Legendary heavy metal band Black Sabbath is set to reunite with all of its original members for the first time in 20 years in what is being billed as the 'greatest' heavy metal show ever. Fronted by Ozzy Osbourne, the band will headline 'The Back to the Beginning' show on July 5 at Villa Park, home of the Aston Villa Football Club in Birmingham, England.
Osbourne expressed his excitement for the reunion, stating, 'It’s my time to go back to the beginning... time for me to give back to the place where I was born. How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham forever.'
The event will feature Osbourne delivering his own short set before being joined by Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. The lineup will also include major metal bands such as Metallica, Slayer, and Alice In Chains, with more acts to be announced soon.
Music director Tom Morello described the upcoming show as 'the greatest heavy metal show ever.'
In recent years, Osbourne has faced health challenges, including a Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2020 and spinal surgery in 2023. Despite these setbacks, Osbourne remains committed to his music and fans.
Black Sabbath's journey began in Birmingham in 1968, with the band's debut album in 1970 propelling them to international fame. Over the years, they released several hit albums and became one of the most influential and successful metal bands, selling over 75 million albums worldwide.
Aside from his music career, Osbourne gained mainstream popularity through the reality TV show 'The Osbournes,' which featured his family and aired in the early 2000s.
All profits from the July 5 show will be donated to charities including Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, which is supported by Aston Villa. Tickets for the event will go on sale on Friday, Feb. 14.
