8 Iconic Moments From Black Sabbath’s Final Show

Unless someone’s been hiding under a rock—or totally avoids heavy metal—they’ve likely heard the news: Black Sabbath just played their final show ever. On Saturday night, the pioneers of metal closed the book on their legendary career at the Back To The Beginning event at Villa Park in Birmingham, right near where it all started. With support from some of the biggest names in rock, Sabbath went out in epic style. Now that the amps have cooled and emotions have settled, here’s a look back at some of the most unforgettable moments from this historic farewell.

A Crowd Like No Other
From the moment fans in black Sabbath shirts started lining the streets of Aston, hours before the gates at Villa Park even opened, the energy was off the charts. The vibe wasn’t just good—it was electric. Every moment, from the build-up to the emotional final notes of Sabbath’s last-ever performance, felt unforgettable. In over two decades of metal shows, nothing has ever come close to this. And honestly, nothing probably ever will. Heavy metal fans showed up—and they showed why they’re the best crowd in the world.

Lzzy Hale Steals the Show
Credit where it’s due—whoever decided Halestorm should cover Ozzy’s 90s gem “Perry Mason” deserves a serious high five. It’s a fan favorite that rarely gets played in full, and Lzzy Hale delivered it with power, fire, and a whole lot of attitude. In a day packed with killer performances (and a few not-so-killer ones—sorry, Axl), her vocals stood out by a mile. Easily one of the strongest voices in rock today, Lzzy came back later for “The Ultimate Sin” and proved all over again why she’s in a league of her own.

Lamb of God Brings the Heat with a Sabbath Smash
No one expected Lamb of God to take it easy—and they absolutely didn’t. Kicking off with heavy hitters like “Set to Fail” and “Redneck,” they lit the first real fire of the day and kicked off the mosh pits in style. But the real standout moment? Their thunderous take on “Children of the Grave,” which hit like a freight train. It wasn’t just a tribute—it was a full-force assault that stood tall as the best Sabbath cover of the night. And thankfully, they’ve released it for all to hear.

Yungblud Wins Over the Crowd—Big Time
When Yungblud first stepped on stage, the cheers were more curious than wild. He’s not exactly known for metal, so fans weren’t sure what to expect from the emo-leaning rocker, even if he does have Ozzy’s stamp of approval. But any doubts disappeared fast once he launched into a moving cover of Sabbath’s “Changes.” His raw vocals and emotional delivery turned skeptics into fans, sparking the first huge singalong of the day. By the end of his set, Yungblud had made one thing clear—he belonged there.

Jack Black Steals the Spotlight—Without Even Showing Up
One of the day’s funniest moments came completely out of left field. When a kid appeared on screen pounding out the eerie keyboard intro to “Mr. Crowley,” the crowd looked puzzled—until Jack Black popped up beside him. The laughter and cheers were instant. Sure, it would’ve been amazing to see him live, but his hilarious cameo and over-the-top Ozzy tribute still landed perfectly. In a day packed with surprises, Jack Black somehow managed to steal a moment without even stepping on stage.

Slayer Silences the Doubters with a Blistering Set
Sure, Slayer calling it quits and then jumping back in six years later raised a few eyebrows—but after Saturday’s performance, no one was complaining. Kerry King has been open about not loving the band’s retirement, and watching them tear through their set with fire and precision proved they’ve still got it. The crowd clearly agreed, with circle pits popping up left and right. And just when things couldn’t get more intense, Kerry kicked off their Sabbath cover with the playful intro to “Wicked World,” catching everyone off guard in the best way.

Metallica Being Metallica in the Most Metallica Way
Metallica has never been a band to take the obvious route—whether it’s playing Antarctica, launching their own festival, or funding a movie, they always go big. So it was perfectly on brand when they surprised everyone with a blazing cover of “Johnny Blade,” a deep cut from Sabbath’s often-overlooked 1978 album Never Say Die!. It was an unexpected choice, especially with their killer “Sabbra Cadabra” medley already in their back pocket from Garage Inc.. Still, their version hit hard—and paired with their earlier cover of “Hole in the Sky,” even the most die-hard fans had to tip their hats.

Ozzy’s Tearful Farewell Hits Every Heart in the Crowd
Watching Ozzy Osbourne tear up during “Mama, I’m Coming Home” was one of those moments that just stopped time. He looked fragile, sure—but also deeply thankful, and the emotion pouring from him hit every fan right in the chest. The whole day was a celebration of Black Sabbath’s legacy, but those final minutes took things to another level. His voice cracked, and honestly, so did half the crowd’s. It wasn’t about perfection—it was about love, history, and saying goodbye to a legend. Long live Ozzy. Long live Sabbath.