Byrds

Black Sabbath strikes first chord, labels still cashing the aftershock decades later

Black Sabbath lights a fuse that still smolders. A seismic shift, their entrance into the scene sparks a chain reaction in music trends that, some argue, may unfurl across decades.

Seth Schachner, ex-Sony executive and current strategist, observes how powerhouse acts increasingly bank on momentum sparked years prior. The cash flow? Still heavily reliant on what legacy performers forged in the pre-digital wilderness.

Ozzy Osbourne trades pyrotechnics for poignancy in a five-song hometown farewell

Ozzy Osbourne closes the curtain on live performance with a five-song set during the "Back To The Beginning" event at Villa Park in Birmingham. Framed more as an epilogue than a grand finale, the gig marks his final bow under the sharp gaze of global attention.

More than five million fans stream the show, which features Ozzy backed not by BLACK SABBATH but his solo band. The performance straddles nostalgia and resignation, offering a quiet nod to legacy without overstating its punctuation.

Ozzy limps in, Iommi ghosts: Black Sabbath rehearse for July 5 swan song

Black Sabbath tease rehearsals for their final curtain call, “Back To The Beginning,” set for July 5 at Birmingham’s Villa Park. Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward pose for a photo, while Tony Iommi remains unseen though reportedly present.

Ozzy appears with a cane, still training despite recent surgeries and Parkinson’s. Sharon Osbourne insists the illness hasn’t dampened his voice. The band’s farewell includes acts like Metallica, Tool, Slayer, and a 48-hour livestream post-event.

Black Vinyl, No Pyrotechnics: Sabbath's *Eternal Idol* Gets a Quiet Reissue

Slated for July 25, Rhino Entertainment breathes digital and analog life back into BLACK SABBATH's “The Eternal Idol” with freshly remastered audio from original sources. The release follows a limited-edition April drop, clad in translucent red and spun at 140g, timed for Record Store Day.

The 2025 edition arrives across formats: CD, digital, and black vinyl, pointedly eschewing showmanship in favor of archival precision. A quiet resurrection, possibly more for archivists than celebrants.