The curtain has fallen on heavy metal’s most legendary chapter. On July 5, 2025, heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath delivered his final performance, bringing to a close over five decades of devilish performances and a genre-defining legacy. For the very last time, the band performed at Birmingham’s Villa Park with an epic Back to the Beginning concert, an emotional homecoming and farewell to the gods of metal. The concert was viewed live by billions of fans worldwide via livestream, and social media hasn’t stopped buzzing since.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne bid a final goodbye with Back to the Beginning
The area inside and outside Birmingham’s Villa Park was buzzing with metalheads since noon on July 5, 2025, as their Black Sabbath was about to deliver its last-ever concert. Adding to the already electric atmosphere, the crowd of 40,000 fans inside the venue as American actor and proud metalhead, Jason Momoa, kicked things off.
The concert began with star performers like Mastodon, Rival Sons, David Draiman, and Halestorm, who played short yet high-energy sets, each paying tribute to Black Sabbath with a cover song. Despite tight 15-minute slots and technical hiccups, the energy was too electrifying to dim. Audiences worldwide became mushy as Yungblud made an emotional cameo with a piano version of Changes.
The star-studded farewell to Ozzy Osbourne and his legendary band also featured iconic collaborations, from Alice in Chains and Billy Corgan covering Breaking the Law, to Steven Tyler, Ronnie Wood, and Sammy Hagar’s Walk This Way, and Whole Lotta Love. But it was Guns N’ Roses and Metallica that truly stole the show, although Axl Rose received mixed criticism for his timing.
Taking to the discussion platform, Reddit, some users pointed out Axl Rose’s opening to It’s Alright, calling it “even more grating than he was in his prime,” but others supported the veteran artist for delivering such a powerful performance in his late 70s. One user wrote, “He’ll be 78 this year, older than Ozzy. Gotta cut him some slack.” On the other hand, The Guardian praised Rose for his “surprisingly good voice.”
Ozzy Osbourne leaves billions in tears
The anticipation was at its peak when the lights dimmed and the man of the hour, Ozzy Osbourne, rose from below the stage on a black-winged throne. Despite recent health issues, Ozzy’s voice rang strong, supported by his stellar band members, including Zakk Wylde, Adam Wakeman, Mike Inez, and Travis Barker.
The king of metal delivered some of his most iconic solo hits, including I Don’t Know, Mr. Crowley, Mama I’m Coming Home, and the emotional closer, Crazy Train. Ozzy was visibly moved by the whole experience and at times on the horns of tears as the crowd chanted his name through the night. Hardly anyone in the crowd could hold back their tears last night.
Black Sabbath’s final performance ends in a thunderous but tearful goodbye
After a legendary solo performance of Ozzy, the band, Black Sabbath, delivered its powerful final performance with its timeless songs, including War Pigs, N.I.B., Iron Man, and Paranoid. Bill Ward’s drumming, missed by fans for years, had an unmatched rhythm, and Tony Iommi, despite his prosthetic fingertips, delivered heavy riffs that shook the entire stadium. Geezer Butler, as steady and strong as ever, played a custom bass in Aston Villa’s claret and blue colours.
Back to the Beginning was much more than just a music festival; it was a teary and electrifying goodbye that united generations of metalheads worldwide. For a band that birthed an entire genre, this star-studded sendoff was a historic moment that will live forever!
Read Next: ‘Disturbed’ Singer, David Draiman Booed At Live Concert Of His ‘Back To The Beginning’ Performance