You can’t keep a metal god off the stage for long! Earlier this week, Black Sabbath’s riff master general, Tony Iommi, made a surprise appearance during the climactic finale of Black Sabbath – The Ballet at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London — and, c’mon, that’s about as gloriously weird and wonderful as it gets.
As the curtain came down on the show’s high-energy closer, Paranoid, Iommi strolled onstage, Gibson in hand, and unleashed that iconic riff — this time backed by a 40-piece orchestra and a full ballet cast of 50 dancers spinning and headbanging (well, pirouetting) in perfect time.
Footage of the moment was shared by Queen legend Brian May, who couldn’t contain his excitement:
“Wow! The true father of heavy metal making that beautiful axe sing like a bird tonight at Sadler’s Wells. Tony Iommi plus a 40-piece orchestra and a cast of 50 dancers, putting the icing on the cake of a great production of Black Sabbath – The Ballet. Proud to call this infinitely modest and generous genius my friend.”
The Black Sabbath – The Ballet project — a collaboration between the Birmingham Royal Ballet and Iommi himself — first debuted to sell-out crowds in Birmingham last year. It’s been touring across the UK, hitting international stages in 2024, and even made its US debut earlier this year at the Virginia Arts Festival.
Seeing Tony up there, riffing alongside ballerinas and violins, proves one thing: metal and art can mosh together beautifully. 🖤🎸💃
Only in Britain, mun — where else could Paranoid become pas de deux? 😅
#TonyIommi #BlackSabbathTheBallet #BirminghamRoyalBallet #BrianMay #HeavyMetalGoesClassical #TheRiffReport
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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