Black Sabbath to Hold Final Concert 'Back To The Beginning' in Birmingham on July 5, 2025
Black Sabbath is set to take the stage one final time at the grand event "Back To The Beginning" on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Aston, Birmingham. This historic concert will feature the original lineup of the legendary band: Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward.
This farewell performance marks a significant moment as it's expected to be the last live appearance of the Prince of Darkness himself. Ozzy Osbourne expressed his sentiments, saying, "It's time for me to go back to the beginning... time to pay tribute to the place where I was born. How lucky I am to do it with the people I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham forever."
The event promises an unforgettable experience, with support from iconic bands inspired by Black Sabbath's pioneering of heavy metal. The lineup includes Metallica, Lamb of God, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Alice in Chains, Mastodon, Halestorm, and Anthrax. Adding to the excitement, the finale will feature a star-studded group comprising Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Jonathan Davis (Korn), Wolfgang Van Halen, and many others. Tom Morello will also serve as the musical director for the event, remarking that this one-day extravaganza will be "the greatest heavy metal show of all time."
All proceeds from the show will be donated to Birmingham charities, namely Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorn Children's Hospice. This gesture underscores the band's commitment to giving back to the community that shaped them.
Sharon Osbourne highlighted the significance of this concert, stating, "He won't be touring anymore, but we're planning to do two more concerts to say goodbye properly. We will do it at Aston Villa, which is Ozzy's home. His voice is still absolutely perfect."
This marks Ozzy Osbourne's first full performance since 2018, following several health challenges in recent years. Despite these obstacles, he remains determined to return to the stage. "He's doing really well," Sharon shared. "He's so excited to be back with the guys on stage and all his friends. It's thrilling for everybody."
The "Back To The Beginning" show not only serves as a farewell to fans but also brings a sense of closure to Black Sabbath's illustrious career. Reflecting on this, Ozzy mentioned in an interview with Rolling Stone UK in 2023, "I'm not going to go out there and be a sick Ozzy looking for sympathy. What's the point in that? I won't go out there in a wheelchair."
This monumental event comes at a time when classic heavy metal acts are gracing UK stadiums, with Iron Maiden set to perform at London Stadium just a week prior. The return of Black Sabbath to their hometown promises to be a fitting tribute to their legacy and a celebration of the genre they helped define.
