IN REVIEW
BLACK SABBATH - OZZY OSBOURNE
BACK TO THE BEGINNING
VILLA PARK - BIRMINGHAM - 5TH OF JULY 2025
Photo: Ross Halfin
Words: David Weddle
Photos: Ross Halfin
Photos: Ross Halfin
"On any other day that would have been it, but this was no ordinary day. This was an extraordinary day for an extraordinary man and a band that shaped not just a generation but generations."
This day has been a long time coming. Since Back to the Beginning was first advertised, it has been the most talked about metal show in living memory, with more names bandied about in terms of who would be on the final show list. Well now we know; now we have been back to the beginning.
What a ride that was. If you had tried to tell me that I would have been watching bands like Metallica, Guns n Roses, Anthrax, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Mastodon, Rival Sons, and Halestorm sharing the stage in just one day, not a weekend festival, I would have said you were crazy......but that's how it goes.
Anyway, puns aside, the lineup really was crazy.
As we queued to get into Villa Park, there was a sea of people in every direction, all waiting in line to get into the venue. The people had gathered in their masses (sorry, I did it again) to say farewell to not only Ozzy Osbourne but also to the founders of heavy metal Black Sabbath on their home turf.
As we walked through the gates, we were welcomed by a huge inflatable Ozzy under the Aston Villa sign at the Holte end, as well as plenty of food and drink vendors ready and waiting to help the punters quench their thirst before the show.
We took our seats just before 1pm and didn't have long to wait before long-time Ozzy crew member Big Dave took a moment to pay tribute to Ozzy before making way for Hollywood legend and metal mad Jason Mamoa, who took to the mic to introduce himself and to pay his own tribute to Ozzy and Sabbath before the first band of the day took to the stage.
The show kicked off with Mastodon, who, like all acts to come, played some of their own tracks with either an Ozzy or Sabbath cover. Mastodon chose Supernaut and did a cracking job. Next to pick up the baton from Mastodon was Rival Sons, whose Sabbath cover, Electric Funeral, went down a treat with the crowd before they passed that baton on to heavy metal heavyweights Anthrax.
A truly electrifying performance from New York's finest, who belted out Indians as well as a stunning version of Into The Void. Their set was full of energy from Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, Frank Bello, and Jonathan Donais, with Joey Belladonna's stage presence and vocals being as impressive as ever. You could see just how much of a good time he was having by the huge grin on his face. An incredible start to the day, and we were only an hour in.
Thanks to some fancy stage switching techniques, including a revolving stage and meticulous planning, Tom Morello and team managed to keep switchovers really smooth and down to just a few minutes between performers. Next up, the mighty Halestorm belted out a stellar performance of Ozzy classic Perry Mason before the mighty Lamb of God helped to dust off any remaining cobwebs from my old lugs with an in-your-face cover of Sabbath's Children of the Grave. That's it. Nothing else happened, well, apart from a supergroup that featured Lzzy Hale, Jake E. Lee, Nuno Bettencourt, David Ellefson, Mike Bordin, and Adam Wakeman playing a kick-ass version of The Ultimate Sin.
Things were just getting started on the Supergroup front as David Draiman, Jake E. Lee, Dave Ellefson, Mike Bordin, and Adam Wakeman knocked out Shot In The Dark and Sweet Leaf before a real surprise appearance from YUNGBLUD, who joined Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello II, and Adam Wakeman to give one of the performances of the evening. YUNGBLUD really knocked it out of the park lending his unique vocals to Ozzy's hit Changes. It was a real moment for everyone at Villa Park and a pleasure to have witnessed.
What a ride that was. If you had tried to tell me that I would have been watching bands like Metallica, Guns n Roses, Anthrax, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Mastodon, Rival Sons, and Halestorm sharing the stage in just one day, not a weekend festival, I would have said you were crazy......but that's how it goes.
Anyway, puns aside, the lineup really was crazy.
As we queued to get into Villa Park, there was a sea of people in every direction, all waiting in line to get into the venue. The people had gathered in their masses (sorry, I did it again) to say farewell to not only Ozzy Osbourne but also to the founders of heavy metal Black Sabbath on their home turf.
As we walked through the gates, we were welcomed by a huge inflatable Ozzy under the Aston Villa sign at the Holte end, as well as plenty of food and drink vendors ready and waiting to help the punters quench their thirst before the show.
We took our seats just before 1pm and didn't have long to wait before long-time Ozzy crew member Big Dave took a moment to pay tribute to Ozzy before making way for Hollywood legend and metal mad Jason Mamoa, who took to the mic to introduce himself and to pay his own tribute to Ozzy and Sabbath before the first band of the day took to the stage.
The show kicked off with Mastodon, who, like all acts to come, played some of their own tracks with either an Ozzy or Sabbath cover. Mastodon chose Supernaut and did a cracking job. Next to pick up the baton from Mastodon was Rival Sons, whose Sabbath cover, Electric Funeral, went down a treat with the crowd before they passed that baton on to heavy metal heavyweights Anthrax.
A truly electrifying performance from New York's finest, who belted out Indians as well as a stunning version of Into The Void. Their set was full of energy from Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, Frank Bello, and Jonathan Donais, with Joey Belladonna's stage presence and vocals being as impressive as ever. You could see just how much of a good time he was having by the huge grin on his face. An incredible start to the day, and we were only an hour in.
Thanks to some fancy stage switching techniques, including a revolving stage and meticulous planning, Tom Morello and team managed to keep switchovers really smooth and down to just a few minutes between performers. Next up, the mighty Halestorm belted out a stellar performance of Ozzy classic Perry Mason before the mighty Lamb of God helped to dust off any remaining cobwebs from my old lugs with an in-your-face cover of Sabbath's Children of the Grave. That's it. Nothing else happened, well, apart from a supergroup that featured Lzzy Hale, Jake E. Lee, Nuno Bettencourt, David Ellefson, Mike Bordin, and Adam Wakeman playing a kick-ass version of The Ultimate Sin.
Things were just getting started on the Supergroup front as David Draiman, Jake E. Lee, Dave Ellefson, Mike Bordin, and Adam Wakeman knocked out Shot In The Dark and Sweet Leaf before a real surprise appearance from YUNGBLUD, who joined Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello II, and Adam Wakeman to give one of the performances of the evening. YUNGBLUD really knocked it out of the park lending his unique vocals to Ozzy's hit Changes. It was a real moment for everyone at Villa Park and a pleasure to have witnessed.
YUNGBLUD - Photo: Ross Halfin (Kazuyo Horie)
Really hard to believe that things were still only just getting started at that point. And Jack Black's pre-recorded Mr. Crowley was a cracking addition to the proceedings just in time for Alice in Chains's turn to wow the crowd, and that is exactly what they did. Playing Man In The Box and Would? before giving us all a treat with their take on Fairies Wear Boots. Nice one!!
Gojira gave us four tracks, including Stranded and their Black Sabbath cover of choice, Under The Sun. Their efforts paid off, and with the energy in the stadium still electric, it was time for a "Drum Off" between Travis Barker, Chad Smith, and Danny Carey. They competed against each other to Symptom of the Universe, courtesy of Tom Morello, Rudy Sarzo, and the hardest-working man in metal and rock that day, Nuno Bettencourt. Honestly, Nuno should have a medal for the amount he contributed to the event.
Gojira gave us four tracks, including Stranded and their Black Sabbath cover of choice, Under The Sun. Their efforts paid off, and with the energy in the stadium still electric, it was time for a "Drum Off" between Travis Barker, Chad Smith, and Danny Carey. They competed against each other to Symptom of the Universe, courtesy of Tom Morello, Rudy Sarzo, and the hardest-working man in metal and rock that day, Nuno Bettencourt. Honestly, Nuno should have a medal for the amount he contributed to the event.
Ron Wood Photo: Ross Halfin
There was barely time to blink, let alone do anything else. A lot of people had to make a lot of very difficult choices between eating, drinking, bathroom breaks, or rocking out for twelve hours straight. That is a choice that nobody there took lightly, and with good reason. I mean, how do you choose who to miss out of a lineup that you are unlikely to see ever again? However, at the end we were seated, and there was plenty of food, drink, and toilets available, so at least that made things easier for those making a mad dash to the amenities.
If you thought we had had enough surprises, you couldn't be further from the truth. The second Supergroup performances were just about to make an already incredible lineup even more out of this world. Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, K.K. Downing, Adam Jones, Rudy Sarzo, and Danny Carey gave us a heavy-as-hell rendition of Judas Priest's Breaking the Law and Black Sabbath's Snowblind before Sammy Hagar took over the mic from Billy and gave us Flying High and Rock Candy with musical goodness provided by Nuno Bettencourt, Adam Wakeman, Rudy Sarzo, Chad Smith, and Tom Morello.
Sammy Hagar left the stage in safe hands as Papa V Perpetua picked up the vocals for Ozzy's Bark at the Moon. Vernon Reid, Nuno Bettencourt, Adam Wakeman, Rudy Sarzo, and Travis Barker gave it their all before we were all blown away by the next star to enter the lineup. Giving us three epic songs, The Train Kept a Rollin', Walk This Way, and Whole Lotta Love, Steven Tyler's larger-than-life, flamboyant stage persona was captivating. He was joined, quite unbelievably, by Rolling Stones' very own Ronnie Wood for the first track alongside Travis Barker. Rob and Travis left after The Train Kept A Rollin' for Nuno Bettencourt, Tom Morello, Andrew Watt, Rudy Sarzo, and Chad Smith to carry the standard for Walk This Way and Whole Lotta Love. Man, what a blast!!
If you thought we had had enough surprises, you couldn't be further from the truth. The second Supergroup performances were just about to make an already incredible lineup even more out of this world. Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, K.K. Downing, Adam Jones, Rudy Sarzo, and Danny Carey gave us a heavy-as-hell rendition of Judas Priest's Breaking the Law and Black Sabbath's Snowblind before Sammy Hagar took over the mic from Billy and gave us Flying High and Rock Candy with musical goodness provided by Nuno Bettencourt, Adam Wakeman, Rudy Sarzo, Chad Smith, and Tom Morello.
Sammy Hagar left the stage in safe hands as Papa V Perpetua picked up the vocals for Ozzy's Bark at the Moon. Vernon Reid, Nuno Bettencourt, Adam Wakeman, Rudy Sarzo, and Travis Barker gave it their all before we were all blown away by the next star to enter the lineup. Giving us three epic songs, The Train Kept a Rollin', Walk This Way, and Whole Lotta Love, Steven Tyler's larger-than-life, flamboyant stage persona was captivating. He was joined, quite unbelievably, by Rolling Stones' very own Ronnie Wood for the first track alongside Travis Barker. Rob and Travis left after The Train Kept A Rollin' for Nuno Bettencourt, Tom Morello, Andrew Watt, Rudy Sarzo, and Chad Smith to carry the standard for Walk This Way and Whole Lotta Love. Man, what a blast!!
Tom Morello and Steven Tyler - photo Ross Halfin
Jason Mamoa and Steven Tyler - Photo Ross Halfin
That was the last of the Supergroup sets, but the day was far from over. Compere Jason Momoa made his way into the mosh pit for the next act, as the band Pantera was up next and gave us two of their signature songs, Cowboys From Hell and Walk, which really got the crowd going, "RE-SPECT, WALK" resounding around the stadium as the fans got stuck in. The lads did two covers, including Planet Caravan, which they had previously covered in the 1994 number one album Far Beyond Driven, and Electric Funeral. They were followed by Tool, who blasted out a belting version of Hand Of Doom as well as their own Forty Six & 2 and Ænema.
Up next, we saw titans of thrash metal Slayer drowning the place in red lights as they showed us all exactly why they are so widely renowned as a force to be reckoned with in the live music arena.
Giving us a cover of Black Sabbath's Wicked World in-between five of their most iconic tracks, Disciple, War Ensemble, South Of Heaven, Raining Blood, and of course, no Slayer would be complete without Angel of Death. A powerful show that is another tick in the box for iconic metal bands to grace the stage that day. It was like a who's who of the metal world.
As Slayer left the stage, the time was getting closer to Black Sabbath's final performance ever, and while everyone wanted to see them play, I don't think anyone was looking forward to saying goodbye. Luckily we still had giants of heavy rock, Guns n' Roses, to come.
They were just as good as we had hoped; a band of their stature could have easily played a load of their hits but instead stayed true to the whole ethos of the evening. Paying tribute to Black Sabbath, covering four of their songs with passion, and clearly enjoying the night as much as everyone else. Their covers of It's Alright, Never Say Die, Juror's Eye, and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath were awesome, but the highlight, for me at least, was Welcome To The Jungle and Paradise City, which got the crowd really going. From where I was, Axl and the band sounded epic. On any other day that would have been it, but this was no ordinary day. This was an extraordinary day for an extraordinary man and a band that shaped not just a generation but generations.
With that in mind, Metallica was up next.
The atmosphere in Villa Park was incredible as Metallica took to the stage. Whole still in a massive stadium, playing to tens of thousands of people, the more traditional stage set up made for a very old school feel to Metallica's set. There was a feeling of a band just jamming out together and loving it, something you can easily lose a little of when playing in the round.
Playing two Black Sabbath covers, Hole in the Sky and Johnny Blade both of which were great, Metallica really made made their presence known with their own tracks. Opting for some of their older hits which was a nice touch, Creeping Death, For Whom The Bell Tolls, Battery and a face melting performance of Master of Puppets. A set that reminded everyone their exactly why Metallica are as big as they are.
Up next, we saw titans of thrash metal Slayer drowning the place in red lights as they showed us all exactly why they are so widely renowned as a force to be reckoned with in the live music arena.
Giving us a cover of Black Sabbath's Wicked World in-between five of their most iconic tracks, Disciple, War Ensemble, South Of Heaven, Raining Blood, and of course, no Slayer would be complete without Angel of Death. A powerful show that is another tick in the box for iconic metal bands to grace the stage that day. It was like a who's who of the metal world.
As Slayer left the stage, the time was getting closer to Black Sabbath's final performance ever, and while everyone wanted to see them play, I don't think anyone was looking forward to saying goodbye. Luckily we still had giants of heavy rock, Guns n' Roses, to come.
They were just as good as we had hoped; a band of their stature could have easily played a load of their hits but instead stayed true to the whole ethos of the evening. Paying tribute to Black Sabbath, covering four of their songs with passion, and clearly enjoying the night as much as everyone else. Their covers of It's Alright, Never Say Die, Juror's Eye, and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath were awesome, but the highlight, for me at least, was Welcome To The Jungle and Paradise City, which got the crowd really going. From where I was, Axl and the band sounded epic. On any other day that would have been it, but this was no ordinary day. This was an extraordinary day for an extraordinary man and a band that shaped not just a generation but generations.
With that in mind, Metallica was up next.
The atmosphere in Villa Park was incredible as Metallica took to the stage. Whole still in a massive stadium, playing to tens of thousands of people, the more traditional stage set up made for a very old school feel to Metallica's set. There was a feeling of a band just jamming out together and loving it, something you can easily lose a little of when playing in the round.
Playing two Black Sabbath covers, Hole in the Sky and Johnny Blade both of which were great, Metallica really made made their presence known with their own tracks. Opting for some of their older hits which was a nice touch, Creeping Death, For Whom The Bell Tolls, Battery and a face melting performance of Master of Puppets. A set that reminded everyone their exactly why Metallica are as big as they are.
Metallica - Photo by Ross Halfin
|
Metallica - Photo by Ross Halfin
|
There was no doubting the enormity of what the crowd at the sold out Villa Park had just witnessed and been a part of. Bands like Metallica, Guns n' Roses, Slayer, Pantera, and alike don't just drop everything to pay tribute to just anyone. This was a once in a life time event, something that would probably never be seen again, amazing stuff really.
There was still two more acts on the lineup and they were the ones that I personally was looking forward to and dreading in equal measure and for different reasons. I was looking forward to them as who wouldn't want to see Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath rocking out. I was dreading it because I knew that it was the last time and emotions were definitely running wild by that point. We were all witness to a heartfelt tribute to Randy Rhodes from his sister before Ozzy's set and the cheers from the crowd were incredible.
It was time. Ozzy sat centre stage on a black throw, looking every bit the Prince of Darkness that we all know and love. No one in the crowd would have been any less enthusiastic if he wasn't able to sing now or if he would give us one or two songs. But that dude still has it. The unmistakable voice that has helped to shape generations of music lovers is still there. As he gave us a parting gift of I Don't Know, Mr.Crowley, Suicide Solution and a heartwarming rendition of Mama, I'm Coming Home. Ozzy was clearly loving it, playing up to the cameras with that mischievous grin that we all recognise and a twinkle in his eye that says "I'm still here". He finished up with a staple on any Ozzy set list, Crazy Train. Making sure that the crowd went "Fucking crazy".
Outstanding.
Finally the last band of the day. The final performance of Black Sabbath with Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Tony Iommi getting together for one last party and they took us all along for the ride.
Before the band came on there was a video montage from the band's history and then it was time. The words BLACK SABBATH in flames displayed on the back drop lit up the stage area. As Black Sabbath took to the stage, all of the energy and emotions that people had been holding onto throughout the day were let go in a huge wave of cheers.
The band played a short but incredible set. Kicking off with War Pigs, the band sounded phenomenal. They were there for a good time not a long time and they definitely gave us a good time. N.I.B. was the second track before the crowd went crazy for Iron Man.
There was still two more acts on the lineup and they were the ones that I personally was looking forward to and dreading in equal measure and for different reasons. I was looking forward to them as who wouldn't want to see Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath rocking out. I was dreading it because I knew that it was the last time and emotions were definitely running wild by that point. We were all witness to a heartfelt tribute to Randy Rhodes from his sister before Ozzy's set and the cheers from the crowd were incredible.
It was time. Ozzy sat centre stage on a black throw, looking every bit the Prince of Darkness that we all know and love. No one in the crowd would have been any less enthusiastic if he wasn't able to sing now or if he would give us one or two songs. But that dude still has it. The unmistakable voice that has helped to shape generations of music lovers is still there. As he gave us a parting gift of I Don't Know, Mr.Crowley, Suicide Solution and a heartwarming rendition of Mama, I'm Coming Home. Ozzy was clearly loving it, playing up to the cameras with that mischievous grin that we all recognise and a twinkle in his eye that says "I'm still here". He finished up with a staple on any Ozzy set list, Crazy Train. Making sure that the crowd went "Fucking crazy".
Outstanding.
Finally the last band of the day. The final performance of Black Sabbath with Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Tony Iommi getting together for one last party and they took us all along for the ride.
Before the band came on there was a video montage from the band's history and then it was time. The words BLACK SABBATH in flames displayed on the back drop lit up the stage area. As Black Sabbath took to the stage, all of the energy and emotions that people had been holding onto throughout the day were let go in a huge wave of cheers.
The band played a short but incredible set. Kicking off with War Pigs, the band sounded phenomenal. They were there for a good time not a long time and they definitely gave us a good time. N.I.B. was the second track before the crowd went crazy for Iron Man.
Tony Iommi (Photo by Ross Halfin)
|
Geezer Butler (Photo by Ross Halfin)
|
Bill Ward (Photo by Ross Halfin)
|
Ozzy Osbourne (Photo by Ross Halfin)
|
All good things must come to an end and it was that time in proceedings for us to say goodbye. As Ozzy thanked everyone from the bottom of his heart for enabling them to live the lifestyle they were able to lead. Before announcing the final song..... Paranoid.
Awe inspiring, the atmosphere in the stadium was incredible. Emotional, joyful, sad excited all at the same time. The final performance by the founders of heavy metal, Black Sabbath was everything you could possibly want it to be.
As the confetti canons were set off, the band left the stage leaving Ozzy all by himself in the chair in the middle of the stage. Don't worry, wasn't left alone for long. Geezer walked back on stage for an impromptu cake presentation for Ozzy before the stage lights dimmed and we were treated to a stunning fireworks display to top off the day.
There was so much crammed in to that one day that it is hard to process it all. Each band gave their own reasons for thanking Black Sabbath but the overriding thing that everyone said is that they wouldn't be doing what they were doing if it wasn't for Black Sabbath something that I agree with entirely. From the circle pits and beer snakes to the many video messages of support from the likes of Def Leppard, Judas Priest, Ricky Gervais and Elton John, the funny spoof videos that sporadically popped up throughout the day to Slipknot's Sid Wilson DJing between sets to the various charities that the event supported including the proceeds from the official programme going to homeless charity The Big Issue, things that were easily missed if you looked away for too long, that made the day extra special.
Thankyou Ozzy and Black Sabbath for giving us all so much.
Awe inspiring, the atmosphere in the stadium was incredible. Emotional, joyful, sad excited all at the same time. The final performance by the founders of heavy metal, Black Sabbath was everything you could possibly want it to be.
As the confetti canons were set off, the band left the stage leaving Ozzy all by himself in the chair in the middle of the stage. Don't worry, wasn't left alone for long. Geezer walked back on stage for an impromptu cake presentation for Ozzy before the stage lights dimmed and we were treated to a stunning fireworks display to top off the day.
There was so much crammed in to that one day that it is hard to process it all. Each band gave their own reasons for thanking Black Sabbath but the overriding thing that everyone said is that they wouldn't be doing what they were doing if it wasn't for Black Sabbath something that I agree with entirely. From the circle pits and beer snakes to the many video messages of support from the likes of Def Leppard, Judas Priest, Ricky Gervais and Elton John, the funny spoof videos that sporadically popped up throughout the day to Slipknot's Sid Wilson DJing between sets to the various charities that the event supported including the proceeds from the official programme going to homeless charity The Big Issue, things that were easily missed if you looked away for too long, that made the day extra special.
Thankyou Ozzy and Black Sabbath for giving us all so much.
|
|