Overlords of all issues steel Black Sabbath concluded their legendary profession on July 5, 2025, with a poignant farewell live performance at Villa Park in Birmingham, their residence metropolis and the place the place the band was based in 1968. The occasion featured the band’s authentic lineup — Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Invoice Ward — performing collectively dwell for the primary time since 2005, in addition to Ozzy Osbourne performing his remaining solo set.
Among the many openers was Lamb Of God whose frontman Randy Blythe had fairly just a few type phrases concerning the present. Lamb Of God delivered a standout efficiency as a part of the all-star tribute lineup honoring Black Sabbath‘s remaining look. Lamb Of God opened their set with fan-favorites like “Laid to Relaxation” and “Redneck”, setting the tone earlier than launching right into a relentless rendition of Black Sabbath‘s traditional “Youngsters of the Grave” (which has since been released as a studio recording as well).
“I would not have the phrases to clarify what merely being at, a lot much less acting at, Black Sabbath‘s remaining present yesterday felt like. I am nonetheless attempting to course of it- it is loopy. I’ve been in my band for 30 years now, and I’ve performed many, many reveals in that point. However the overwhelming vitality at this present— within the viewers, within the backstage space, and onstage (as a result of I used to be in all 3 areas at completely different occasions)— was one thing I’ve by no means felt earlier than, and I do know I by no means will once more.
“It was one thing DIFFERENT, one thing very, very particular. If you happen to play in a heavy steel band, or are a fan of any heavy steel music, then know that your roots lay in Birmingham, beginning means again in 1968 with 4 working class Englishmen named Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, & Invoice Ward. They created this. PERIOD. For these of us who make this music, there’ll by no means be one other probability to play with the unique creators once more. That was IT… & it was superb.
“If you happen to had been there within the viewers, it is best to know that each single band member I talked to- from Mastodon who opened the present up all the way in which to Metallica who performed proper earlier than Ozzy– was nervous to go onstage… & I do imply EVERYONE (God is aware of I used to be.) It an indication of our respect for the dudes who created this music that all of us felt this fashion. All of us wished to honor them, to indicate respect, to thank them for this wild-ass life that they’ve given us, and to do justice to their tunes— all of us get to journey the world & play this music due to what these 4 guys began. Then to see these 4 guys give it one final wonderful whirl, 4 songs… it was earth shattering.
“So thanks Black Sabbath, thanks Birmingham, & thanks to all of the followers who got here out yesterday to assist us give Sabbath a correct ship off. We additionally raised A LOT of cash yesterday for 3 completely different charities- Treatment Parkinson’s, Birmingham Youngsters’s Hospital, & Acorn Youngsters’s Hospice. Not one of the bands took a single penny for this gig- hell, none of us even received a guestlist! I’m so glad to have witnessed it & past grateful to have been requested to be part of it. A merely unbelievable day…”
Talking of Again To The Starting, you possibly can watch both Sabbath and Osbourne‘s final sets right here and all the bands covering Black Sabbath here.
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