Now this one hurts, mun. Two absolute prog-rock legends — Rush’s Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee — had agreed to join the mighty Black Sabbath onstage at their Villa Park 2025 gig. Just imagine it: Geezer Butler locking in with Geddy, Tony Iommi trading riffs with Lifeson, and Ozzy probably forgetting what day it is but still screaming “Let’s go crazy!” over the top. Proper dream team stuff. 🤯🎸
But sadly, the rock gods giveth and the rock gods taketh away. Due to circumstances beyond their control (not health-related, diolch Iommi!), the Rush pair have had to back out of the show scheduled for 14th March 2025. No mad bust-up, no drama — just one of those gutting “life gets in the way” moments.
This was shaping up to be one of the most ridiculous crossover moments in rock history. Rush and Sabbath together? Prog meets proto-metal? That’s like a Greggs sausage roll wrapped inside a pasty — dangerously heavy and absolutely lush. 🥵🥐
Fans online were already buzzing, calling it “the supergroup collab we never knew we needed.” Some were even speculating about possible Rush/Sabbath live mashups — Tom Sawyer bleeding into Paranoid? La Villa Strangiato merging with Into the Void? My head’s falling off just thinking about it.
Even without Rush’s finest, Sabbath’s Villa Park date is still looking colossal. But yeah… this one stings. Could’ve been a once-in-a-lifetime jam. C’mon butt, we were so close!
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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