As BLACK SABBATH prepares for one final bow, bassist Geezer Butler is grappling with the immense emotional and psychological weight of the legendary band’s farewell performance. The iconic heavy metal pioneers are set to reunite in their original lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—on July 5th at Birmingham’s Villa Park for a one-night-only event aptly named “Back to the Beginning.”
While fans are eagerly anticipating the historic send-off, Butler admits the pressure is already creeping into his subconscious. “I’m already having palpitations,” he revealed in a recent interview with The Guardian. “In fact, I had a nightmare last night. I dreamed everything went wrong on stage, and we all turned to dust.”
For Butler, the dream wasn’t just a fleeting anxiety—it was a reflection of what’s at stake. “It’s important that we leave a great impression,” he said. “Since it’s the final time that people will experience us live, it has to be great on the night.”
In the same interview, BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi admitted that he was initially opposed to the idea of the band’s final concert. As one of the pioneering figures in heavy metal, Iommi’s reservations about ending BLACK SABBATH’s story with a farewell show stemmed from his reluctance to follow the footsteps of other bands who made similar promises, only to break them later with return tours.
“I’m the one that said, ‘I don’t know if we should do it,’ because we did a farewell tour and I didn’t want to get into that thing like all the other bands are doing, saying it’s the last tour and then reappearing again,” Iommi explained. He was concerned about the credibility of making a “final” concert, only to see other groups doing the same after claiming it was their last tour.
Despite his initial doubts, Iommi revealed that the event, now set for July 5, 2025, in Birmingham, England, eventually convinced him. “I’ve been convinced, because we’re doing it for a reason… No one’s getting paid or anything,” he shared. BLACK SABBATH’s last concert, titled Back to the Beginning, won’t just be a celebration of the band’s legacy—it will also serve a charitable cause. The event will raise funds for Parkinson’s and children’s charities, adding a meaningful dimension to the band’s farewell.
Given Ozzy Osbourne‘s ongoing health struggles, including Parkinson’s and multiple spinal surgeries, the “Back to the Beginning” endeavor presents a significant challenge. Iommi expressed uncertainty about his bandmate’s ability to withstand the demands of performing.
“I think Ozzy might be on some kind of throne,” he said, “but I’m in the dark as much as anybody else.”
The concert will feature the original lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—reuniting for a once-in-a-lifetime show. The performance will also include a star-studded lineup, with appearances from METALLICA, SLAYER, PANTERA, GUNS N’ ROSES, TOOL, GOJIRA, ALICE IN CHAINS, HALESTORM, LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX, MASTODON and more.
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