The Prince of Darkness just won’t quit, mun. Even after years of health battles, Ozzy Osbourne is determined to stand tall (well, at least lean on a mic stand 😅) when Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning homecoming concert hits Birmingham this November.
Word is, Ozzy’s target is to perform five songs during the set — a proper miracle given he’s battled Parkinson’s, undergone major surgery, and has been in and out of hospitals more times than most of us have had pints at the Dog & Duck. 🍺
This isn’t just another show — it’s the final Sabbath chapter, the big Brummie farewell where Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Ozzy reunite for one last night of riffs heavy enough to rattle Broad Street. Fans are already calling it “Sabbath’s second coming” and “the heaviest goodbye party in history.”
Ozzy himself has admitted it’s going to take grit, fire, and maybe a bit of bat blood to get through it, but he’s hellbent on belting out those classics. Songs tipped to make the shortlist? Expect the essentials like Paranoid, Iron Man, War Pigs, and maybe a surprise or two for the diehards. 🦇🔥
It won’t just be about the music though. This night’s set to be a pilgrimage for metalheads, a celebration of the band who gave birth to heavy metal in the factories and pubs of Birmingham. From Aston to the world stage, it all comes full circle — and Ozzy, battered but unbroken, is determined to roar one last time.
C’mon butt, are you ready for Sabbath’s swan song? 🏴 Proper job.
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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