The end of an era arrived on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK, as the original members of BLACK SABBATH reunited one last time to close out the historic “Back To The Beginning” concert. After a full day of tributes, supergroup performances, and Ozzy Osbourne’s emotional solo farewell, the founders of heavy metal took the stage together — for the final time.
Performing in their hometown, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward delivered a short but unforgettable set, marking the true conclusion of BLACK SABBATH’s legendary journey. Here are the four songs they chose to go out on:
1. “War Pigs”
The night began with sirens and one of the most iconic anti-war anthems ever written. Ozzy’s voice rang out across Villa Park as Iommi’s ominous riffs echoed through the crowd. A dramatic and fitting opener to their final chapter.
2. “N.I.B.”
That unmistakable bass intro led straight into a crushing performance of “N.I.B.” Geezer Butler’s tone was thunderous, and Ozzy played the role of the dark antihero with his trademark grin. The chemistry between the original four felt timeless.
3. “Iron Man”
The crowd roared as the robotic “I am Iron Man” echoed from the speakers. SABBATH‘s most famous riff filled the stadium as fans sang every word. Even after all these years, the power of this song — and its meaning to fans — was undeniable.
4. “Paranoid”
Of course, they closed with the song that introduced them to the world. Fast, furious, and flawless, “Paranoid” had the entire venue on its feet. Ozzy thanked the crowd, waved goodbye, and the lights dimmed on BLACK SABBATH… forever.
The End, For Real
This wasn’t just a concert. It was a farewell from the band that created an entire genre — the final curtain call from the godfathers of heavy metal in the city where it all began.
Some of the footage and photos from SABBATH‘s final show are available below.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.