Black Sabbath’s “Back to the Beginning” Concert: Heavy Metal’s World-Shaking Farewell Party
Introduction: A Legend’s Final Show
Imagine a city overflowing with metalheads from all over the world, air guitarists shredding “Iron Man” solos in the streets, and 11 hours of non-stop noise and ruckus continuing in a stadium. That’s exactly what happened in Birmingham, England, on July 5, 2025: Black Sabbath took the stage for the last time with all their original members (Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward), and the fathers of heavy metal delivered a historic farewell in the city where they were born.
Birmingham: The Holy Land of Heavy Metal
The concert’s name, “Back to the Beginning,” was no coincidence. The city where Black Sabbath played their first shows and where Ozzy once posted flyers reading “OZZY ZIG NEEDS GIG” turned into a complete metal capital that day. The streets were filled with purple balloons (Ozzy’s favorite color), massive Ozzy posters, and tourists humming “War Pigs.” One fan even tweeted, “I’m going to kiss the toilet wall at the bar where Sabbath played their first gig!”—a level of devotion that only a legendary band can inspire.
Pre-Concert: “Heavy Metal Summer Camp”
As Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich put it, the event was like a “heavy metal summer camp.” Giant names like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, and Pantera took the stage from 1 PM until midnight. It was so intense that while one band played “Paranoid,” someone else was covering “Sweet Leaf.” The drum duel featuring Travis Barker, Chad Smith, and Danny Carey was a genuine “let’s hit hard and party” moment.
Ozzy’s Throne and Final Solo Performance
Ozzy Osbourne arrived on stage sitting on a throne with skeleton and bat motifs (because he didn’t have the strength to stand anymore, but his spirit was still wild). During his set, which began with “Mr. Crowley,” he broke down in tears during “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” The audience did, too! The final song was “Crazy Train,” and Ozzy screamed, “It’s the last song ever! I love you all!”
Black Sabbath’s Final Four-Song Epic
And finally… Black Sabbath took the stage. The set began with “War Pigs,” continued with “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,”and, of course, “Paranoid.” Geezer Butler played a bass guitar while wearing an Aston Villa jersey, and Tony Iommi’s fingertips (custom-made for the fingers he lost in a factory accident!) played those famous riffs. Bill Ward, drumming topless at 77, made everyone feel like he was “still a young buck.”
The Funniest Moment: Ozzy’s Water Bottle Crisis
The most hilarious moment of the concert was Ozzy drinking from a plastic Tesco Express water bottle. Some joked, “You spent half the budget on the throne; couldn’t you afford a metal bottle for Ozzy?” But nobody cared about the bottle issue when he yelled “GO FUCKING CRAZY!” during “Iron Man.”
Emotional Farewell and Fireworks
They left the stage while “Paranoid” played. With fireworks, a confetti shower, and Ozzy’s mic-less shout of “Turn the stage around, dammit!” One observer wrote, “Those who watched this concert will tell their grandchildren.”And he was right!
Gossip Behind the Concert
Sharon Osbourne confessed that she canceled the invitation of a band who “only wanted to come for the money” at the last minute. The purpose was charity: millions were raised for Parkinson’s research, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
The Metal Soul of Birmingham
This concert was not just a farewell; it was a tribute to Birmingham’s metal heritage. The city even had the Black Sabbath Bridge, Ozzy statues, and a metal ballet. Even the commentators of Test Match Special, an English radio program that only cares about cricket, mentioned Ozzy during the match break!
Conclusion: A Night for the Ages
If Black Sabbath hadn’t existed, Metallica, Slayer, and even Yungblud wouldn’t exist (Yes, Yungblud made everyone cry with his cover of “Changes”). This concert was one of the most epic farewells in music history. And we say: “Ozzy, you are a legend… but that water bottle was genuinely funny.”
Bonus: A Scientific(!) Note
Research suggests that playing air guitar while listening to “Paranoid” burns calories. If you were at that concert, you probably got 11 hours of cardio in!