“Surprise! The world’s worst-kept secret is now official… we are bringing our No Repeat Weekends to Sphere in Las Vegas this fall,” they announced last week, accompanying it with an update in their usual personal style on 2 March that “due to unbelievable demand (wow, guys!) SIX SHOWS are being added to our Life Burns Faster residency at Sphere in Las Vegas.” The fan club presale for the shows will take place on 4 March.

The band have also declared that these dates will keep the ‘No Repeat Weekend’ pattern of their current M72 world tour, running since 2023. The band have taken to playing two gigs in every venue, playing entirely different setlists on each night, incorporating both their stadium crowd pleasers like ‘Enter Sandman’ and ‘Master of Puppets’ with deeper tracks like ‘Hit The Lights’ and ‘The Day That Never Comes’ for the diehards.

The Sphere has become a prestigious landmark in the Vegas music scene since its opening in 2023. Attached to the Venetian Resort, it boasts a 20,000 capacity with a surrounding screen display and 4D features to heighten the concert experience beyond merely a traditional stage and arena format. The first artist to headline it was Irish arena rock band U2, whose 40 date run at the venue saw the band play their 1991 classic ‘Achtung Baby’ in full. Since then, several bands have performed there, like the Backstreet Boys, Eagles and No Doubt, all playing special setlists and many releasing concert footage.   Music is not the only attraction the Sphere has offered, having also ran a successful 4D version of 1939 children’s classic The Wizard of Oz.

Metallica will be the first metal band to headline, fresh off their three year M72 trek across the globe in support of their album ‘72 Seasons’, which went to number one in many countries across the world, including the UK, Australia and France, going gold in Germany and France. The tour continues across Europe until July, supported by French environmental groove metallers Gojira and a recalibrated Pantera as well as hardcore phenomenon Knocked Loose and Sweden’s groovy, melodic death metallists Avatar. The band will next roll through the UK in June and July doing both one night and ‘No Repeat Weekend’ sets.

The Californian thrashers’ Sphere dates will run from 1 October, with the extended dates so far unannounced. The original run was intended to last until Halloween night, with announcements regarding specific dates coming in due course.

The concert will also include a small set from Ozzy Osbourne himself, and will be closed by the iconic band. The lineup also includes musicians from around the world will also be on hand to pay tribute, including Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), David Draiman (Disturbed), Duff McKagan & Slash (Guns N’ Roses), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Jake E Lee, Jonathan Davis (Korn), K.K. Downing, Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Mike Bordin (Faith No More), Rudy Sarzo, Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian (Anthrax), II (Sleep Token), Papa V Perpetua (Ghost), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Wolfgang Van Halen, and Zakk Wylde.

Because the concert, which is already sold out, will draw an extensive amount of people to Birmingham, Birmingham Live reports that hotels near Villa Park, where the legendary metal band will perform their final show on July 5, have increased their rates by as much as 725%.

The article offers a comparison of The Apollo Hotel on Hagley Road, which is a prime example of this surge. A ‘superior’ double room without breakfast was listed at £619 for the night of the concert on Hotels.com. In contrast, the same room for the previous Saturday, booked through the same platform, was priced at just £75.

Birmingham Live also notes a Travelodge at Broadway Plaza, 14 minutes from the venue, where a room priced at £53.99 on June 28 surges to £319.99 on July 5. Likewise, in Yardley, a 22-minute drive from Villa Park, a Travelodge room that costs £47.99 the week before Back to the Beginning will rise to £303.99 on the night of the event.

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The event, named ‘Back to the Beginning’, will take place Saturday 5 July, with Ozzy Osbourne, Tommy Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward reuniting for the first time in two decades.  

Sabbath originally said goodbye to fans with their The End tour in 2016-17, ending it with one last show in their native Birmingham at the Genting Arena (since renamed Bp pulse LIVE). Speaking to Rolling Stone in 2020, Osbourne said: “The only thing I do regret is not doing the last farewell show in Birmingham with Bill Ward. I felt really bad about that. It would have been so nice.”

The one-off reunion comes as Osbourne battles Parkinson’s disease, which the singer was diagnosed with in 2019, and publicly announced in 2020. Osbourne’s last live performance came in 2022 when he opened up the NFL season with a seven-minute set.  

Speaking on US radio station SiriusXM, The Prince of Darkness said: “I have made it to 2025. I can’t walk, but you know what I was thinking over the holidays? For all my complaining, I’m still alive.” His wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne reassured fans in an exclusive interview with The Sun, saying, “It affects different parts of the body, and it’s affected his legs. But his voice is as good as it’s ever been.”

 

 

 

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Villa Park holds a special significance for the band. Osbourne, Iommi and Butler are all lifelong Aston Villa supporters. The club recently honoured the band’s frontman with a giant tifo in January’s home fixture against Scottish team Celtic in the Champions League.

Fans have speculated about a potential Black Sabbath show at Villa Park, with one Reddit user posting in 2021, “It’s been my dream gig for quite a few years, Black Sabbath returning to Aston to headline Villa Park.” With Ward returning for their last show, fans will be rushing to get tickets for this huge occasion.

Black Sabbath at Villa Park – a dream.
byu/SmellsLikeBigCheese inavfc

The supporting lineup would be festival-worthy by itself, with Metallica, Slipknot, and Judas Priest among the acts set to descend upon the Midlands. Metallica took to X, posting, “Our admiration for Black Sabbath runs deep, and we can’t wait to join them in Birmingham.” Another group on the bill, Alice In Chains, called it an “honour” to play alongside Black Sabbath. 

Our admiration for @BlackSabbath runs deep, and we can’t wait to join them in Birmingham, England, on July 5 for Back to the Beginning: The Final Show! Tickets go on sale Friday, February 14, at 10 AM GMT / 5 AM EST / 2 AM PST. pic.twitter.com/h7DuP9xZ9C

— Metallica (@Metallica) February 5, 2025

Tickets have been a hot topic, with plenty of fans guessing at prices for standing and seating. Tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster, leading some fans to speculate on whether the event will feature dynamic pricing or not.

Proceeds from the event will support Cure Parkinson’s, Acorns Children’s Hospice, and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Helen Matthews, CEO of Cure Parkinson’s, stated, “The funds raised will make a huge difference in helping to support vital research into finding a cure for Parkinson’s – a cure that is so urgently needed.”   

Acorns CEO Trevor Johnson also took to social media to express his thanks, saying, “On behalf of everyone at Acorns, and the children and families we support, our deepest thanks to Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, and all the fans attending Back to the Beginning… Your kindness will help to ensure children and families facing unimaginable journeys are never alone.”

 

 

 

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Black Sabbath’s last show is shaping up to be a historic moment for music as a whole. For the fans, it is a chance to give the Godfathers of Heavy Metal a fitting send off just months after they were each honoured with the Freedom of Birmingham, as well as raising funds for some fitting causes.

Tickets go on general sale Friday 14 February, and can be found here.

Ozzy has not performed a full concert since 2018, however his son Jack says he’s still keen to do one-off shows. Talking to The Messenger, Jack said, “I don’t think he’ll tour again. But he’s gunning to do one-off shows — like festivals, gigs, things like that. He’s not done yet.”

Speaking on his health himself, Ozzy shared, “Unfortunately, my body is telling me that I’m just not ready [to perform] yet and I am much too proud to have the first show that I do in nearly five years be half-assed.” He released this statement following the cancellation of his slot at Power Festival in California, where he was set to headline alongside Metallica, AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses.

Ozzy also revealed on SiriusXM’s Ozzy Speaks that he recently had a blood clot removed from an artery. He said, “When I had the blood clots in my legs, they put a filter in your artery to stop the blood clots going to your heart and your brain. It sounds worse than it is.”

He continued, “So, on Monday, I went to have it removed. The blood clots have jammed you all up. It’s just disappointment after disappointment. Just get this thing fucking done so I can go get on with my life.”

Despite his multiple health concerns, Ozzy is keen to keep performing despite retiring from touring. He said, “You can’t retire from this game. It’s not a job, it’s a fucking passion.”

Ozzy has also announced his plans to record an LP in 2024, sharing, “I’m just starting to work on it now, and we’ll be recording in the early part of next year. I want to take my time with this one!”

He also took to social media to share the 40th Anniversary vinyl reissue of his iconic album, Bark at the Moon. The album was released on 15th November 1983 after the release of the titular track earlier on, becoming triple platnum in the US.

Back on Vinyl! Out Now! https://t.co/jzs5bpvf6d pic.twitter.com/shqZCj6Tkx

— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) November 17, 2023

November 12, 1983 “Bark at the Moon” single was released. Watch the original music video in HD on @YouTube at https://t.co/mrW4f3afnU pic.twitter.com/GfT72oVk4a — Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) November 12, 2023

Power Trip is an upcoming heavy metal music festival set to take place on 6th-8th October. Although this is the first instance of the event, it is being described as a sequel to 2016’s Desert Trip, a 6 day festival that also took place in Indio, California. Headliners of Desert Trip included Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and The Who.

The rockstar was set to perform at Power Trip this October alongside headliners Metallica, AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses. However, in a statement released in July, Osbourne revealed that “Unfortunately, my body is telling me that I’m just not ready yet and I am much too proud to have the first show that I do in nearly five years be half-assed”.

As painful as this is, I’ve had to make the decision to bow out of performing on Power Trip in October.

My original plan was to return to the stage in the summer of 2024, & when the offer to do this show came in, I optimistically moved forward.

Unfortunately, my body is… pic.twitter.com/gHWEE8VuI6

— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) July 10, 2023

It has since been revealed that Judas Priest will serve as Ozzy’s replacement at the upcoming event.

The 74-year-old acquired a neck injury after a fall in 2019 that required 2 metal plates to be inserted into his spine. The result of this caused the singer more pain, and meant he required more surgery last year, from which he is still recovering. The heavy metal legend has also been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, all of which contributed to his decision to retire from touring. Osbourne made the announcement of his retirement on February 1st.

This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans… pic.twitter.com/aXGw3fjImo

— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) February 1, 2023

Although the English rocker was optimistic about being able to return to the stage, his wife Sharon Osbourne stated in an interview with Rolling Stone that “He’s doing a lot better, but he still has a long way to go before he can perform a full concert.”

Sharon was joined by daughter Kelly Osbourne, who, when asked about her father’s decision not to perform at Power Trip, claimed that “We can’t talk about it in the house because it is just so heartbreaking to see that all he wants is just one more show”. 

“He said that if he can’t give his fans what they paid to see, he won’t do it”.

Although this decision was clearly very tough to make, Ozzy Osbourne assured fans in his announcement, “I love you all and I will see you soon.” 

Enigmatic frontman Maynard James Keenan will be joined by his band Puscifier for their electrifying Download debut on the Opus stage on Thursday night. The band has found the time to squeeze in the festival amid their worldwide tour in support of their remix album Existential Reckoning: Re-Wired, which came out in March.

On again off again English alt-rock band Hundred Reasons will also be performing showcasing their new fifth studio album and first album in over 15 years Glorious Sunset. Watch the band’s latest music video for “Replicate” below:

Toronto hardcore band Cancer Bats, Leeds newcomers Static Dress, New York pop punk band State Champs, Newcastle metal band Rituals, and the darlings of rock & roll The Cherry Bombs are some of the much-welcomed additions to the line-up. Casey, Punk Rock Factory, Haken, Snayx, and Redhook have also been crammed into the packed bill.

The festival has also now revealed its stage splits with set times to follow. To see what bands will be playing where visit here.

Download announced the headliners for this year’s festival back in November. America’s biggest heavy metal band Metallica will be playing “TWO completely unique sets on Thursday and Saturday” according to the organisers. Legendary British rockers Bring Me the Horizon will be headlining the festival for the first time on Friday. American metal royalty Slipknot will be headlining the festival for the fourth time and closing out the festival on Sunday.

The festival previously confirmed that bands such as Five Finger Death Punch, Nova Twins, Ghost, Neck Deep, Evanescence, The Distillers, Deaf Havana, Jinjer, Placebo, Mom Jeans, Crawlers, and Architects would be amongst the hundreds of acts performing at the four-day event.

Musing with NME on the secret to the festival’s success, Download boss and booker Andy Copping said, “I think the secret is that you’ve just gotta keep driving to get better. From the very first year, we’ve tried to get better bands, better the layout, better the campsite and better the experience. You can’t rest on your laurels.”

Unfortunately for those who missed out Download has completely sold out this year. For the first time in the festival’s history, all select day tickets as well as weekend tickets have been snapped up by festival lovers.

Every year the festival runs over the course of a well invested three days. However, this year is a special edition of four days packed up to the brim with industry leading bands within the rock and heavy metal scene. Their roster is looking juicy with a now confirmed 60 acts on the list. The meal prep for the final main dish is in full swing and it’s already starting to smell good.

The appetising line-up announced for this year 2023, will be lead by three unmissable headline acts such as the eminent Metallica, playing for the first time since 2012 at said festival with a fortunate two headlining shows on the Thursday, 8th of June  and Saturday, 10th of June, showcasing two completely different sets with unrepeated setlists. Alongside them, the Sheffield band Bring Me The Horizon will be taking the headline position on the Thursday, 8th June and Slipknot will be taking the main stage on the Sunday, 11th June.

Like every year, the event is held in the hallowed grounds of rock, Donington Park, next to East Midland Airport located in a spot where Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire come to meet, with this years landing on the 8th of June running through to the 11th of June.

The headliners will be accompanied by a number of respected bands such as Evanescence, Parkway Drive, Disturbed, Alexisonfire, Ghost, The Distillers, Architects, I Prevail, The Blackout, Motionless In White, Placebo, Fever 333, Municipal Waste and a great selection more.

It is clear the bands contain a special spot for the festival. This is notable as Slipknot turntablist mentioned: “Download Festival! So many great memories, one of the most amazing crowds to play in front of, always an honour to share the bill with so many amazing bands, and of course, I’ll never miss the opportunity to play my homeland.” 

As well as a heartfelt Metallica stating : “We are next-level honoured to once again come back and partake in the Download shenanigans on the hallowed grounds of Castle Donington, which has an unparalleled place in rock history. On top of that, to be able to share our double show format with two completely unique sets with no repeat songs for the first time ever in the UK is way fuckin’ cool. Bring it on!!”

Tickets are on sale here.

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The UK Official Charts have confirmed that “Master Of Puppets” has placed at number 22 within this week’s UK singles charts, its peak position after initially re-entering the charts. The track first re-appeared within the UK singles charts last week when it placed at number 47, the influential song’s resurgence is cited to its use within the second chapter of the fourth season of Stranger Things. The scene which features “Master Of Puppets” sees break-out character Eddie Munson perform the song whilst saving the world with the gift of rock.

The band themselves have also weighed in on their 1986 single’s newfound fame, Metallica stated, “[We’re] beyond psyched for them to not only include Master of Puppets in the show, but to have such a pivotal scene built around it. We were all stoked to see the final result and when we did we were totally blown away. It’s so extremely well done, so much so, that some folks were able to guess the song just by seeing a few seconds of Joseph Quinn’s hands in the trailer!! How crazy cool is that?”

The heavy metal heroes have also provided a statement concerning the new audience acquired due to Stranger Things, “It’s an incredible honour to be such a big part of Eddie’s journey and to once again be keeping company with all of the other amazing artists featured in the show.”

 

 

 

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Since the episode has aired the track became a viral success, with many users and creators utilising the song in their social media content. Much to the joy of fans of the show, Metallica have also jumped on the trend and have posted a duet alongside the emotional scene. Within the post the band play “Master Of Puppets” alongside a caption which reads “Eddie, this one is for you”, shadowing a key line within is said by Eddie before he proceeds to play a triumphant rendition of the beloved metal song.

Elsewhere within the album charts this week another re-entry has occurred; Harry’s House by Harry Styles has reclaimed the number one position. This week marks the album’s fifth non-consecutive week at number one, after holding the position for multiple weeks the album was knocked off the top spot by Paolo Nutini’s album Last Night In the Bittersweet. Styles’ third studio album is currently second on the UK Official Chart’s compiled list of this year’s biggest albums, it was announced that Ed Sheeran’s = was this year’s largest selling album so far.

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The duo’s Summer smash sees the band utilise a sample from the 1975 song “I Can’t Stop (Turning You On)” by Silk, the single’s accompanying music video echoes the track’s disco influence with beautifully shot dancefloor scenes. The track first gained traction within social media and became a viral hit within the popular app TikTok, the song’s popularity then transferred into chart sales, accumulating over 5.5 million streams this week.

Speaking on their chart win to OfficialCharts.com, LF System gave the following statement, “We’re absolutely over the moon. Thank you to everybody for buying it, streaming it and showing all of the love in the world towards it. We just want to say a massive thank you!”

Elsewhere within the charts, “As It Was” by Harry Styles proves its staying power and places at number two. Last week’s number one and record-breaking single “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush has charted as this week’s number three. Placing at number four within this week’s UK singles chart is Beyonce’s latest single “Break My Soul”, the track is the lead single from her upcoming seventh studio album Renaissance. Closing this week’s UK top 5 singles chart is ”Green Green Grass” by George Ezra, taken from the Brit award-winning singer’s third studio album Gold Rush Kid.

Similar to the meteoric comeback of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill”, “Master Of Puppets” by Metallica has re-entered the UK charts due to its use within the successful Netflix TV show Stranger Things. Since its release over 36 years ago, the song has become a celebrated heavy metal track and is widely regarded as a vital part of the genre’s canon. Due to its use within an emotional scene, the track has also enjoyed a resurgence of popularity and has placed at number 47 within this week’s UK singles charts.

Music fans are predicting the track to climb even more places to chart higher in next week’s singles charts, if the influential song was to place within the top 40 it would mark the band’s first Uk top 40 single in 14 years. The metal icons last appeared within the UK Official Singles Chart Top 40 in 2008 with the single “The Day That Never Comes”, the track was taken from the album Death Magnetic which reached the top of the UK album charts.

Metallica is celebrating thirty years of self-titled, or commonly known as: ‘The Black Album’. Known to most as the album that brought the band into the eye of the mainstream. The band has been collaborating with other artists to bring reimaginings of the songs to its adoring crowd. The Blacklist will feature such artists as St. Vincent, Corey Taylor, Weezer, and many more.

This is an important song to get behind because of the support it is raising. With half of the proceeds going to Metallica’s charity ‘All Within my Hands’ and, chosen charity by Royal Blood, ‘Chestnut Tree House’- a children’s hospital, based in their hometown of Brighton.

“It was an honour to be asked to be a part of this, and we’re very happy to be supporting the All Within My Hands Foundation and Chestnut Tree House,” Royal Blood on their choice to support the children’s hospital.

The cover is also met with an interesting video (see above) directed by Aaron Hymes. Which mimics the hopelessness of the song into the primary character. Watch as we follow this faceless figure through a maze that never seems to end. Feeling like a world away from the band’s previous videos, on songs like: ‘Lights out’, and playful, Just Dance-like, video for ‘Oblivion’, released earlier this year.

The Blacklist is coming to streaming platforms on September 10th, with CD and vinyl realize will follow on October 1st. Coming together to feel like an incredible project by the 53 bands involved. With Fans anticipating the arrival of Ghost’s cover of “Enter Sandman”, Chase and Status’ take on “Wherever I May Roam” featuring Backroad Gee, and Phoebe Bridges giving us “Nothing Else Matters“, the album is shaping up to be one for the Pre-order.

Photo from Warner Records