Tony Iommi, the legendary guitarist and founding member of Black Sabbath, recently revealed that he was hesitant about the band staging a final farewell concert—despite the historic weight such a performance would carry. Known as one of the architects of heavy metal, Iommi’s concerns weren’t about the music or the fans—but about the integrity of the message behind saying “goodbye.”
In a candid conversation with The Guardian, Iommi admitted, “I’m the one that said, ‘I don’t know if we should do it,’ because we did a farewell tour and I didn’t want to get into that thing like all the other bands are doing—saying it’s the last tour and then reappearing again.”
Iommi‘s reluctance stemmed from a growing trend in rock and metal where “farewell tours” are often followed by comeback tours, undermining their finality. For Iommi, authenticity has always been central to Black Sabbath’s legacy, and he feared risking the band’s credibility with a move that might be perceived as a publicity stunt.
But time, purpose, and conviction changed his mind.
The concert, scheduled for July 5, 2025, in Birmingham, England—the band’s birthplace—is more than just a nostalgic reunion. Titled “Back to the Beginning,” the show is being framed as a heartfelt tribute to Sabbath’s origins and a powerful moment of closure. More importantly, the event will raise money for Parkinson’s and children’s charities, giving the show a philanthropic core that ultimately helped win Iommi over.
“I’ve been convinced, because we’re doing it for a reason… No one’s getting paid or anything,” Iommi said. The charitable angle, along with the chance to give fans one final moment with the original lineup, gave the event the authenticity he needed to support it.
However, questions still remain about the feasibility of the performance—especially concerning frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who has faced significant health challenges in recent years, including multiple spinal surgeries and his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease.
“I think Ozzy might be on some kind of throne,” Iommi said, before admitting, “but I’m in the dark as much as anybody else.”
If all goes as planned, the show will reunite the classic Black Sabbath lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for a one-night-only performance. To mark the occasion, an epic supporting cast has been announced, including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Gojira, Alice in Chains, Halestorm, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Mastodon, and more. It’s shaping up to be not just a concert, but a monumental chapter in heavy metal history.
Writer and extreme metal devotee, Ialdagorth has spent over a decade covering the darkest corners of heavy music. A black metal lifer, he spends his free time wandering the Carpathian Mountains, likely humming blast beats to the trees.
