Discover the eight astonishing moments from the unforgettable Back to the Beginning Concert that left us speechless.

Beyond the sheer excitement of two of us from Loudwire making the journey to Birmingham for this landmark event, there were numerous unforgettable highlights that truly captivated our senses.

We anticipated a star-studded event showcasing the very best of metal, and it certainly did not disappoint. Reflecting on the entire experience, it became clear that nearly the entirety of Paranoid was performed, which is a testament to the scale of this momentous concert.

This is just one example of the many incredible highlights, but it certainly stands out among the rest.

Who could have predicted that one particular guitarist [who wasn’t even billed as a performer] would dominate the stage longer than any other performer?

Read on to uncover the seven unforgettable moments we can’t believe occurred at the Back to the Beginning Concert!

1. Ozzy Osbourne Delivered 9 Songs and Half of Blizzard of Ozz

There was widespread skepticism regarding Ozzy’s performance, but he silenced his critics!

Indeed, Ozzy Osbourne has faced numerous serious health challenges in recent years. His absence from last year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction only fueled doubts about his capabilities at the Back to the Beginning farewell concert.

I had predicted that the Prince of Darkness would manage to perform perhaps six songs—split between his solo work and his time with Black Sabbath.

To everyone’s surprise, he performed nine songs in total, including nearly half of his legendary debut album. While “Dee” is a brief 50-second instrumental, it technically means that eight songs from Blizzard of Ozz were on the setlist for this monumental occasion.

He began with the album opener “I Don’t Know,” and also delivered classics like “Mr. Crowley,” “Suicide Solution,” and concluded his set with the iconic “Crazy Train.” The only non-Blizzard of Ozz song performed was “Mama I’m Coming Home,” during which Ozzy became emotional, reflecting on the past few years and the significance of this final performance.

Ozzy Osbourne, “I Don’t Know”

As for Black Sabbath, they delighted fans with four of their timeless tracks, kicking off the set with “War Pigs” after enduring a rain-soaked sound check that teased their signature song. Following that were “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid,” marking our last moments with Black Sabbath on stage.

Ozzy truly exceeded all expectations, and his performance was nothing short of phenomenal!

Black Sabbath, “Paranoid”

2. Nuno Bettencourt Dominated the Stage with More Songs Than Anyone

No odds maker in Las Vegas could have accurately predicted that Nuno Bettencourt would end up playing more songs than any other guitarist at the Back to the Beginning Concert.

This isn’t to suggest that he’s unqualified—quite the opposite! However, the unpredictability of the special guests made it nearly impossible to foresee his extensive involvement.

Bettencourt’s unexpected presence was a delightful surprise, as he wasn’t initially announced as part of the lineup.

Acting as the primary guitarist for the majority of the supergroup performances, Bettencourt truly showcased his talent. Known for his virtuosity in the band Extreme and his live collaborations with Rihanna, he flawlessly navigated a wide array of songs throughout the day, as detailed below.

Bravo, Nuno!

• “The Ultimate Sin” (Ozzy Osbourne)
• “Sweet Leaf” (Black Sabbath)
• “Believer” (Ozzy Osbourne)
• “Changes” (Black Sabbath)
• “Symptom of the Universe” (Black Sabbath — drum-off)
• “Flying High Again” (Ozzy Osbourne)
• “Rock Candy” (Montrose)
• “Bark at the Moon” (Ozzy Osbourne)
• “Train Kept A-Rollin'” (Aerosmith cover of Tiny Bradshaw)
• “Walk This Way” (Aerosmith)
• “Whole Lotta Love” (Led Zeppelin)

“Bark at the Moon” – Back to the Beginning

“The Ultimate Sin” – Back to the Beginning

READ MORE: All of the Ozzy Osbourne + Black Sabbath ‘Back to the Beginning’ Farewell Concert Setlists — Who Played What

3. Steven Tyler Defied Expectations with an Unforgettable Performance

Steven Tyler, famously known as the “Demon of Screamin’,” demonstrated why he retains that title after delivering an electrifying performance of three classic songs: “Train Kept A-Rollin'” (which even featured Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones), “Walk This Way,” and the iconic “Whole Lotta Love” with the second supergroup of the night.

Despite Aerosmith announcing their retirement from touring due to Tyler’s ongoing vocal injuries, there were no signs of distress during his performance on July 5. He delivered a vintage rendition of these stadium-sized classics.

While these tracks may not have direct ties to Ozzy or Sabbath, they served as a vibrant intermission before Pantera, Tool, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, and Metallica took the stage to pay tribute with ten additional Black Sabbath covers.

“Whole Lotta Love” – Back to the Beginning

4. Almost Every Song from Paranoid Was Performed

Through a combination of covers and the iconic performances by Black Sabbath, nearly every song from Paranoid graced the stage, with the sole exception being the two-and-a-half-minute instrumental “Rat Salad.”

This omission was hardly a concern for the audience of 45,000 in attendance, or the reported five million viewers watching the livestream. None of them likely thought, “This concert would have been perfect if they had played my favorite Black Sabbath song—’Rat Salad.’

For all of Maynard James Keenan‘s pre-show anxieties regarding decision-making in Tool, the quiet/loud dynamic of “Hand of Doom” was perfectly suited for their style. In retrospect, it feels like an obvious choice. The seamless transition into “Aenima” was one of the smoothest returns to original material throughout the day.

Additionally, we were treated to a double feature of covers from Pantera!

• “War Pigs” (performed by Black Sabbath)
• “Paranoid” (performed by Black Sabbath)
• “Planet Caravan” (performed by Pantera)
• “Iron Man” (performed by Black Sabbath)
• “Electric Funeral” (performed by Rival Sons and Pantera)
• “Hand of Doom” (performed by Tool)
• “Fairies Wear Boots” (performed by Alice in Chains)

Tool, “Hand of Doom”

Pantera, “Planet Caravan”

5. Yungblud’s Surprise Performance Stole the Show with a Remarkable Cover

One of the standout performances of the day came from Yungblud, who delivered a moving rendition of the Vol. 4 ballad “Changes.”

The 27-year-old U.K. alt-rock star was a last-minute addition to the lineup, leading to skepticism about his suitability for such a prominent role. However, in less than five minutes, he captivated the audience with an extraordinary performance, supported by Frank Bello, bassist for Anthrax, Nuno Bettencourt, Ozzy’s keyboardist Adam Wakeman, and Sleep Token drummer II.

Having 45,000 people join in to sing a portion of the song was a profound vibe shift, foreshadowing the emotional wave that swept over the crowd when Black Sabbath concluded their final song. It provided the perfect touch of tenderness needed to encapsulate our collective experience.

Yungblud Sings “Changes”

Footage later showed Yungblud presenting Ozzy with a cross necklace, symbolizing their bond as Ozzy had previously gifted him one. Their heartfelt conversation will undoubtedly leave you teary-eyed once again.

6. Marina Viotti Collaborated with Gojira for an Epic Performance of “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)”

The feel-good anthem of last summer was undeniably Gojira‘s monumental and intensely metal performance at the Olympics opening ceremony in France.

At this historic event, these musical juggernauts revisited that legendary moment by performing “Mea Culpa (Ah! ça ira!)” for the Birmingham audience and the millions watching from home.

A delightful surprise was the appearance of opera singer Marina Viotti, who had participated in that Olympic performance, joining them on stage to elevate the moment.

But that’s not all! Viotti even ventured into the crowd, a couple dozen feet from the stage, to catch performances from other artists, including Metallica!

Thank you, Marina, for embracing our music scene and community!

Gojira, “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)”

7. Three Tracks from Never Say Die! Were Remarkably Covered

In the lead-up to July 5, artists involved in the concert teased that their song selections were consistently changing.

However, it became evident which three tracks were likely agreed upon without dispute!

While the title track is quite impressive, the remaining songs on the album are better suited for the most dedicated diehards and still appeal to the curious. Notably, Ozzy’s vocals on “Johnny Blade” were a genuine highlight.

It was Guns N’ Roses who, known for their affinity for obscure covers, selected two songs from this album (“Never Say Die,” “Junior’s Eyes”). Meanwhile, Metallica embraced their contrarian nature by including “Johnny Blade.”

If Tool had taken this route, it might have felt like a cheeky move. Yet, these two bands are celebrated for their deep cuts, with GN’R even treating us to an abridged version of “It’s Alright” from the similarly criticized Technical Ecstasy.

Guns N’ Roses, “Never Say Die”

Metallica, “Johnny Blade”

Guns N’ Roses, “Junior’s Eyes”

8. Everything About This Concert Was Surreal, Including the Funds Raised for Charity!

It feels almost unreal. We have never witnessed a tribute for the living on such an extraordinary scale as this one. We are immensely grateful for Ozzy and Black Sabbath that their peers traveled from around the world to pay homage to them. They truly transformed their hometown, leaving it better than before as they took their final bow.

None of the artists received payment for their participation, and estimates suggest that the Back to the Beginning Concert raised approximately £140 million (around $190 million) for three charities—Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Charity, Acorns Children’s Hospice, and Parkinson’s UK.

Everything about this event was a resounding success!