Sabbath’s final show takes fans on a 50 year journey
Ozzy Osbourne. Tomy Iommi. Geezer Butler. The trio known as Black Sabbath, along with original drummer Bill Ward who didn’t participate in the group’s final years due to a contract dispute, have wrapped a massive 50 year career with Black Sabbath – The End. The group’s final show on their farewell tour was released on November 17th via Eagle Vision on multiple formats. The two hour concert captures an astonishing performance at the Genting Arena in the the group’s hometown of Birmingham on February 4, 2017. Hits include “Iron Man,” “Paranoid” “War Pigs,” and more with a production value like no other.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Ozzy Osbourne smile as much as I did throughout Black Sabbath – The End. He really seems to have enjoyed himself on this tour, often saying “God bless you all” and “We love you!” Each one of the original members stands tall in their trademark black attire commanding the stage from their posts. Neither leave their areas too often to interact, but they’re Black Sabbath and they didn’t need to.
Despite age, the group still knows how to rock! Butler can play a monster bass while Iommi plays his masterful solos and crunching rhythms under Osbourne’s bubbling lyrics. Joined by drummer Tommy Clufetos and guitarist/keyboardist Adam Wakeman, The End is something every rock needs to experience as it sends the group off in a fitting way. Watching three legends take their final bow together to a cheering crowd will make anyone sentimental knowing this video is their final work together as we know it.
I’ve never been a diehard Black Sabbath fan, but I’ve always enjoyed their music casually. They are known as the founders of heavy metal — depending on who you ask — and kept their goth-inspired brand at the top of its game for The End.
“I just gotta say from everyone up here, thank you for the support you’ve given us over the years. We really mean that. We would not be here if it wasn’t for you people. Thank you very much!” Osbourne tells the crowd ahead of their final song of the main set.
The group then reconvened for a rousing sing-a-long of “Paranoid” to black and gold balloons dropping on the crowd. The band then took their final bows with Clufetos and Wakeman and mingled a bit on stage before walking off.
A cool feature of the project includes bonus material of the band playing a selection of their favorite songs not played on tour. These intimate live sessions at Angelic Studios — called The Angelic Sessions — were recorded in the days after their final live performance, and mark the band’s final studio recordings.
Eagle Vision brings the concert to the fans via DVD/CD, Blu-ray/CD, double CD, triple 180-gram vinyl and a limited deluxe collector’s edition that includes the concert on Blu-ray, DVD and double CD; The Angelic Sessions on CD; 32 page perfect bound book on heavyweight stock; metal Winged Demon pin badge; replica The End tour laminate; and three Plectrums all housed in a DVD-height two piece rigid mirror board box.
