Yesterday’s all-day extravaganza at Villa Park in Birmingham will be remembered as one of the most historic moments in heavy metal—sold out with 40,000 fans in attendance and pulling 5.8 million livestream viewers globally .
🎸 Who Took the Stage
Hosted by Jason Momoa, with Tom Morello as musical director, the lineup was a heavy-hitting tribute spanning generations:
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Mastodon
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Rival Sons
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Anthrax
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Halestorm
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Lamb of God
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Supergroup A (Judas Priest, Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Halestorm with Ronnie Wood, Yungblud, Jack Black)
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Alice in Chains
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Gojira
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Drum-Off (Chad Smith, Danny Carey, Travis Barker, etc.)
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Supergroup B (Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, Sammy Hagar, Steven Tyler…)
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Pantera
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Tool
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Slayer
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Guns N’ Roses
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Metallica
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Ozzy Osbourne (solo set)
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Black Sabbath (final set)
📀 Standout Moments
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Mastodon kicked off powerfully with “Supernaut,” helped by drumming and vocals from Brann Dailor
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Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale delivered searing performances, while James Hetfield of Metallica offered heartfelt thanks, saying: “Without Sabbath there would be no Metallica”
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Ozzy Osbourne, seated on a gothic throne due to Parkinson's, was emotional yet commanding, performing hits like Mr. Crowley, Crazy Train, and a poignant rendition of Mama, I’m Coming Home
🛑 Final Reunion of the Original Lineup
For the first time in 20 years, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward stood together on stage, closing with Sabbath classics—War Pigs, NIB, Iron Man, and Paranoid. The performance, though brief, was potent—a final nod to their profound impact
🎆 A Legacy Sealed in Fireworks
The event closed with an emotional spectacle—confetti, fireworks, and a sense of closure felt across generations. Critics compared the day to a "Metal Live Aid" for its scope, grandeur, and historic resonance Ozzy’s performance, though constrained by health, showed he still owns that stage—his final bow leaving both artists and fans moved.
🎯 Why It Matters
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This marks Ozzy’s last-ever performance, and likely Black Sabbath’s final full reunion
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The concert supported charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Hospice
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It encapsulated both history and evolution—honoring the past while celebrating metal's future.
In Summary
An unforgettable day. A lineup of legends. A heartfelt farewell from metal’s founding fathers—and Ozzy's final visible roar. Back to the Beginning wasn’t just a concert—it was history’s loudest goodbye.
