Heavy metal came home this past weekend as Black Sabbath played their final show ever — right where it all began, in Birmingham, England. The one-day event, Back To The Beginning, drew 45,000 fans to Villa Park for an emotional sendoff to one of the world’s greatest rock bands of all time.
Widely credited with inventing heavy metal, Black Sabbath introduced a darker, heavier sound than anything the rock world had experienced during the ’70s. Featuring ominous riffs, doom-laden lyrics, and a theatrical sense of menace, the band’s debut record set the blueprint for what would become heavy metal — something that resonated with a generation confronting war, social unrest, and existential dread.
Guitarist Tony Iommi, who lost the tips of two fingers in a factory accident, helped shape that sound by tuning his guitar down to ease his playing — unintentionally giving birth to the sludgy, sinister tone that became Sabbath’s signature.
Black Sabbath’s influence is impossible to overstate. They laid the groundwork for countless sub-genres — doom, thrash, stoner rock, grunge — and inspired generations of artists, from Metallica and Iron Maiden to Nirvana and Soundgarden. Even after five decades, with sold-out tours and a massive global
fanbase, their impact remains undeniable.
Given such immense history, Back To The Beginning was more than a concert — it was a full-circle celebration of everything Sabbath has made possible during their near fifty-year career.
Yungblud even made an appearance on the night, stunning the crowd and bringing Sharon Osbourne to tears with a stripped-down, emotional take on “Changes”.
Supergroup jam sessions featuring Travis Barker, Steven Tyler, Billy Corgan, and Tom Morello further turned the mid-show stretch into a chaotic, star-studded tribute. Hollywood star Jason Momoa served as MC and even jumped into the pit during Pantera’s performance. Video tributes from Elton John, Dolly Parton, and Ricky Gervais also rolled throughout the night.
And then came Ozzy. Rolled onstage in a black throne topped with a massive bat, the Prince of
Darkness delivered five solo songs, including “Crazy Train,” “Mr. Crowley” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home”.
Backed by longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde, Ozzy’s voice was raw, at times trembling, but filled with emotion. “I’ve been laid up for six fucking years,” he told the crowd. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”
But the most powerful moment came when the original lineup — Ozzy, Tony, Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward — took the stage together for the final time. It wasn’t a long set — just four songs. But under a sky full of fireworks, in front of their hometown faithful, Sabbath reminded everyone why they mattered in the first place.