Tom Morello to direct all-star send off for Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath is moving Heaven and Hell to play one last show in their native Birmingham. And by Heaven and Hell we really mean the schedules of pretty much every classic heavy metal band you've ever heard of, because they're all coming too. Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello is serving as the concert's musical director, to give you a clue about the caliber of band participating here, and he said, per Consequence, that this would be "the greatest heavy metal show ever." He may very well be right.

The show—dubbed "Back to the Beginning"—will feature the original Black Sabbath lineup (Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward) with an additional solo Osbourne set. "It’s my time to go Back to the Beginning… time for me to give back to the place where I was born," Osbourne said in a statement. "How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham Forever."

Black Sabbath played their previous "last show" in Birmingham in February 2017 at the close of their "The End Tour." (Although Ward was absent due to a contract dispute over a previous reunion in 2012.) Osbourne hasn't played live since his own solo farewell tour was cut short in 2018 due to a slew of health issues, including Parkinson's disease. “I just want to be well enough to do one show where I can say, ‘Hi guys, thanks so much for my life,' he said in 2023. “If I drop down dead at the end of it, I’ll die a happy man.”

While the multiple not-so-farewell tours may give one pause regarding the band's "final show ever" claim, the magnitude of talent coming out in support suggests otherwise. "Back to the Beginning" is closer to a mini festival than a single concert. The bill also features Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice In Chains, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Mastodon, and many, many more. If you've ever seen a band's name on a T-shirt in heavy metal font, they'll probably be there. Now that's a fitting send-off. 

You can check out the full lineup below:

The original @BlackSabbath – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – will play for the first time in 20 years. The band will take to the stage to headline BACK TO THE BEGINNING on July 5th at Villa Park.

The all-star event will celebrate the true creators of… pic.twitter.com/cfqyxyWQxo

— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) February 5, 2025