He’s faced roaring crowds and guitar riffs that shook the earth — but standing beside his Black Sabbath brothers one final time, Tony Iommi admits, “It’s very nerve-racking.” As the curtain closed on a band that defined heavy metal, Iommi reflects on the weight of legacy, the pressure of perfection, and the bittersweet ache of saying goodbye. For him, the final show wasn’t just an ending — it was a reckoning.

Tony Iommi Opens Up About Black Sabbath’s Emotional Farewell Show with Ozzy Osbourne: “It Was Like We’d Never Been Apart”

In a heartfelt conversation on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk”, legendary guitarist Tony Iommi shared rare insights into Black Sabbath’s emotional farewell performance, titled “Back to the Beginning”, which took place on July 5th at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK — the band’s hometown.

This special event marked the reunion of the original Black Sabbath members, including Ozzy Osbourne, for what is widely seen as a final bow to their decades-spanning legacy. Reflecting on the lead-up to the show, Iommi admitted it had been a long time since he had seen his bandmates.

“I live in England and the other three are in the States,” Iommi noted. “So by everybody coming over, yes, we had time to talk and talk of old times. And it just slotted straight back into like we hadn’t left each other, which was great.”

The guitarist revealed the reunion stirred both nostalgia and nerves, especially considering they hadn’t performed with original drummer Bill Ward in over 20 years.

“It was hairy wondering what’s gonna happen, really,” Iommi confessed. “Because Bill, when he plays, he plays different things every time. So you just have to be on your toes.”

Despite the long hiatus, the chemistry between the band members quickly reignited — but the stakes were high. With a packed stadium and a global livestream audience, the pressure was intense.

“It was strange for us going on a big stage in front of a big audience, and also being streamed to millions of people,” he said. “It’s very nerve-racking for a one-off show. Normally we would do a tour and we’d be rolling, but to get all worked up for one show and then — bang, it’s over — seemed really strange.”

The “Back to the Beginning” concert served as a powerful closing chapter to the band’s remarkable journey. For Iommi and countless fans, it was more than just a performance — it was a tribute to shared history, resilience, and the enduring spirit of heavy metal.