Metallica “Can’t Wait” To Join Black Sabbath at Back to the Beginning: The Final Show

Led by notorious frontman Ozzy Osbourne, many credit Black Sabbath with inventing heavy metal. Going on to sell more than 70 million records, the band hasn’t released a studio album since 2013’s 13. Now 76, Osbourne will share a stage with his former bandmates one final time this July. It truly marks the end of an era, as Black Sabbath’s original lineup has not performed together live in more than 20 years. While heavy metal fans are no doubt cheering the news, perhaps no one is more excited than Metallica, who will join Black Sabbath onstage for Back to the Beginning: The Final Show.

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Metallica’s Love for Black Sabbath “Runs Deep”

Ozzy Osbourne will reunite with Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for a fundraising concert on July 5 in Birmingham, England.

Additionally, the one-day festival will feature supporting acts like Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, and Anthrax. Metallica recently shared their excitement on social media.

“Our admiration for Black Sabbath runs deep, and we can’t wait to join them in Birmingham, England, on July 5 for Back to the Beginning: The Final Show!” the “Enter Sandman” hitmakers wrote Wednesday (Feb. 5) on X/Twitter.

Our admiration for @BlackSabbath runs deep, and we can't wait to join them in Birmingham, England, on July 5 for Back to the Beginning: The Final Show! Tickets go on sale Friday, February 14, at 10 AM GMT / 5 AM EST / 2 AM PST. pic.twitter.com/h7DuP9xZ9C

— Metallica (@Metallica) February 5, 2025

Metallica Inducted Their Idols into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006

Although Ozzy Osbourne has never really vibed with the “heavy metal” label, Black Sabbath’s indelible mark on the genre cannot be overstated. In an August 2005 interview with Total Guitar, Metallica lead vocalist James Hetfield credited Black Sabbath for turning him onto “that evil-sounding s—.” He also called guitarist Tony Iommi “the king of the heavy riff.”

[RELATED: “It Could Turn Out As an Embarrassment”: Bob Daisley Reveals His Reaction to Not Being Invited to Perform During Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Show]

In 2006, Metallica helped induct Black Sabbath into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. During the ceremony, drummer Lars Ulrich not only acknowledged but screamed “from every f—ing rooftop” that Ozzy and Co. “is and always will be synonymous with heavy metal.”

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