Precisely six months in the past, we realized that Black Sabbath’s unique lineup — Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Invoice Ward — had been getting again collectively for one final present. It might be their first efficiency in over eight years and first with Ward in almost 20. The Black Sabbath finale would double as a farewell live performance for Osbourne, who retired from touring three years in the past whereas coping with critical well being issues together with Parkinson’s illness, and it might actually be extra like a day-long competition that includes a number of the largest names in heavy music main as much as the primary occasion. Right this moment at Villa Park within the group’s hometown of Birmingham, UK, the large occasion lastly occurred.
We already knew Sabbath can be doing an abbreviated efficiency following a short Ozzy solo set, and certainly, they didn’t rock out for lengthy. After rising On a throne from underneath the stage, the Prince Of Darkness sang “I Don’t Know,” “Mr. Crowley,” “Suicide Resolution,” “Mama, I’m Coming Residence” (his largest solo hit exterior Lita Ford and Submit Malone collabs), and “Loopy Practice” (his basic debut solo single). The efficiency by Osbourne and his band (which featured Zakk Wylde, Adam Wakeman, Mike Inez, and Tommy Clufetos) ended with confetti and, as with final evening’s Oasis reunion, an onscreen tribute to Diogo Jota, the footballer who who was killed alongside his brother in a automotive crash on Thursday. Black Sabbath then closed the evening with “Conflict Pigs,” “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid” as fireworks went off above.
The so-called Again To The Starting present was viewable on a pay-per-view livestream for $29.99. Those that paid for the bundle have entry to rewatch the live performance on demand till Monday at 3 p.m. BST. Although it’s throughout, you would possibly nonetheless have the ability to get VOD entry right here.
Earlier than the headline units, a assassin’s row of steel and exhausting rock legends took the stage with tributes. We’re speaking Metallica, Weapons N’ Roses, and Slayer all protecting Sabbath songs. Additionally performing had been Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Mastodon, Halestorm, and Rival Sons. A few supergroups introduced collectively artists like Tom Morello, Tobias Forge, Billy Corgan, Travis Barker, Danny Carey, Nuno Bettencourt (carrying a Diogo Jota jersey), David Draiman (getting booed), Chad Smith, and Andrew Watt, amongst others, plus Ronnie Wooden and Steven Tyler in shock appearances. Pre-recorded movies featured Jack Black singing “Mr. Crowley” with Tom Morello’s son and, extra controversially, Marilyn Manson. Famous metalhead Jason Momoa was there too, moshing throughout Pantera.
Instrument carried out as nicely, regardless of hypothesis that they had been the unnamed band Sharon Osbourne kicked off the invoice after having what she referred to as a “large, large to-do with a supervisor.” Talking to Metallic Hammer, Sharon continued, “And it was most likely the worst means I’ve felt in years. And I don’t care what this particular person says about me, thinks about it, as a result of he doesn’t know me. And he’s now going round making up bulls— lies as a result of I threw his band off the invoice.” Two acts that did drop off the lineup are Wolfgang Van Halen (as a result of his band Mammoth are opening Creed’s tour) and the surviving members of Soundgarden (no purpose was given).
In different Ozzy Osbourne information, he lately partnered with Liquid Loss of life to promote 10 cans of his “DNA.” They rapidly bought out, however Travis Barker bought one. Osbourne additionally teamed with Jolie on his newest magnificence product collab.
As for Sabbath as an entire, Birmingham honored them with “the liberty of town” by the Lord Mayor and a LEGO tribute at its LEGOLAND Discovery Centre forward of at present’s present. Fellow native heavy steel icons Judas Priest additionally shared a canopy of “Conflict Pigs.” And there’s a huge Sabbath public sale taking place with numerous collectibles and experiences to learn Remedy Parkinson’s and Acorns Youngsters’s Hospice. Lastly, the group’s early demos from 1969, once they had been nonetheless utilizing the band identify Earth, shall be launched 7/25 through Large Bear Information underneath the identify Earth: The Legendary Misplaced Tapes.
Try a few of Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s remaining performances beneath.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKtu7kXaZAQ
God, the road up for this remaining Ozzy gig at present is wild.
Think about Weapons N Roses saying “positive, we’ll do 25 minutes.” pic.twitter.com/7ffbUduqpV
— Mikey Smith (@mikeysmith) July 5, 2025
