Original BLACK SABBATH To Play Final Show In July, With METALLICA As Special Guests……
In a monumental announcement that has sent shockwaves through the heavy metal community, the original lineup of Black Sabbath will reunite for one final performance this July, joined by none other than Metallica as special guests. The event, billed as “The Final Sabbath”, will mark the definitive farewell of the band widely credited as the pioneers of heavy metal, bringing to a close over five decades of dark riffs, doom-laden lyrics, and genre-defining influence.
A Historic Night in Birmingham
Set to take place on July 27th, 2025, at Birmingham’s Villa Park — the legendary band’s hometown venue — this performance will serve as both a tribute to Black Sabbath’s roots and a celebration of their enduring legacy. For fans around the world, it will be more than just a concert; it will be the closing chapter of an era.
The original lineup — Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass), and Bill Ward (drums) — will share the stage for what is being described as their “absolutely final” performance together. The reunion comes after years of speculation, brief tours, and even personal tensions, especially involving drummer Bill Ward, who had not performed with the group during their 2016–2017 farewell tour due to contractual disputes and health concerns.
In a joint statement released by the band, they said:
> “This is it. One last time. For the fans, for the music, and for the city that gave us everything. We started here, and we’ll end it here — together.”
Metallica Joins the Moment
Adding to the magnitude of the event, Metallica — arguably the most successful metal band of all time and heavily influenced by Sabbath — will perform a full set as the evening’s special guests. The pairing is significant: Metallica has often credited Black Sabbath as their primary inspiration, and both bands share an enduring legacy in shaping heavy metal’s global identity.
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich expressed deep emotion in a press release:
> “Without Black Sabbath, there would be no Metallica. We owe everything to them. To be asked to support them on the night of their final bow — in Birmingham, no less — is an absolute honor.”
Lead singer James Hetfield added:
> “They are the forefathers of all we stand for. This is a full-circle moment.”
Fans React With Excitement — and Tears
The announcement has sparked a frenzy online, with fans across the globe expressing both elation and bittersweet emotion. For many, this will be the last opportunity to witness a band that shaped not only their music tastes but also their lives. Social media platforms lit up within minutes of the news, with hashtags like #FinalSabbath and #SabbathForever trending worldwide.
Tickets are expected to sell out within minutes when they go on sale next week. Promoters have warned fans to beware of secondary market scams and are coordinating with official outlets to ensure fair distribution.
A Career That Changed Music Forever
Black Sabbath’s impact on modern music is immeasurable. Formed in Birmingham in 1968, the band took the blues-rock of the time and infused it with a darker, heavier sound that would lay the foundation for what became known as heavy metal. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1970, is often cited as the first true heavy metal record.
Over the decades, despite lineup changes, breakups, and personal struggles, the band continued to influence countless artists and attract new generations of fans. Albums like Paranoid, Master of Reality, and Heaven and Hell are considered cornerstones of the genre.
Their most recent tour, “The End,” concluded in 2017 without drummer Bill Ward, leaving fans wondering if the original quartet would ever play together again. Now, in 2025, that question has been answered.
One Final Bow
While it’s the end of the road for Black Sabbath as a performing unit, their legacy is immortal. July’s final performance with Metallica will be more than just a show; it will be a cultural milestone, a last salute to the band that birthed a genre, inspired millions, and changed the face of rock forever.
As Ozzy Osbourne put it in the announcement:
> “We’re going out the way we came in — loud, proud, and with our brothers by our side.”
For fans around the world, July 27th will be a night to remember — the night the original Black Sabbath said goodbye, in the city where it all began.