The “Back to the Beginning” festival, held on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, was a historic celebration of heavy metal royalty. Marking Ozzy Osbourne‘s final live performance and paying tribute to Black Sabbath’s unmatched legacy, the 10-hour mega-event featured some of the biggest names in rock and metal: METALLICA, SLAYER, PANTERA, GUNS N’ ROSES, TOOL, GOJIRA, and ALICE IN CHAINS, among many others. Yet, despite the massive lineup and emotional send-off, one high-profile absence loomed large—SOUNDGARDEN.
Announced, Then Vanished
Back in May, Sharon Osbourne told The Guardian that the surviving members of SOUNDGARDEN would appear at the festival, hinting at a special reunion. The announcement immediately generated buzz, with fans speculating who might front the band in place of the late Chris Cornell.
But in the days leading up to the show, fans noticed something strange: SOUNDGARDEN’s name quietly disappeared from official festival materials and broadcast listings. When the event concluded without any mention of the band, confusion turned to speculation.
Sharon Osbourne: “I Pulled a Band From the Event”
In an earlier interview with Metal Hammer, Sharon revealed that she had cut one band from the lineup after a dispute with the group’s manager. “I had a huge, huge to-do with a manager over this celebration for Ozzy and SABBATH,” she said. “And it was probably the worst way I’ve felt in years. And I don’t care what this person says about me, thinks about it, because he doesn’t know me. And he’s now going around making up bulls**t lies because I threw his band off the bill.”
She later elaborated on the situation in a Billboard interview, revealing that the band had asked to be paid for their appearance—something Sharon said went against the spirit of the event. “They wanted to make a profit,” she said bluntly. “And it’s not the time to make a profit. After the show, I’ll let everybody know who it was. I think people will be shocked.”
Though she did not name the band, Sharon clarified that it wasn’t IRON MAIDEN, putting to rest fan theories fueled by her long-standing tension with MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson. Other guesses—such as TOOL or MEGADETH—have also been publicly denied. Kelly Osbourne even chimed in on Instagram, responding “Nope! Not him!” to speculation about Dave Mustaine’s band.
Was Soundgarden the Band Sharon Referred To?
While there’s been no official confirmation, all signs seem to point to SOUNDGARDEN as the band that was pulled. Alternative Nation reported on growing fan theories online, many of which placed the blame on the band’s exclusion squarely on behind-the-scenes legal or financial tensions. One fan wrote on Reddit: “I think they were one of the bands that got dropped, and we all know who’s to blame for that.” Another speculated that Chris Cornell’s widow, Vicky Cornell, may have demanded payment for the use of the band’s name and material.
Adding to the frustration, some fans claimed they bought tickets specifically in the hope of seeing a rare Soundgarden reunion. “I’m disappointed and heartbroken,” one attendee posted. “And even more angry that they kept this from us.”
The Only Absence That Still Echoes
While scheduling conflicts led to a few other quiet lineup adjustments—Wolfgang Van Halen, for example, bowed out due to prior commitments—SOUNDGARDEN remains the only band that was formally announced, then mysteriously erased without explanation.
Sharon has promised to eventually reveal who was pulled from the bill, but until that moment comes, SOUNDGARDEN’s no-show remains the biggest unanswered question of an otherwise unforgettable night in heavy metal history.
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.