The iconic lineup of Black Sabbath — featuring legendary members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward — made a spectacular return to their roots during the Back to the Beginning concert held on Saturday. This unforgettable event showcased their first performance together in two decades, thrilling fans and marking a significant milestone in the history of heavy metal music with a powerful four-song setlist.
For a glimpse of this remarkable reunion, you can view the complete setlist and a brief video of their performance below.
The revered godfathers of heavy metal kicked off their set at Birmingham, England‘s Villa Park in fitting style, beginning with the fan-favorite anthem “War Pigs.” They then journeyed back to their self-titled debut album, delivering the groovy, bass-driven track “N.I.B.” before launching into the electrifying one-two punch of “Iron Man” and “Paranoid” from their acclaimed sophomore album Paranoid.
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This event marked a historic moment for the metal pioneers, who had not performed together since 2005. Notably, Bill Ward was absent from the recording of 2013’s 13 and subsequent tours due to ongoing health issues, making this reunion particularly poignant.
The performance of Black Sabbath was prefaced by a five-song solo set from Ozzy Osbourne, featuring classic hits such as “Mr. Crowley,” “Mama I’m Coming Home,” and “Crazy Train.” This solo act is rumored to be his farewell show, adding an emotional weight to the evening.
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Due to ongoing health challenges, Osbourne had been unable to take the stage for several years, which forced the cancellation of his farewell tour plans. His last full concert performance occurred on New Year’s Eve 2018 at the Forum in Inglewood, California, marking the conclusion of the final Ozzfest.
The star-studded Back to the Beginning concert also featured an impressive lineup of performers, including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Gojira, Alice in Chains, and Lamb of God. Numerous rock and metal artists paid homage to Black Sabbath with a variety of supergroup performances, celebrating the band’s profound influence on the music industry.
Experience the Magic: Watch Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning Intro and ‘War Pigs’ Snippet
Explore the Unforgettable Setlist from Black Sabbath – July 5, 2005, Back to the Beginning
1. “War Pigs”
2. “N.I.B.”
3. “Iron Man”
4. “Paranoid”
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Gallery Credit: Joe DiVita
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