Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Bow: 5 Big Moments From Black Sabbath’s Farewell Show at Villa Park

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On July 5th, Black Sabbath completed their epic tale by performing a grand one-day concert titled “Back to the Beginning” at Villa Park in Birmingham. This extraordinary event showcased Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, marking what would be the legendary heavy metal band’s last performance in their native city, where the genre originated.

More than 45,000 spectators flocked to Aston Villa F.C.’s stadium to pay tribute to Black Sabbath during their farewell performance. As reported by Billboard, this event, which raised funds for charities like Birmingham Children’s Hospital, acknowledged the band’s impact and provided fans with a last opportunity to witness the original lineup performing together.

Below are five standout moments from Black Sabbath’s farewell show:

Mastodon set the tone with ‘Supernaut’

As an ardent admirer, I couldn’t help but feel my heart pound as American heavyweights Mastodon kicked off the concert with a thunderous cover of Black Sabbath’s Supernaut. Stepping up to the mic, drummer Brann Dailor channeled Ozzy’s raw energy in a performance that left me awestruck. The grand finale was a spectacle, with members from Gojira and Tool joining in for some additional percussion, setting the tone for a day brimming with collaborations and heartfelt tributes.

Lamb of God light up Villa Park

As an over-the-moon devotee, let me tell you, Lamb of God ignited the stage with their electrifying groove metal anthems. Frontman Randy Blythe whipped the masses into a storm, generating massive mosh pits. “A heartfelt salute to the four Sabbath members for birthing metal,” Blythe addressed the crowd, then tossed his shoes into the audience, sending fans into rapturous cheers.

Nuno Bettencourt’s moving moment with Yungblud

Nuno Bettencourt, an exceptional guitarist, outshone other performers by spending the most time on stage, often joining different supergroup acts. Notably, he collaborated with Sleep Token’s drummer II and Yungblud for a touching rendition of Sabbath’s “Changes”. This performance moved Sharon Osbourne to tears, as it resonated deeply due to its association with Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne’s version.

Metallica deliver heavy hits

During their performance, Metallica maintained a high level of energy, starting off with “Hole in the Sky” and transitioning into fan favorites such as “Creeping Death” and “Master of Puppets.” The band didn’t seem to tire at all, with Robert Trujillo’s distinctive moves and Lars Ulrich’s impressive drumming providing Villa Park with a thrilling surge of energy.

Ozzy’s final words and Sabbath’s last songs

Seated in a lavishly decorated chair, adorned by a massive bat, Ozzy Osbourne expressed his heartfelt gratitude to fans, “I’ve been sidelined for six long years, and I can’t tell you how significant this moment is to me.” With unwavering vigor, he performed five of his solo songs flawlessly. The concert ended with the original members of Black Sabbath playing War Pigs, N.I.B., Iron Man, and concluding with Paranoid. Geezer Butler’s bass lines were particularly noticeable, serving as a testament to why Black Sabbath continues to be the foundation of heavy metal music.

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2025-07-06 18:07