The gods of heavy metal are preparing to take their final bow. Black Sabbath, the band that laid the foundation of the genre, has announced a monumental farewell concert, Back to the Beginning, set to take place on July 5, 2025, at Birmingham’s Villa Park. This historic event marks the last performance of the band’s original lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—after two decades apart. More than a concert, it’s a celebration of their legacy and a tribute to the city where their groundbreaking journey began.
With a lineup that reads like a who’s-who of heavy metal royalty, this event is poised to be the greatest metal concert of all time. Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Lamb of God, Alice in Chains, Anthrax, and many others will join the stage, creating an unparalleled gathering of metal’s most iconic figures. Adding to the excitement, a supergroup featuring Slash (Guns N’ Roses), Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Jonathan Davis (Korn), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Wolfgang Van Halen, and Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) will perform. Morello, who is also the concert’s musical director, perfectly summed it up: “This will be the greatest heavy metal show ever.”
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For Ozzy Osbourne, Back to the Beginning is not just a farewell—it’s a deeply personal moment of gratitude and nostalgia. After years of battling health challenges, which forced him to cancel multiple tours, the 76-year-old rock legend is determined to take the stage one last time with his bandmates. “It’s my time to go Back to the Beginning… time for me to give back to the place where I was born,” Osbourne shared. “How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham Forever.” Osbourne will deliver a solo set before joining Black Sabbath for their final performance, a moment fans around the world have been longing to witness. His resilience and determination to perform despite his physical challenges are a testament to his passion for music and his fans.
Black Sabbath’s impact on music cannot be overstated. Formed in Birmingham in 1968, the band revolutionized rock with their dark, heavy sound, creating a blueprint for the heavy metal genre. Over their career, they’ve sold more than 75 million albums worldwide and influenced nearly every hard rock and metal band that followed. As the godfathers of metal, their contributions extend far beyond their music—they’ve shaped the culture and ethos of an entire genre. While the band has announced farewell tours before, this performance feels truly final, given their age and Osbourne’s health, making it a once-in-a-lifetime event for fans.
What makes this concert even more special is its purpose beyond music. All proceeds from Back to the Beginning will be donated to three Birmingham-based charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice. This act of generosity reflects the band’s enduring connection to their roots and their desire to leave a lasting impact on the community that shaped their journey.
Tickets for Back to the Beginning go on sale on February 14, 2025, and they’re expected to sell out almost instantly. Fans eager to witness this historic event should mark their calendars and secure their spot for a night that promises to be the pinnacle of heavy metal history.
As the lights dim at Villa Park on that fateful night, fans will experience not just the end of Black Sabbath’s illustrious career but also a heartfelt celebration of the genre they pioneered. From Birmingham’s industrial streets to the global stage, Black Sabbath’s journey has been nothing short of legendary. This concert is more than a farewell—it’s a defining moment for heavy metal and a chance for fans to be part of history.
Don’t miss your chance to witness the ultimate heavy metal sendoff. This is not just the end of an era—it’s a celebration of everything that made Black Sabbath legends.
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Icarus
Thrive in the decay.