbath for laying the foundation of metal and amping up the crowd with massive mosh pits. He closed the set by tossing his shoes into the audience, stoking the fervor even further.
Throughout the event, Nuno Bettencourt emerged as a central figure, participating in multiple supergroup moments. One of the most emotional performances came when he joined Yungblud and Sleep Token’s drummer for a stripped-down version of Sabbath’s “Changes.” Sharon Osbourne was seen visibly moved during the performance, a nod to the song’s deep emotional connection within the Osbourne family.
Metallica’s appearance raised the energy again as they launched into a blistering version of “Hole in the Sky,” followed by fan favorites like “Creeping Death” and “Master of Puppets.” The band brought their usual intensity, with Robert Trujillo and Lars Ulrich delivering a relentless rhythm section that kept the stadium charged.
The night belonged to Black Sabbath, and when the original four members finally took the stage, the crowd erupted. Ozzy, seated beneath a towering bat, addressed fans with heartfelt words, reflecting on the challenges of recent years and his gratitude for returning to the stage. Despite his health struggles, he delivered five solo songs with passion and clarity. The band then closed the show with a set of classics—“War Pigs,” “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,” and finally “Paranoid.” Geezer Butler’s bass work shone throughout, a fitting reminder of the musical backbone that helped shape a genre. The performance served as a powerful farewell to one of rock’s most influential bands, ending their legacy in the city where it all began.