A Monumental Night at Villa Park: July 5, 2025
On July 5, 2025, Villa Park in Birmingham—the birthplace of Black Sabbath—played host to a historic farewell: “Back To The Beginning”, the final concert ever by Black Sabbath. This all-day mega-event, curated by Tom Morello, not only featured the band’s original lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—on stage together for the first time in 20 years, but also drew in a breathtaking assembly of rock and metal giants to pay homage to the founders of heavy metal (MusicRadar, NME).
Spanning roughly 10 hours, this festival-meets-finale event captivated both a 40,000-strong live audience and an online peak of around 5.8 million viewers worldwide (enidlive.com). It was more than a concert—it was a pilgrimage to metal’s roots.
Charity at the Core
Proceeds were evenly divided among three local charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice. By the end of the night, the event had raised an astonishing £140 million to support critical healthcare and emotional services in the region (MusicRadar).
Ozzy’s Triumphant Return
At 76, Ozzy Osbourne has battled significant health challenges—multiple spinal surgeries and Parkinson’s disease—but he made a triumphant return on his throne. He delivered two powerful sets: a solo collection of fan favourites and a reunion set with Black Sabbath’s original lineup (enidlive.com).
From his gothic, bat-winged throne, Ozzy performed “I Don’t Know,” “Crazy Train,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” and “Mr. Crowley,” finally joining Sabbath for deep cuts like “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” and the timeless “Paranoid” (enidlive.com). Despite being seated and relying on his voice, his presence was electrifying—a testament to his resilience.
Metal’s Greatest Tributes: Metallica, GNR, Tool and More
Tool
Tool delivered a spiritual highlight, embracing Sabbath’s 1970 gem “Hand Of Doom” within their set. They began with their own staples “Forty Six & 2” and “Ænema,” then dove into Sabbath with reverence—a powerful focal point of their ~15-minute performance (Chaoszine, WTYE / WTAY).
They also participated in a multi-drummer spectacular: Tool’s Danny Carey joined Mastodon’s Brann Dailor, Slipknot’s Eloy Casagrande, and Gojira’s Mario Duplantier for an extended drum circle during Mastodon’s cover of “Supernaut” (NME). This crescendo of percussion, featuring Tom Morello, Nuno Bettencourt, and Rudy Sarzo, added thunder and gravitas to the day’s proceedings (American Songwriter).
Guns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses aimed high with a quartet of Sabbath covers: “It’s Alright” (Technical Ecstasy, 1976), “Never Say Die,” “Junior’s Eyes,” and the show-stopper “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” (BLABBERMOUTH.NET). Axl Rose led the tribute, reflecting on the significance of such deep cuts.
They followed with their classics (“Welcome To The Jungle” and “Paradise City”), closing their six-song set on an epic high (BLABBERMOUTH.NET).
Metallica
Metallica, standing on the verge of the Sabbath finale, offered an emotionally resonant set. They opened with a return to Sabbath with “Hole in the Sky” (Sabotage, 1975) and then debuted a live version of “Johnny Blade” (Never Say Die!, 1978)—a first-time performance (American Songwriter).
Adding personal tribute, James Hetfield haltingly thanked Sabbath before rolling into classics like “Creeping Death,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Battery,” and “Master of Puppets,” delivering one of the evening’s most stirring moments (Chaoszine).
Other Pillars of the Day
- Pantera kicked things off with pit-worthy covers: “Planet Caravan” and “Electric Funeral” (93.3 WMMR).
- Slayer unleashed ferocity with their originals and Sabbath’s “Wicked World” (Chaoszine).
- Gojira and Alice in Chains each infused distinct modern metal sounds into classics like “Under the Sun” and “Fairies Wear Boots” (Wikipedia).
- Supergroups, led by Tom Morello, featured members from Smashing Pumpkins, Steven Tyler, Billy Corgan, Ronnie Wood, and others. Their jam of Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” and Sabbath’s “Believer” elevated the communal spirit (Wikipedia).
- Jack Black paid tribute via video to Ozzy’s “Mr. Crowley,” featuring Tom Morello’s son Roman on guitar (EW.com).
Historical Reunions Backstage
Beyond the music, backstage moments of reconciliation and camaraderie made headlines. Ozzy met Axl Rose for the first time, calling him “an utter gentleman” (People.com). James Hetfield and Axl shared a warm reunion—closing a rift dating back to the early ’90s .
An Emotional Global Response
Fans responded with overwhelming emotion. Social media and comments captured tears of joy, nostalgia, and grateful farewells. One Guardian reader wrote, “I’m crying just remembering it,” capturing the communal catharsis that unfolded (The Guardian).
The Ultimate Legacy
By night’s end, the event seamlessly balanced spectacle and substance:
- Historical Significance: Original lineup reunited after two decades.
- Charitable Impact: A monumental £140 million raised (MusicRadar).
- Musical Homage: Legends united for Sabbath’s music in heartfelt tribute.
- End of an Era: Ozzy’s definitive farewell from live performance.
As Sharon Osbourne remarked earlier this year, the show was conceived to give Ozzy a purpose and a meaningful farewell in the city that birthed metal (EW.com, People.com).
Final Thoughts
“Back To The Beginning” transcended traditional concert boundaries. It stood as a cultural moment—the ultimate thank-you, reunion, celebration, and farewell rolled into one. It was a showcase of heavy metal’s past, present, and future: founding pioneers, giants influenced by them, and a global audience united in one magnificent gathering.
From Tool’s haunting doom to Guns N’ Roses’ deep-dive tributes, and Metallica’s seismic covers, every second resonated with legacy and love. Ozzy’s defiant throne, the original quartet’s final bow, and over £140 million raised sealed it as a once-in-a-lifetime legacy.
August 2025 will see the premiere of Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now, a documentary detailing the event’s creation—another legacy piece to commemorate a night when the gods of metal reclaimed their crown one last time .
Few events in music history will ever eclipse “Back To The Beginning.” It wasn’t just a concert—it was the grand finale of heavy metal history. A chromatic farewell that echoed far beyond Birmingham, and beyond time.
