In what promises to be a watershed moment for heavy metal, Black Sabbath‘s original lineup will reunite for their final performance at Birmingham’s Villa Park on July 5. The announcement marks a poignant homecoming for the band, who haven’t shared a stage together in two decades.
The event, dubbed “Back to the Beginning,” will see Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward return to their roots in Birmingham, where they forged their signature sound in the late 1960s. The performance holds particular significance as it represents Osbourne’s final live appearance, amid his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The supporting lineup spans four decades of metal evolution. Metallica, fresh from their groundbreaking M72 World Tour, brings their technically precise thrash metal. Slayer, emerging from retirement for this special occasion, represents the more extreme end of the spectrum. The reformed Pantera, carrying forward Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul’s legacy, adds their groove-heavy sound to the mix.
French progressives Gojira will showcase their environmentally conscious metal, while Alice In Chains carries the torch for grunge’s heavier elements. Grammy winners Halestorm, fronted by Lzzy Hale, bring their powerful modern rock sensibilities. The bill continues with Lamb of God‘s precise metalcore, Anthrax‘s thrash metal heritage, and Mastodon‘s progressive complexity.
A specially assembled supergroup features an extraordinary collection of rock luminaries. The Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan and Disturbed’s David Draiman represent alternative metal’s commercial breakthrough. Guns N’ Roses veterans Duff McKagan and Slash add their hard rock credentials, while Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst brings nu-metal flavor to the mix. The collaboration extends to include Korn’s Jonathan Davis, legendary guitarist Jake E Lee, and former Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing.
The supergroup’s lineup continues with Faith No More’s Mike Bordin, virtuoso bassist Rudy Sarzo, and rock veteran Sammy Hagar. Modern metal is represented by Ghost’s Papa V Perpetua and Sleep Token‘s mysterious II. The ensemble is rounded out by Wolfgang Van Halen and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, who serves as the event’s music director.
“Birmingham is the true home of metal,” Osbourne reflected in a prepared statement, his words carrying the weight of a career spanning over five decades. The choice of Villa Park adds another layer of symbolism, situated mere kilometres from the industrial neighbourhood where Black Sabbath first rehearsed.
All profits will benefit three local institutions: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice, reflecting the band’s enduring connection to their hometown community. Tickets go on sale February 14 through Ticketmaster and Live Nation, with unprecedented demand expected for what could be heavy metal’s most significant gathering in recent memory.
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