Tool, Guns N’ Roses, Rival Sons Join Black Sabbath for Last Concert
Rock legends Tool, Guns N’ Roses, and Rival Sons have been recently included in the lineup for Black Sabbath’s ultimate farewell show, set to take place at Villa Park this summer. This iconic trio of acts will join an already impressive roster that includes Metallica, Slayer, Lamb of God, Gojira, and more. As the legendary Black Sabbath prepares to bid adieu with all four original members, this event on July 5th promises to be an electrifying experience of a lifetime, with ticket sales already fully sold out.
The anticipation for a grand finale Black Sabbath show featuring the original lineup has been building for years. In 2022, Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi shared the stage at the closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games, performing classic Sabbath hits such as “Paranoid” and “Iron Man.” While this performance was a thrilling sight for fans, it did not quite satisfy the desire for a complete reunion. Following this, in 2023, Ozzy was scheduled to headline the Power Trip festival in California with heavy hitters like Metallica, Iron Maiden, and AC/DC. Unfortunately, health issues forced him to cancel his appearance, prompting discussions for a potential Sabbath reunion at the festival, which ultimately did not pan out owing to Ozzy’s health concerns and internal band dynamics.
Tony Iommi acknowledged the challenges around organizing a full-fledged Black Sabbath reunion, emphasizing the importance of ensuring all band members are in top form for such a significant event. He expressed concerns about possible health issues and logistical obstacles, mindful of the band’s legacy and reputation. Despite this, the band could not resist the allure of a final performance, leading to the official declaration of the 2025 show at Villa Park, marking the original lineup’s first performance in two decades and ultimately, their swan song.
Even as excitement mounts for this historic occasion, longtime bassist Geezer Butler has given a more pessimistic outlook on the chances of a future Sabbath reunion. Citing Ozzy’s lack of enthusiasm, Butler seems to have tempered expectations for any future collaborative efforts. Nonetheless, the forthcoming Villa Park event promises to be a fitting tribute to the band’s genre-defining legacy, with all proceeds set to be divided equally among Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, underscoring the band members’ commitment to giving back to their community.
With a star-studded guest list that includes legendary bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Pantera, and several others, the Back to the Beginning show will be a not-to-be-missed celebration of heavy metal’s true pioneers. The event will culminate with Ozzy Osbourne taking the stage for his parting performance with Black Sabbath, symbolizing his journey back to his roots in Birmingham, the birthplace of metal. As this unforgettable show draws near, fans of Black Sabbath and rock music in general can look forward to an evening of unparalleled musical excellence and a reverential nod to a bygone era of uncompromising, groundbreaking music.