Metallica brought the house down at Birmingham’s Villa Park during the highly anticipated Back to the Beginning concert — a full-day celebration of Black Sabbath’s legendary legacy. Their six-song set wasn’t just loud; it was historic, filled with deep cuts, surprises, and the kind of energy only Metallica can deliver.
Rare Covers, Classic Thrash, and a Nod to the Gods
Kicking things off with “Hole in the Sky” from Sabbath’s Sabotage album, Metallica instantly grabbed the crowd’s attention. The song hadn’t been on their setlist in over 10 years, but the band played it like it never left. Then came the real shocker: “Johnny Blade” from Sabbath’s Never Say Die! — a track Metallica had never performed live until that night.
The Sabbath covers were woven in perfectly with some of their own heavy-hitting classics: “Creeping Death,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Battery,” and the always-explosive “Master of Puppets.” Fans were treated to a sonic journey that honored the roots of metal while celebrating its evolution.
A Metal Lineup for the Ages
Metallica was just one highlight in a stacked lineup that read like a who’s who of hard rock royalty. Guns N’ Roses brought the fire, Slayer turned up the intensity, and Alice in Chains delivered with haunting precision. Specially formed “supergroups” made up of rock veterans joined in to perform Sabbath tributes throughout the night.
But the true climax came later in the evening when Ozzy Osbourne delivered his final solo set — a bittersweet farewell filled with power and emotion. The night ended with a showstopping moment: the first live reunion of Black Sabbath’s original lineup — Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward — on the same stage for the first time since 2005.
A Night Fans Will Never Forget
From surprise setlists to unforgettable reunions, Back to the Beginning wasn’t just a concert — it was a once-in-a-lifetime tribute to the gods of heavy metal. And with Metallica leading the charge, fans walked away reminded of why this music continues to shake the world, one thunderous riff at a time.
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