THE BEAST

Kerry King Reveals SLAYER's BLACK SABBATH Cover for Ozzy Osbourne's Final Concert

In a recent interview with SPIN , Kerry King, the legendary guitarist of SLAYER, shared exciting details about the band’s performance at Ozzy Osbourne and BLACK SABBATH's final concert on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England. SLAYER will be covering a BLACK SABBATH classic as part of this historic event, marking a monumental moment for both the fans and the band.

SLAYER's BLACK SABBATH Cover – A Tribute to Rock History

Kerry King revealed that he and SLAYER drummer Paul Bostaph have already been rehearsing the SABBATH tune that SLAYER will perform at the iconic concert. King stated, “That’s an important day. I think that’s going to be a huge moment for the fans, but it’s going to be a huge moment for me. It’s a huge moment in rock history.”

This marks a special occasion for SLAYER, as the band famously covered BLACK SABBATH’s “Hand Of Doom” for the 2000 tribute album Nativity In Black II: A Tribute To Black Sabbath . The July 5 event, billed as “Back To The Beginning,” sold out in less than 10 minutes, drawing fans from all over the world for the ultimate farewell to the metal legends.

A Historic Event: BLACK SABBATH's Original Lineup Reunites

Ozzy Osbourne’s final concert will not only feature SLAYER but will also showcase a historic reunion of BLACK SABBATH’s original lineup. This marks the first time in 20 years that Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward will perform together on stage. This legendary gathering will make the concert an unforgettable milestone in rock history.

Other major names set to perform at the event include METALLICA, GUNS N' ROSES, TOOL, PANTERA, GOJIRA, ALICE IN CHAINS, HALESTORM, LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX, and MASTODON. In addition to the headlining acts, a supergroup of musicians will perform, featuring prominent figures like Duff McKagan and Slash (GUNS N' ROSES), Billy Corgan (THE SMASHING PUMPKINS), Fred Durst (LIMP BIZKIT), K.K. Downing (JUDAS PRIEST), Jake E. Lee (OZZY OSBOURNE), and many others.

Kerry King's BLACK SABBATH Favorite – "Sabotage"

In a recent interview with Wall Of Sound , Kerry King was asked which BLACK SABBATH album he would take with him if the planet were facing destruction. His answer was simple yet profound: Sabotage (1975). "Something about the vibe on that record. It’s cool. I mean, they’re all cool, but there’s something about that one,” King said. He particularly praised the tracks "Symptom Of The Universe" and "Megalomania," which he describes as "nonstop badassery."

Back in 2017, King also listed Sabotage as one of his favorite metal albums, highlighting its heavy and timeless sound. “It has ‘Megalomania,’ ‘Symptom Of The Universe,’ which definitely has attitude, and ‘Hole In The Sky,’” he told Rolling Stone . “It’s a very heavy record.”

Kerry King and Tony Iommi – Overcoming Hero Worship

In a candid moment, Kerry King shared his experience of meeting one of his biggest heroes, Tony Iommi of BLACK SABBATH. Despite being a long-time fan, King revealed that meeting Iommi for the first time was nerve-wracking: "It was fucking Tony; he’s the godfather of all this shit," he admitted. "I couldn’t talk to him for a while. But in 2006, I finally got over it. I was presenting him with an award, and I was nervous as hell."

Once they connected, King felt a sense of camaraderie with Iommi, saying, “I felt like we were bros after that. It was cool.”

Kerry King's Solo Project – From Hell I Rise

While SLAYER fans eagerly anticipate the band’s involvement in Ozzy Osbourne’s final concert, Kerry King is also focusing on his solo project. His debut solo album, From Hell I Rise , was released in May 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music. The album features a stellar lineup, including Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL) on vocals, Phil Demmel (MACHINE HEAD, VIO-LENCE) on guitar, Kyle Sanders (HELLYEAH) on bass, and Paul Bostaph (SLAYER, TESTAMENT) on drums.

King, who wrote all the material for From Hell I Rise , worked with producer Josh Wilbur (known for his work with KORN, LAMB OF GOD, and AVENGED SEVENFOLD) to craft a heavy and impactful sound. Fans of King’s iconic guitar work are in for a treat as From Hell I Rise delivers a unique, powerful listening experience.

Final Thoughts – SLAYER, BLACK SABBATH, and Rock History

As SLAYER prepares to take part in Ozzy Osbourne’s final concert, their tribute to BLACK SABBATH will be one of the event's most anticipated moments. This historic performance will celebrate not only the legacy of BLACK SABBATH but also the ongoing influence of SLAYER in the world of heavy metal.

With a star-studded lineup and the reunion of BLACK SABBATH’s original lineup, Ozzy’s farewell concert is shaping up to be one of the most memorable events in rock history. For fans of both SLAYER and BLACK SABBATH, July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime event that you won’t want to miss.