BLACK SABBATH and VARIOUS ARTISTS – BACK TO THE BEGINNING – 4 DVD-R

Villa Park, Birmingham, England 5th July 2025 PRO-SHOT

　Ozzy Osbourne, the father and king of heavy metal…no, all heavy music, has passed away. The news spread as general news, even to people who aren’t particularly into music. I’m sure many people are now realizing just how great Ozzy was.

　A common refrain in news like this is, “He was performing in a concert two weeks ago.” That concert was the major event, “BACK TO THE BEGINNING,” which Ozzy announced would be his “final performance.” Not only did Ozzy perform onstage, but many of his heroes gathered at the stadium to pay tribute to Ozzy’s achievements and celebrate his life in a festival-style night. This film is a video work that lets you enjoy every single performance.

　”BACK TO THE BEGINNING” took place at Villa Park on July 5, 2025. This four-disc set features approximately 5 hours and 22 minutes of multi-camera professional shots. 18 bands performed on the day, but the structure of this work is not simply recorded chronologically. Each disc has its own concept, making it easy to watch depending on the mood of the day and reconstructed so that it can be enjoyed over and over again. First, let’s take a look at the structure.

DISC 1: 8 early bands (digest) / PANTERA / SLAYER
DISC 2: ALL STARS / Jack Black / DRUM-OFF / Backstage Scenes
DISC 3: GUNS N’ ROSES / METALLICA
DISC 4: Ozzy Osbourne solo / BLACK SABBATH

▼DISC 1 (first half) Cover Digest (8 songs)
　This work begins with the eight bands that performed at the beginning of the event. Rather than recording all the songs they performed, it contains a digest of one song from each band.

　However, that one song is important. Originally, “BACK TO THE BEGINNING” was intended to be “Ozzy’s final concert,” and the performers were expected to cover Ozzy’s solo and Sabbath hits. The songs chosen here are those covers. The bands at the beginning only had about 15 minutes, and each cover they performed could only do one song at a time. In other words, this album contains “all of Ozzy/Sabbath’s covers.”

▼DISC 1 (Part 2) PANTERA Edition / SLAYER Edition (4 songs + 6 songs)
　Next up is the rebooted PANTERA with Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante, and the reunited SLAYER. These two groups each feature full recordings of their respective stages. The rebooted PANTERA pro shots are a treasure in themselves, but the guitar is also by Zakk, Ozzy Osbourne’s right-hand man. Naturally, the originals are intense, but there are also many Sabbath covers, two of which sound like ZAKK SABBATH with Phil Anselmo. They were also an important band in the middle of the event.

　And then there’s SLAYER. Their reboot is also a hot topic, and their pro shots are the envy of metalheads around the world. Their Sabbath covers are also twisted, with a deep selection like “Wicked World” and an excellent arrangement incorporating the original “South Of Heaven.” The Sabbath genes are imprinted in the original songs, making them great covers.

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DISC 2: All-Star Band (5 songs + 7 songs)
　DISC 2 features a four-part special featuring a star-studded lineup of performers. It includes the two-part “ALL STARS” performance led by the event’s musical director, Tom Morello, a film star, Jack Black, and a special jam, “DRUM-OFF.”

　The main event, “ALL STARS,” kicks off with a star-studded performance by Jake E. Lee! Other performers include David Ellefson, Scott Ian, Nuno Bettencourt, and the new generation of Yungblud, all of whom are both old and new stars. The second part is even more spectacular, with KK Downing, Billy Corgan, Papa V. Perpetua, and Sammy Hagar taking turns appearing. Enjoy the miraculous stage performance, including Sammy singing “Flying High Again.”

　And the surprise guests, who hadn’t been announced, were even more impressive. Steven Tyler (!!) of AEROSMITH, who has since retired from touring, was joined by Ron Wood (!!!). Steven’s performance was especially powerful and sexy, making it hard to believe he’d retired from touring. The special atmosphere of this historic event emanated from the screen, making for an ultra-luxurious stage.

◆DISC 2: Jack Black / Drum-Off (One Song Each)
　The two-part All-Star Band performance is interspersed with two special tracks, offering a palate cleanser but one you won’t find anywhere else. First up is Jack Black. He sings “Mr. Crowley” via video, not live, and even recreates the famous “After Hours.” Backed by Tom Morello’s son, Roman Morello, and Scott Ian’s son, Revel Ian, it’s a humorous production that prioritizes humor, but it may also be a fitting tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, beloved not only by rock but the entertainment world at large.

　And there’s the special unit “DRUM-OFF.” Three master drummers, Travis Barker, Chad Smith, and Danny Carey, will be engaging in a spectacular drum battle based on the theme of “Symptom of the Universe.”

DISC 2 (BONUS) Backstage Scenes
　The finale of this guest feature disc is backstage scenes, with numerous stars meeting the King of Ozzy Osbourne and catching up on old friendships. The scenes are even more spectacular than the actual stage performance, and are also incredibly gorgeous footage.

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■DISC 3 (First Half) GUNS N’ ROSES (6 Songs)
　This century-defining event is reaching its climax. DISC 3 features GUNS N’ ROSES. They performed in a special lineup, without keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Melissa Leeds. This was their first time performing as a five-piece in 35 years, since 1990. Even more special is the setlist. GUNS N’ ROSES covers four Sabbath songs. And the selection is incredibly cool: “It’s Alright,” “Never Say Die,” “Junior’s Eyes,” and “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.” Axl had been singing “It’s Alright” for some time (the other three were world premieres), and he was 14-16 years old when he released “TECHNICAL ECSTASY” and “NEVER SAY DIE.” Perhaps he was actually a big fan of these two albums.

■DISC 3 (Second Half) METALLICA Edition (6 Songs)
　METALLICA performed just before Ozzy Osbourne in a 35-minute slot that even surpassed GUNS N’ ROSES. Their covers of “Hole in the Sky” and “Johnny Blade” were the band’s first performance in 16 years, since 2009, and the latter its world premiere. “Johnny Blade” in particular is not just a nerdy track; it’s played so seamlessly it’s hard to believe it’s a first performance. The selection and arrangement are ingenious, making this a truly outstanding performance that truly showcases METALLICA’s reputation as masters of covers.

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Disc 4 (first half) features Ozzy Osbourne’s first solo performance in six and a half years (5 songs).
　The final disc, Disc 4, features the legendary Ozzy Osbourne on his final stage performance. He performs five songs solo with Zakk Wylde and four songs with the original four members of BLACK SABBATH.

　This day marked Ozzy’s first live performance in six and a half years (he had appeared at events during that time, but only performed a few songs as a mime). Though he remained seated in his chair, Ozzy was still Ozzy. His sharp gaze was charismatic, and he controlled the massive crowd of about 40,000 with just his gestures. Not only Zack, who had been his lifelong partner, but Mike Inez from his “NO MORE TEARS” days also made a special return, adding luster to this memorable final stage.

●DISC 4 (Second Half) – The First Original BLACK SABBATH in 20 Years (4 Songs)
　The final track is the highlight of BLACK SABBATH. Speaking of their final concert, the official album “THE END: LIVE IN BIRMINGHAM” comes to mind, but Tommy Clufetos was sitting on the stool at that time. Original member Bill Ward was absent. This time, Bill joined the band, marking the return of the original BLACK SABBATH. Performing in Ozzy’s hometown of Birmingham, with the original four-piece band, it truly was a symbolic “BACK TO THE BEGINNING” performance.

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DISC 1
TRIBUTE PERFORMANCES
1. Supernaut / MASTODON
2. Electric Funeral / RIVAL SONS
3. Into The Void / ANTHRAX
4. Perry Mason / HALESTORM
5. Children Of The Grave / LAMB OF GOD
6. Fairies Wear Boots / ALICE IN CHAINS
7. Under The Sun / GOJIRA
8. Hand Of Doom / TOOL

PANTERA
9. Intro
10. Cowboys From Hell
11. Walk
12. Planet Caravan
13. Electric Funeral

SLAYER
14. Intro
15. Disciple
16. War Ensemble
17. Wicked World
18. South Of Heaven/Wicked World
19. Raining Blood
20. Angel Of Death

DISC 2
TOM MORELLO’S ALL STARS
1. Intro
2. Ultimate Sin
(Lzzy Hale, Jake E. Lee, David Ellefson, Adam Wakeman, Nuno Bettencourt & Mike Bordin)
3. Shot in the Dark
(David Draiman, Jake E. Lee, David Ellefson, Adam Wakeman, Nuno Bettencourt & Mike Bordin)
4. Sweet Leaf
(David Draiman, Scott Ian, David Ellefson, Adam Wakeman, Nuno Bettencourt & Mike Bordin)
5. Believer
(Whitfield Crane, Scott Ian, Frank Bello, Sleep Token II & Adam Wakeman)
6. Changes
(YUNGBLUD, Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bellow, Sleep Token II & Adam Wakeman)

JACK BLACK
7. Mr. Crowley
(Jack Black, Roman Morello, Revel Ian & Hugo Weiss)

DRUM-OFF
8. Intro
9. Symptom Of The Universe
(Travis Barker, Chad Smith, Danny Carey with Tom Morello, Nuno Bettencourt & Rudy Sarzo)

TOM MORELLO’S ALL STARS
10. Intro
11. Breaking the Law
(Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, Adam Jones, K.K. Downing, Rudy Sarzo & Danny Carey)
12. Snowblind
(Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, Adam Jones, K.K. Downing, Rudy Sarzo & Danny Carey)
13. Flying High Again
(Sammy Hagar, Nuno Bettencourt, Vernon Reid, Adam Wakeman, Rudy Sarzo & Chad Smith)
14. Rock Candy
(Sammy Hagar, Nuno Bettencourt, Adam Wakeman, Rudy Sarzo, Chad Smith & Tom Morello)
15. Bark at the Moon
(Papa V Perpetua, Vernon Reid, Nuno Bettencourt, Adam Wakeman, Rudy Sarzo & Travis Barker)
16. Train Kept A-Rollin’
(Steven Tyler, Ronnie Wood, Nuno Bettencourt, Tom Morello, Andrew Watt, Rudy Sarzo & Travis Barker)
17. Walk This Way / Whole Lotta Love
(Steven Tyler, Nuno Bettencourt, Tom Morello, Andrew Watt, Rudy Sarzo & Chad Smith)

BONUS FOOTAGE
18. Backstage

Disc 3
GUNS N’ ROSES
1. Intro
2. It’s Alright
3. Never Say Die
4. Junior’s Eyes
5. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
6. Welcome To The Jungle
7. Paradise City

METALLICA
8. Intro
9. Hole In The Sky
10. Creeping Death
11. For Whom The Bell Tolls
12. Johnny Blade
13. Battery
14. Master Of Puppets

PRO-SHOT COLOUR NTSC Approx.71min.

Disc 4
OZZY OSBOURNE
1. Carl Orff “Carmina Burana”
2. I Don’t Know
3. Mr. Crowley
4. Suicide Solution
5. Mama, I’m Coming Home
6. Crazy Train

BLACK SABBATH
7. Sabbra Cadabra (Opening Film)
8. War Pigs
9. N.I.B.
10. Band Introductions
11. Iron Man
12. Paranoid

PRO-SHOT COLOUR NTSC Approx.66min.