Back to the Beginning: Black Sabbath Reunite for Historic Villa Park Concert – Official Photo of Ward, Butler, Osbourne & Iommi Released Ahead of July 5th Show
In a moment fans never thought they’d see again, the original lineup of Black Sabbath — Bill Ward, Geezer Butler, Ozzy Osbourne, and Tony Iommi — have been officially photographed together for the first time in years, igniting a global wave of excitement. The newly released image is part of the official promotional campaign for their monumental “Back to the Beginning” concert, set to take place at Villa Park in Birmingham on Saturday, July 5th.
This once-in-a-lifetime event marks a historic reunion and farewell rolled into one — and now, with this striking photo, the countdown to one of rock music’s most anticipated nights just got a whole lot more real.
A Photo That Shook the Metal World
The official image, shared early Tuesday morning on Sabbath’s social channels and website, shows the four founding members standing side by side — older, wiser, and still radiating the raw energy that made them legends. Against a shadowy backdrop reminiscent of their early album covers, the band’s iconic chemistry is palpable.
Ozzy, draped in his trademark black coat with silver crucifixes, is seen grinning beside Iommi, whose stoic expression and signature black curls remain unchanged by time. Ward and Butler — both looking strong, proud, and battle-tested — complete the circle. It’s a powerful portrait, steeped in nostalgia and finality.
Fans and music critics alike have called the image “hauntingly beautiful,” “emotional,” and “a moment frozen in metal history.”
July 5th: Back to Where It All Began
The “Back to the Beginning” concert isn’t just another show. It’s a symbolic return to the band’s birthplace — Birmingham — and a final, thunderous thank-you to the city that forged them.
Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa Football Club, will be transformed into a cathedral of heavy metal, as more than 40,000 fans prepare to witness the final live performance of the full original lineup.
“This is where it started. There’s no better place to end it,” said Geezer Butler in a recent interview.
“We’ve all been through our journeys, our own battles, but coming back here — together — it just feels right.”
The show will include a setlist packed with Sabbath classics: “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” “Children of the Grave,” “Black Sabbath,” and many more. Sources close to the production suggest there will be surprise guest appearances, special stage visuals, and moments that will pay tribute to the band’s legacy — and to their fans.
The Long Road to Reunion
Though Black Sabbath officially wrapped up their final tour, The End, in 2017 — Ward was notably absent from that tour due to contract disputes and health issues. Fans long hoped the door might reopen, and now, in 2025, it finally has.
In a joint statement, the band shared:
“Time has a way of healing. We’ve all changed, but the music is still in our blood. This isn’t about the past — it’s about finishing the story the way it was meant to end.”
Bill Ward, whose drumming was crucial to Sabbath’s thunderous early sound, added:
“I’m not here to relive old grudges. I’m here to celebrate what we created together. I’m ready.”
A Global Moment
The July 5th concert will also be livestreamed globally, allowing millions of fans from every corner of the world to experience the magic in real time. Ticket sales for both in-person and virtual access have already broken early records, with VIP packages selling out within minutes.
Fans are flying in from as far as Japan, Brazil, and the U.S. to witness what is being hailed as the final full-circle moment in rock history.
The Legacy Lives Forever
Black Sabbath’s influence cannot be overstated. From Metallica to Iron Maiden, from Soundgarden to Slipknot — their musical DNA runs through generations of artists. Their sound, image, and lyrical themes paved the way for everything heavy, dark, and powerful in modern music.
This reunion doesn’t just close a chapter — it writes the final sentence in a book that reshaped rock ‘n’ roll.
As the world counts down to July 5th, the newly released photo has stirred more than just memories. It’s rekindled the fire of a band that defined a genre — reminding us that legends may grow older, but their legacy only grows louder.
“Back to the Beginning” is not just a concert. It’s a farewell. A homecoming. A historic night of music, memory, and meaning.
Get ready. Black Sabbath is coming home — one last time.
