When Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne announced the biggest of retirement parties in the shape of Back To The Beginning, the metal world knew it was going to be a momentous occasion. But truly, none of us, not even the Prince Of Darkness himself, could have fully prepared for what was to come on July 5th 2025 at Villa Park; The home of Geezer Butler’s beloved Aston Villa, and a key part of Birmingham, original stomping grounds for the four young men who would go on to become Black Sabbath.
Walking up to Villa Park in the morning, the atmosphere is like nothing any of us have ever experienced before a gig. There’s such a range of emotions in the air. It is like heavy metal Christmas has arrived, tinged with sadness at the impending goodbye, but also with pure joy at the fact that Ozzy Osbourne is getting the on stage farewell he always wanted. The one downside to the day is that the catering inside Villa Park is absolute shit – but I think pretty much every one of the 40,000 plus inside the sold out stadium would’ve gone without food or drink all day to be present for the event to end all events. Metal live aid, or perhaps the Freddie Mercury tribute show at Wembley Stadium, are the only comparisons that seem either apt or fair.
The pre-party starts around midday with Sid Wilson, aka DJ Starscream, aka #0 in Slipknot and most recently Mr Kelly Osbourne on the DJ decks, where he returns on and off throughout the entire event, spinning and mixing tunes for our collective enjoyment. (A massive congratulations to Sid and Kelly, who got engaged backstage following the end of Back To The Beginning – another wonderful happening in a day full of them).
In terms of bands, Mastodon (8) are given the daunting job of opening Back To The Beginning. It’s a job the Atlanta natives are more than up to, launching straight into Black Tongue. They welcome everyone to Back To The Beginning before announcing their biggest track, Blood and Thunder, to a rousing reception. Being the first band of the day, Mastodon also have the honour of doing the first Black Sabbath cover. The prospect of Mastodon doing Supernaut under any circumstances is an enticing one. However when you add in Mario Duplantier of Gojira, Eloy Casagrande of Slipknot / Ex Sepultura, and Tool drum mastermind Danny Carey on extra sets of drums, it just sets the tone for what is to come throughout this remarkable day. A fantastic start! JG
Sandwiched between the technical ecstasy of Mastodon and the metal thrashing madness of Anthrax. Blues rock revivalists, Rival Sons (8) find themselves in some exhalted company today. Having supported Black Sabbath on The End tour in 2017, it’s nothing the rockers from Long Beach can’t handle though. A point vocalist Jay Buchanan is only too happy to prove. As he struts his way through their opening track, Do Your Worst like the unrequited lovechild of Robert Plant. To the delight of all on attendance. Their cover version of Sabbath classic, Electric Funeral goes down equally well too. Being delivered with just the right mix of doom laden admiration and rock and roll swagger. Before Rival Sons bring it all home with Secret. Cementing their position among the other legends on today’s bill.
We have three members of the vaunted big four of thrash with us at Back To The Beginning; first up are Anthrax (8). Taking a different approach to the other bands who squeeze in two of their own songs before hitting their Sabbath cover, Anthrax launch into the full Indians, which clocks in at almost seven minutes long. It goes down like a house on fire, with Joey Belladonna on friends on very good form. This does leave us no time for Caught In A Mosh (or anything else) before Anthrax’s turn to take on a Black Sabbath classic. This time it’s the mesmerising Into The Void which gets the cover treatment, which Anthrax do in style to their credit. As it’s only two songs, it feels like Anthrax’s contribution is over as quickly as it began, but it was fun while it lasted! JG
Ozzfest veterans, Lamb of God (9) have always been a force to be reckoned with. A fact which has never been more evident than it is today. As the band launch into Laid to Rest with such ferocity that it threatens to shake the foundations of Villa Park itself. What was once a football pitch immediately becomes a warzone of circle pits and flailing limbs. Which only increases in intensity as the band careen straight into Redneck.
Lamb of God have one last trick left up their sleeve though. A devastating cover of Children of the Grave that sounds more like it belongs on Sacrament than Master of Reality. Randy Blythe seems laser focused and energised beyond anything we’ve ever seen as he prowls the stage like some kind of predator. The entire audience gripped firmly in the palm of his hand as he barks Ozzy’s lyrics in his own unique cadence. Breathing new venom into every line. Nothing held back. Even his shoes apparently, which he hurls into the crowd after the songs climax. They’d taken one too many walk in hell, clearly. JL
Flying the flag for the women of rock and metal everywhere, as the only woman announced on the line up ahead of time Lzzy Hale may have felt some pressure on her shoulders. Whether she did or not, Halestorm (8) were absolutely on fire for their short set. Opening (as they absolutely should’ve done) with Love Bites (So Do I), it’s the perfect mood setter and gets everyone in the place onboard instantly. Halestorm are also clearly the bravest band playing Back To The Beginning, as they take the opportunity to debut a brand new song from their upcoming album Everest called Rain Your Blood On Me. It’s ballsy as f***, and it totally pays off. You’d never know that no one in the place had heard it judging by the reaction it got – and bodes well for the album. Throwing in a beautiful curve ball, Halestorm are the first band to cover Ozzy rather than Black Sabbath. They do it in absolute style, choosing cult favourite Perry Mason which is a stroke of genius; The song, especially the huge chorus, fits Lzzy’s vocals so well. It is absolutely thunderous, and a very strong contender for cover of the day, perhaps only getting beaten by the next band on stage. Lzzy, you did the women of rock everywhere very proud. JG
Next up comes the first appearance of what for many was one of the most intriguing propositions on all of today’s bill. Tom Morello’s All-Stars (8), as they’re billed, sees a bevy of rock & metal royalty assembled by the RATM axeman and today’s musical director take to the stage to crank out some seriously star-studded Sabbath and Ozzy covers. First up, a core band comprised of ex-Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, Faith No More and ex-Ozzy drummer Mike Bordin and Sabbath/Ozzy keyboardist Adam Wakeman emerge alongside a returning Lzzy Hale and the frankly insane guitar pairing of Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt (low-key one of the whole day’s MVPs given how much work the shredder puts in across the bill) and Bark at the Moon/The Ultimate Sin-era axeman Jake E. Lee to blast out the title track from the latter (once Jake found his way on stage). It goes without saying really that this absolutely RULES; Hale’s gritty vocals and ever-impressive screams prove a perfect fit for the much loved anthem, and Lee’s guitar work is stellar for a man literally still recovering from being shot three times last year, even if it means he isn’t able to play ‘Bark…’ on this occasion.
Less well-received however, is Hale’s introduction of Disturbed’s David Draiman, who receives the only boos of the entire show for reasons fairly obvious to anyone who’s seen THAT image on social media as he joins in for some serviceable, if far less exhilarating renditions of Shot in the Dark and Sweet Leaf (the latter seeing Lee swapped for a returning Scott Ian). Excitement quickly returns though, as Whitfield Crane of Ugly Kid Joe fame takes his place on the mic alongside Anthrax’s Frank Bello and brilliantly, the fully-costumed Sleep Token drummer extraordinaire II in one of the most WTF visuals of the day thus far, for Diary of a Madman-era deep cut Believer.
It all comes to a close though, with not just the most impressive showing of the segment, but arguably one of the best of the whole show as Yungblud makes a surprise appearance to perform an utterly show-stopping rendition of beloved Sabbath ballad Changes – dedicated to the memory of footballer Diogo Jota whose tragic passing was announced just two days prior. Glancing around as the young star performs, it’s clear to see just how impressed the assembled masses are, and Yungblud has surely earned himself some new fans off the back of such a moving performance. (JFW)
Representing mainland Europe at Back To The Beginning, Gojira (9) are treated to a heroes welcome and immediately show to the uninitiated exactly why they are so high up on this line up. The combination of Stranded and Silvera almost shaking the foundations of Villa Park (or maybe that was just Jason Momoa limbering up for the Pantera circle pits later on). If that’s not enough, Joe Duplantier announces a real treat in the shape of Mea Culpa, the song they performed as part of the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony. They’ve even brought their Olympic co-conspirator soprano Marina Viotti along for the occasion – and the whole thing sounds absolutely magnificent. Looking visibly nervous, Joe introduces their Sabbath cover (“This is the first time, maybe the only time!”) – Under The Sun from Volume 4. They were never going to screw it up – and they don’t. Twenty minutes of metal that is so worthy of a salute to the legends of the day. JG
Having cancelled every appearance this year except for today’s show. Seattle grunge royalty, Alice in Chains (8) and the status of their drummer, Sean Kinney have both been the subject of a great deal of debate over the last few weeks. Thankfully however, whatever medical issues have been plaguing him recently, Sean appears to be just fine as he counts the band in for their opening track, Man in the Box. William Duvall seems to be having the time of his life too, swaggering up and down the stage as he trades vocals with Jerry Cantrell. Who remains every bit as cool, calm and collected as ever they work their way into Would? Allowing bassist Mike Inez to take the lead.
As with all of today’s artists, the big question on everyone’s mind is, what Sabbath cover do they have in store? Alice in Chains aren’t about to let the side down either. “We’re all just a bunch of headbanging, riff-loving freaks,” Duvall tells the crowd. Before treating us to a rendition of upbeat acid trip, Fairies Wear Boots. With a little dash of the band’s signature Seattle sludge woven in for good measure of course. Adding yet another entry to the day’s already exhaustive list of memorable moments. JL
If Supergroup A’s line-up of legends didn’t give you enough “Oh my god, is this really happening!” vibes, then Supergroup B (8) surely melted your face off with even more “Let’s go crazy!” collaborations.
Supergroup B was armed with the big guns. From Tom Morello, Adam Jones and K. K. Downing, to Nuno Bettencourt, Vernon Reid, Ronnie Wood and Andrew Watt on guitars. Rudy Sarzo on bass; Danny Carey, Chad Smith and Travis Barker on drums plus, Adam Wakeman on keyboards. Meanwhile, vocal duties were split amongst an equally as thrilling line-up complete with the vocal talents of Billy Corgan, Sammy Hagar, Steven Tyler and Papa V Perpetua in their ranks.
Whether it was the iconic riffs of Judas Priest classic ‘Breaking The Law’ with K.K Downing leading the charge, ‘Snowblind’ Billy Corgan style, the mega vocals of Steven Tyler on ‘Walk This Way’ and ‘Whole Lotta Love’, Sammy Hagar ‘Flying High Again’ or Papa V Perpetua bringing full on “main character energy” for ‘Bark At The Moon’, Supergroup B ripped their way through a spectacular homage of Sabbath, Ozzy and Rocked up numbers. Horns up if you’d like a sequel, because we would. CF
Another name from Ozzfests past and reunions present. Pantera (9) hit every bit as hard as you might imagine. Just not quite where you might think. There’s no denying this iteration of the band has the chops to tear the roof off a venue with the best of them. Wth the allure of a double helping of Cowboys From Hell and Walk proving even too much for Aquaman to resist. Who runs for the mosh pit himself. Those hoping for a rare chance to see Pantera’s version of Planet Caravan aren’t disappointed either. With the mellow cover providing a small five minute oasis of calm after the storm.
The hardest hitting moment of their set isn’t necessarily accompanied by the squeal of Zakks guitar, or the punch of Charlie Benante’s kick drum though. For us, it’s Phil Anselmo, of all people. Taking a rare reflective moment who sums up the day perfectly- “I mean, Black Sabbath. We’d all be different people without them. That’s the truth.” He muses reverently. Going on to posit he wouldn’t be up on stage today without them and nor would many of his peers. Then adds with absolute sincerity- “It’s a tough thing to say, the greatest of all time, but man… Black Sabbath. Who’s greater?”. Raising his arms as if respectfully looking for suggestions. Like he was going to get any other answer from today’s crowd. Still, it’s enough to make us wonder. Where would any of us be without them? JL
Tool (8) out in the open air? In broad daylight, with no stage production to hypnotise and mesmerise with? What year is it? Because if you told us it was 2001 again when Justin Chancellor kicks off Forty Six & 2, we’d probably believe you. They may be without their bells and whistles today, but Tool sound like every bit the progressive metal powerhouse they are too. Especially during their cover of Hand of Doom. Where, much like Lamb of God before them, they put their own spin on the Black Sabbath favourite. Making for a truly memorable moment.
With the Tool Army checking their watches to see what Maynard and the rest of the band will be able to squeeze into their remaining time. The staccato opening riff of Ænema answers their question for them. Ringing out around Villa Park as guitarist Adam Jones takes the drivers seat, riding the wave of percussion provided by Danny Carey. A man who has yet again earned his title as the hardest working drummer in rock today. Taking us all on one last ride and bringing their set to a suitably triumphant conclusion.
The return of Slayer (9) to UK shores for Back To The Beginning (and their two day festival events) for the first time since their retirement in 2019 added yet another emotional dimension to the day. As those opening notes to Disciple hit, and the unmistakable beaming smile of Tom Araya, looking more than ever like a heavy metal Santa Claus, it was clear they’ve just picked back up where they stopped in 2019. Having very much “gone out on top”, they’ve returned at the same level.
“Are you ready, for WAR?!” cries Tom, as Kerry King’s tattooed chrome dome riffs away opposite a delighted Gary Holt (AJ Styles long lost twin brother?). Circle pits are springing up faster than you can say Black Sabbath throughout. Which makes the juxtaposition of Slayer transitioning into Wicked World of all Sabbath songs almost funny in the best possible way. It’s absolutely not what you’d expect – but somehow it works – and then it transitions into South Of Heaven! Time runs short, but then it almost stands still as Paul Bostaph thunders one of the most well known drum refrains across the home of Aston Villa; Raining Blood has returned to Birmingham. It is glorious. We don’t quite get the full thing – but it feeds immediately into Angel Of Death, at which point various people in the circle pits look like they’ve transcended to another plane of existence. It was THAT good. We missed you Slayer. If you can stay this good, don’t you dare go away again. JG
Unfortunately. It’s around this point that the quality takes perhaps the only real nose dive of the day. Just twelve days ago the seven-piece behemoth that is Guns N’ Roses (4) in 2025 were headlining this very stadium as part of their ongoing world tour, in a show that proved rather impressive given the band’s patchy live output since their 2016 classic lineup “reunion”. And whilst today sees a more stripped-back version of the LA veterans minus keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Melissa Reese crank out a mere six songs (including four Sabbath cuts) versus their usual three-hour epics, that feels like a blessing of sorts given the unfortunate state of one W. Axl Rose. Where at that show he was fairly solid, this occasion sees the return of the strangled cat on helium/Mickey Mouse/Herbert-from-Family-Guy/Towelie-from-South-Park soundalike Axl we’ve all come to dread.
Making things worse is the fact that the band seem to have picked a set almost entirely reliant on his diminished higher vocal range, rather than that still-mostly-solid low end normally found on the likes of Mr Brownstone. Whilst an opening piano-led version of It’s Alright is certainly an interesting pick for a show mostly based around the power of riffs and perhaps an apt title, it might actually be the only time you could describe this set as such. A trio of Sabbath cuts including Never Say Die, ultra-rarity Junior’s Eyes and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath complete the band’s tribute efforts but, to put it bluntly, Rose sounds completely off both vocally and at points timing-wise pretty much throughout, which is a tragedy considering how good the instrumental quartet of guitarists Slash and Richard Fortus, bassist Duff McKagan and newly-recruited drummer Isaac Carpenter sound jamming the backbone of these tracks. It’s enough to make you yearn for the days when Slash’s solo band still performed GNR material, just to hear something vaguely approximating in-tune vocals.
Not even a closing pairing of bona-fide GNR classics Welcome To The Jungle and Paradise City can rescue things on this occasion, as Rose seems unable to hit almost any correct notes, and anyone present for the band’s prior show here is surely left baffled as to how far things have fallen in the span of a few days as the band leave the stage. A bit of a damp squib then, to put things lightly, and one certainly not helped by both the stunning Slayer set preceding them and things still to come. JFW
Fortunately after the GnR debacle, Metallica (9) arrive to get the show back on track. They of course, being Metallica, do way more than that, opening with a Sabbath cover. But it’s not the Sabbra Caddabra everyone expects courtesy of Garage Inc, it’s a fantastic rendition of Hole In The ****ing Sky! Having all grown up on a diet of Black Sabbath, and having first toured with the Prince Of Darkness almost 40 years ago, it is obvious what this means to all four members of Metallica, but especially frontman James Hetfield. Having shown off their Sabbath chops, ‘Tallica crack on with an utterly thunderous rendition of Creeping Death that has the entire place bellowing every word from the golden circle to the very back row of the Holte End. Seemlessly transitioning this straight into For Whom The Bell Tolls is an always appreciated and underrated power move; The party vibes were very much back in Villa Park.
Metallica, being Metallica, are afforded the time to be able to play two Sabbath covers, and their second choice is a properly deep cut. Johnny Blade, from the not exactly universally loved Never Say Die album, catches almost everyone in the place off guard – but it sounds great. Lars Ulrich shows immense dedication throughout by staying completely on time throughout the entire thing (we love you Lars, but this is something of a rarity), putting another little note on just how much this means to all taking part. James, Lars, Kirk and Rob depart, only for the intro tape to Battery to kick in seconds later. At this point even those who are trying to save what little energy they may have left for the Wizard Of Ozz get sucked in as the circle pits twirl across the stadium while those of us in the seats risk injury from headbanging too vigorously and close to some of the safety barriers and awnings. There’s no Enter Sandman tonight – all the Metallica originals coming from their setlist from the aforementioned tour with Ozzy from four decades ago, which is another lovely touch. That means “that song from Stranger Things” brings things to an end; all of Villa Park screaming “Obey Your Master”, and this half hour with Metallica feels like it is over in about three minutes. The best possible precursor to the main event.
It’s time. The moment everyone has been waiting for has arrived and for all the speculation and rumours about Ozzy Osbourne’s (10) return to the stage. Nothing can stop the goosebumps that occur when the lights dim and his intro tape begins to play. Followed by a roar of pure ecstacy and reverence that would put any match day crowd to shame as he emerges, seated upon his throne. Filling the stadium with 40,000 united voices, all electrified by his mere presence.
Any concerns that the Prince of Darkness won’t be able to step up to the plate are succinctly put to bed during the opening bars of I Don’t Know. Flanked by right hand man Zakk Wylde and long-term bassist Mike Inez. Close your eyes and listen and you’d have no idea Ozzy is approaching his eightieth birthday. He seems absolutely elated to be back in the spotlight too. Never one to hold back a smile in a genre full of hard faces and posturing. The iconic frontman is beaming as he introduces follow up track, Mr Crowley. Getting so caught up in the excitement that he tries to stand. Putting all of our hearts in our mouths for a bittersweet and thoroughly heartwarming moment.
We needn’t worry though, Ozzy is in safe hands tonight. Every time he holds the mic out to the crowd and drops out of the mix, Zakk Wylde wheels around to check in on the boss. The big man looks like he’d take a bullet for Ozzy tonight and he isn’t the only one. With the crowd having now reached fever pitch as they scream their way through the chorus to Suicide Solution right along with him. If you haven’t cried yet, don’t worry, their rendition of Mama I’m Coming Home is guaranteed to get those tears flowing. Dropping with an emotional weight that defies words. We’re fine, honestly, we just have something in our eyes, we swear.
There’s no time to dry our eyes though. It’s all aboard for Crazy Train. Last stop, Villa Park. Bringing not just tonight’s set, but Ozzy’s four decade long solo career to a fitting end. The words legendary and historic are often used, but they have never applied more thoroughly to a man or moment in time as they do now. As Ozzy gives us one last manic wave goodbye while the final hanging chord of Crazy Train turns to feedback. Well and truly bringing the house down. Long live the Prince of Darkness! JL
Truth be told, after such an emotional performance, just about anything could happen and every single person at Villa Park would probably be on-board. Of course, what IS up next though is the swan-song of Black Sabbath (10), and so it comes as little surprise when following a video package running down the band’s history, that familiar sound of thunder and rain suddenly booms over the PA and the whole place goes unglued from the off. It’s not their eponymous track that opens things though; instead a sudden blaring of sirens heralds War Pigs as the thunderous opener of this final stand, with the returning Bill Ward immediately making his presence felt by clattering the ever-loving shit out of his kit, completely laying to rest any lingering doubts about his ability to perform.
Truth be told, just seeing the drummer back in the Sabbath fold is practically enough to set the waterworks flowing before we’ve even really got started, finally getting to finish off what should have been back in 2017. Despite having already wrung out enough pure emotion to power a small country in the prior set, man of the hour Ozzy Osbourne again sounds on absurdly good form all things considered, gleefully engaging the crowd to bellow those iconic and all too timeless lyrics likely seared into our collective brains from the comfort of that gloriously OTT gothic throne. Of course, Sabbath’s time on-stage tonight is for obvious reasons only brief, but it’s enough to give closure. Running straight into N.I.B. gives oft-underrated bassist Geezer Butler his time to shine, the track’s wah-laden intro sounding monstrous through a stadium PA before Iommi’s driving riff kicks in. Iron Man sees a chanted chorus thousands-strong gleefully yelling along to every lyric and guitar line alike, as well as the somewhat bemusing sight of 77 year old Bill Ward suddenly going fully tops-off for a look which we’ll later learn Iommi likened to Lord of the Rings’ Gollum.
Literally everybody in the building could predict how this show would probably conclude of course, and as Ozzy heartbreakingly notes we’ve come to “our final song for the eveni…….ever”, and urges everyone to “go f****** crazy” one last time, the opening to Paranoid booms around Villa Park, so too does the realisation hit that this truly is it for the metal originators, and you can visibly see the tears in many a metalhead’s eyes. Despite the show almost hitting the ten hour mark around this point, the sudden collective adrenaline rush these words seem to rouse in the assembled thousands one last time is palpable, and all of Villa Park proudly bellows every word as though it were the national anthem. And then just like that, it’s over. A barrage of fireworks shoot off above the stadium and those in attendance are treated to the amusingly touching sight of Butler presenting Osbourne with a celebratory cake as not just perhaps the greatest day in heavy metal history draws to a close, but so do the long and storied live careers of both Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne in the very city in which it all began. To borrow a phrase from the Prince of Darkness himself – Birmingham Forever! JFW
Words by Jamie Giberti (JG), John Layland (JL), Jack Fermor Worrell (JFW) and Claire Frays (CF). Photos credited. Header image by Ross Halfin.
If anyone is still looking to get their hands on Back To The Beginning merch, you can do so from the official Ozzy Osbourne online merch store on this link.
