In a monumental moment for heavy metal enthusiasts, Lamb of God took the stage at Ozzy Osbourne's emotional farewell concert, titled Back to the Beginning, held in his native Birmingham, England. Just hours after their electrifying performance, where they paid homage to Black Sabbath by covering the iconic track “Children of the Grave,” the band announced the release of a newly recorded studio version of the classic song from Black Sabbath's seminal album, Master of Reality.

Expressing his admiration, Lamb of God lead guitarist Mark Morton shared his thoughts in a heartfelt statement: “Lamb of God being invited to perform with Black Sabbath at their final show is one of the greatest honors of our career. As an offering to the celebration, we’ve recorded our take on their classic ‘Children of the Grave,’ a protest song with lyrics that are as relevant today as they were in 1971 when the original was released.” This sentiment underscores the enduring impact of Black Sabbath’s music, as well as its significance in the current sociopolitical climate.

The all-star Back to the Beginning concert showcased a plethora of heavy metal and hard rock legends, each delivering mini-sets that featured unique interpretations of both Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's classic hits. Among the performances, Metallica took the stage to offer their renditions of Black Sabbath’s “Hole in the Sky” and “Johnny Blade,” while Guns N’ Roses filled their set with a selection of Sabbath favorites, including “It’s Alright,” “Never Say Die,” “Junior’s Eyes,” and “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.”

In addition to Lamb of God’s tribute, other heavyweights of the genre contributed their own covers during the concert at Villa Park. Notable performances included Tool, who played “Hand of Doom,” Anthrax tackling “Into the Void,” Pantera with their acclaimed rendition of “Planet Caravan,” and Slayer delivering “Wicked World.” Each of these bands showcased the profound influence that Black Sabbath's music has had across generations of heavy metal artists.

Mark Morton elaborated on the significance of Black Sabbath's legacy, stating, “Black Sabbath invented heavy metal and in doing so, they changed the world. This genre that they created brings immeasurable joy to fans all over the world. We are so grateful to have the heavy metal community to call our home, and so grateful to Black Sabbath for the gift of their music that they’ve given to all of us.” This acknowledgment highlights how the genre has not only shaped music but also crafted a community of passionate fans and artists alike.

The concert culminated in what was an emotional finale, featuring a five-song solo set from Ozzy Osbourne himself. Following this, the original four members of Black Sabbath reunited for what would be their final performance together, delivering an unforgettable five-song set that included enduring classics such as “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid.” The night served not just as a farewell to a legendary artist but as a heartfelt celebration of the music that has defined a genre.