All hail last Sabbath

Strap: Black Sabbath bows out in Birmingham, bringing five decades of metal to a thunderous close

Blurb: Over 40,000 fans packed into Villa Park to witness the end of an era, while more than two million tuned into the livestream. 

Byline: Debarun Borthakur

On a rain-slicked Saturday night in Birmingham—just a stone’s throw from where it all began—Black Sabbath played their final-ever show, drawing the curtains on a legacy that defined an entire genre. The event, aptly titled Back to the Beginning, was less a concert and more a pilgrimage—a star-studded celebration of the band that birthed heavy metal.

Over 40,000 fans packed into Villa Park to witness the end of an era, while more than two million tuned into the livestream. But as the last notes of Paranoid echoed into the night sky, not everyone felt the closure they were hoping for.

The stream ended with fireworks, confetti, and Ozzy Osbourne bidding farewell from his throne. But notably missing? A final bow from all four original members together. Online, some called the ending “cold,” especially given Sabbath’s towering legacy. Yet what cameras didn’t capture was far more poignant.

As the stadium roared, Tony Iommi walked over to Ozzy, shook his hand, and shared a few private words. Geezer Butler followed, presenting the Prince of Darkness with a farewell cake adorned with his likeness. It was a quiet, touching gesture for the man who could no longer stand, but still stood for five decades of metal history.

The night was a firestorm of tributes. Jason Momoa, heavy metal’s favourite “Aquaman”, emceed the evening. The lineup was packed with royalty—Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, and two all-star supergroups with names like Steven Tyler, Ronnie Wood, Tom Morello, Billy Corgan, and members of Tool, Blink-182, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The energy was unrelenting; the love, loud and overflowing.

Here are five unforgettable moments from the night that will echo in the ears—and hearts—of fans forever.

 

The crowd that shook Aston

It started with a sea of Sabbath shirts lining up before noon, snaking through the streets of Aston like a black tide. By the time Villa Park lit up, it was clear—this wasn’t just a gig. It was a gathering of generations.

With every riff, chant, and headbang, fans proved once again: no one does devotion like metalheads. From teens to greybeards, the atmosphere was volcanic—electric enough to burn a hole in the Midlands sky.

Lamb of God’s face-melting tribute

Lamb of God didn’t just open—they detonated. Their set was pure fire from the first chord, but it was their brutal cover of Children of the Grave that sent shivers down Villa Park’s spine.

It wasn’t just homage. It was a sonic battering ram, delivered with reverence and rage. And yes—it’s been released. Go crank it now.

Jack Black crashes the party (sort of)

No one saw it coming. A kid on keys. The haunting intro of Mr. Crowley. Confused murmurs… and then—Jack Black bursts onscreen, eyes wide, Ozzy wig in place. The crowd roared.

Even without stepping foot on stage, the actor-rocker-comedian stole the spotlight with a surprise cameo that was part cosplay, part comedy, and all heart. Somewhere, Tenacious D high-fived the gods.

Slayer shuts down the naysayers

Thought Slayer’s comeback was just noise? Think again. They tore through their set with venom, proving retirement didn’t dull their edge—it sharpened it.

Circle pits erupted like geysers. And when Kerry King cheekily teased the intro to Wicked World before ripping into a razor-sharp cover, the message was clear: they’re back, and they’re not asking for permission.

Ozzy’s final bow

Forget the fireworks. Forget the confetti. The moment that hit hardest? Ozzy, eyes misted, voice cracking, whispering goodbye. As Paranoid rang out one last time, fans watched through tears as Tony Iommi walked over, gripped Ozzy’s hand, and shared a private word. Geezer Butler handed over a cake bearing the Prince of Darkness himself. It wasn’t cold. It was quiet, real, and full of weight. Ozzy couldn’t stand—but he didn’t need to. He’d already stood for five decades of darkness, riffs, and raw power.