Earlier, for his “solo” set, Osbourne was supported by a band that included his longtime post-Sabbath guitarist Zakk Wylde as he sang “I Don’t Know,” “Mr.
“Black Sabbath: we’d all be different people without them, that’s the truth,” said Pantera singer Phil Anselmo.
He delivers both his solo set and the Sabbath set from a throne, and at times he is clearly struggling to hit pitch.
But what a joy to see the original Sabbath foursome – drummer Bill Ward stripped to the waist, alarmingly – if only for four songs.
Downing, Adam Jones, Adam Wakeman, Vernon Reid, Ron Wood, Andrew Watt) Pantera Tool Slayer Guns N’ Roses Metallica Ozzy Osbourne Black Sabbath
On Saturday in the United States, the original Black Sabbath lineup got back together for the first time in 20 years. The K. — and for the very last time, as the performance was concurrently advertised as Ozzy Osbourne’s last concert. Before Osbourne performed a five-song set of his solo material, the Birmingham stadium show culminated with a four-song Sabbath set. This was followed by a full day of metal and hard-rock all-stars performing mini-sets that featured both original and Sabbath covers.
When Osbourne’s winged throne first appeared from beneath the stage, he told the 42,000-strong audience, “You have no idea how good it is to be on this fucking stage.”. “Allow the chaos to start!”.
Due to their collective stamina issues, Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi had previously stated that the group would only be performing four songs. His, Osbourne’s, Geezer Butler’s, and Bill Ward’s performances of “War Pigs,” “NIB,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid” rounded out the ten-hour day at the stadium. After the final song, fireworks were set off over Villa Park, and Osbourne, who was now presumably retired for good, was given a cake.
Earlier, Osbourne sang “I Don’t Know,” “Mr. Crowley,” “Mama I’m Coming Home,” “Suicide Solution,” and “Crazy Train.”. He told the audience that he had been “laid up for six years” before performing “Mama,” and he also said, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”. “”.
Sets by Metallica, Guns N Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Halestorm, Anthrax, Rival Sons, and Mastodon usually included at least one Sabbath or Osbourne cover. They ranged from two to seven songs in length. The Axl Rose-led group performed four Sabbath covers before concluding with two of the band’s original songs, earning them the award for the highest amount of veneration in terms of sheer volume.
A pair of supergroups that featured members like Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Billy Corgan, Ronnie Wood, Travis Barker, Sammy Hagar, Andrew Watt, Yungblud, Jonathan Davis of Korn, Nuno Bettencourt, Chad Smith, Vernon Reid, and numerous others are not included in that list of supporting acts. Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, the official curator of the day’s lineup, was sitting in with one of the supergroups.
Jason Momoa, an actor, hosted the event. He told the audience, “Make some space for me, I’m coming in!” when he wasn’t jumping into the moshpit.
(Scroll down to view video snippets of some of the day’s top acts as well as the full setlists for each performance. ).
The 42,000 people who attended the show at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England, were joined by over 3 million viewers who paid for a livestream, which was somewhat misleading because the stream was roughly two hours behind the live events.
There were not many noticeable problems with the day, but one surprising thing was that Disturbed singer David Draiman was met with both applause and jeers. (Draiman sang covers of “Sweet Leaf” and Osbourne’s solo song “Shot in the Dark” during one of the all-star jams. He boldly asked the audience, “Are we going to begin this?”. It was thought that the singer’s outspoken support of Israel was the reason for the jeering. He recently shared a picture of himself signing artillery shells used by the IDF in its attack on Gaza, with the words “Fuck Hamas,” and congratulated Sharon Osbourne after she demanded that Kneecap’s visas be revoked. “.”.
The fact that Osbourne was seated for this last performance was not surprising. In 2024, Osbourne was seated for his induction as a solo artist into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, despite the fact that he had continued to perform standing in 2022. In recent years, the 76-year-old has been recuperating from both Parkinson’s disease and spinal surgeries. He stated, “I can’t walk, but you know what I was thinking over the holidays? For all my complaining, I’m still alive,” on his SiriusXM radio host this year. “.”.
Osbourne told the Guardian, “I’d love to say ‘never say never,’ but after the last six years or so … it is time,” confirming that this would indeed be his final live performance. The last thing I want is to pass away in a hotel room. I wish to be with my family for the rest of my life. “.”.
In addition, Osbourne had stated that he wished to wrap up both his own career and Sabbath’s legacy. According to many fans, the band’s 1970 debut album signaled the real beginning of heavy metal, and in 1979, he left to pursue a solo career. The final live performance by all four original members occurred in 2005, at the end of the Ozzfest tour, though there have been reunions over the years. Ward was not a part of the band’s post-2005 reunions, but three members had contributed to their last album, “13,” in 2013, and the group performed live for the last time in Birmingham in 2017.
Throughout the day, Osbourne and the band were honored by the all-star cast. Phil Anselmo, a singer for Pantera, stated, “The truth is that without Black Sabbath, we would all be different people.”. Who is better than Black Sabbath? I know I wouldn’t be standing here with a microphone in my hand without them.
“Ozzy, bless his heart, is not what he was,” critic Michael Hann wrote in an almost real-time on-location review of the show for the Guardian. He performs from a throne during both his solo and Sabbath sets, and occasionally it is obvious that he is having trouble hitting the notes. But when he is unable to hit the notes, the audience carries him, and he appears to be deeply moved by his reception. It’s quite touching, and it seems like both he and the audience wish he had been able to perform for longer sets. However, it’s a delight to see the original Sabbath foursome, including drummer Bill Ward, who is frighteningly naked for just four songs. After “Paranoid,” the fireworks start, and that’s it. “”.
The concert’s proceeds will be split between the Birmingham children’s hospital, Cure Parkinson’s, and the Acorns children’s hospice in Birmingham.
From the first act of the day to the grand finale featuring the reunited Black Sabbath, these are the full set lists for the epic Birmingham concert.
mastodon.
Rival sons.
Anthrax.
Halestorm.
Lamb of God.
No. Supergroup. 1 (with David Draiman, Whitfield Crane, Jake E., Nuno Bettencourt, Lzzy Hale, and Yungblud). Adam Wakeman, Scott Ian, Frank Bello, Mike Bordin, David Ellefson, Lee, and Sleep Token II.
Roman Morello, Revel Ian, and Jack Black (pre-recorded video).
Chains’ Alice.
The Gojira.
No. Supergroup. Papa V. Perpetua, Steven Tyler, Tom Morello, Nuno Bettencourt, Rudy Sarzo, Travis Barker, Chad Smith, Danny Carey, K., Billy Corgan, Sammy Hagar, and Papa V. K. . Downing, Vernon Reid, Ron Wood, Andrew Watt, Adam Wakeman, and Adam Jones.
Pantera.
Tool.
Slayer. .
“Guns N’ Roses.”.
Metallica. .
Ozzy Osbourne.
Black Sabbath.
