A mostly-reunited Black Sabbath were welcomed as returning heroes Saturday night during their first hometown show in 13 years.
With drummer Bill Ward on the sidelines sitting things out, Sabbath hit the stage with substitute drummer Tommy Clufetos in tow.
Classic Rock reports three thousand people crammed into the O2 Academy to see the metal legends dig deep into their back catalogue for the warm-up show ahead of their appearance at the Download festival.
A black-clad Tony Iommi looked moved as the crowd chanted his name following set opener “Into The Void,” and again throughout the show.
There was little evidence of the controversy surrounding drummer Bill Ward’s absence. Though the band didn’t mention replacement Clufetos, the drummer received applause for a short drum solo before "Iron Man."
With Ozzy Osbourne sounding better than he has in years, Sabbath dusted down the likes of “Tomorrow’s Dream” and “Under The Sun” for the first time in years.
After the final song, “Paranoid,” the crowd chanted Iommi’s name before the lights came up.
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Black Sabbath
O2 Academy – Birmingham, UK – May 19, 2012
01 – Into The Void
02 – Under The Sun
03 – Snowblind
04 – War Pigs
05 – Wheels Of Confusion
06 – Electric Funeral
07 – Black Sabbath
08 – The Wizard
09 – Behind The Wall Of Sleep
10 – N.I.B.
11 – Fairies Wear Boots
12 – Tomorrow’s Dream
13 – Sweet Leaf
14 – Sympton Of The Universe (intro)
15 – Iron Man
16 – Dirty Women
17 – Children Of The Grave
18 – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (intro)
19 – Paranoid
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