In what can only be described as a **once-in-a-lifetime moment in rock history**, *Guns N’ Roses* just blew the roof off the O2 Arena in London at **Ozzy Osbourne’s emotional farewell show**, *Back to the Beginning* — and their set was nothing short of legendary.
With the Prince of Darkness taking his final bow, GN’R took the stage not just to perform, but to **honor the godfathers of heavy metal themselves: Black Sabbath**. And in true Guns N’ Roses fashion, they didn’t just cover Sabbath — they *resurrected* them.
The result? **Four bone-rattling Sabbath covers**, a fired-up crowd of 20,000 strong, and a finale so explosive it has the entire rock world talking.
Axl’s Soulful Surprise: “It’s Alright”
The tribute began in a way no one expected. Under dim lights and a single spotlight on a grand piano, **Axl Rose opened the set with a haunting rendition of “It’s Alright,” a deep cut from Sabbath’s 1976 *Technical Ecstasy album.
Known more for his shrieking high notes and wild stage presence, Axl instead tapped into a **soulful, almost gospel-inspired delivery** that drew stunned silence from the crowd before erupting into cheers.
Fans described it as “goosebumps-inducing” and “a side of Axl we haven’t seen since November Rain.
One fan posted:
Didn’t expect to cry during a Sabbath tribute, but Axl just baptized us in blues. Absolutely insane.
From Soul to Fire: “Never Say Die” and Beyond
But the mood didn’t stay mellow for long.
As the final piano note faded, the lights exploded and **Slash kicked in with the ferocious riff of “Never Say Die.”** Backed by the thunderous rhythm section of Duff McKagan and Frank Ferrer, the band launched into full-blown Sabbath mode — and the crowd lost its mind.
Wearing a vintage Sabbath tee, Axl stormed across the stage, belting the lyrics with an energy that felt both reverent and rebellious — everything Sabbath stood for.
But it didn’t stop there. GN’R followed up with **two more Sabbath covers** that pushed the crowd over the edge:
“Children of the Grave” driven by a brutal, stomping groove that had the entire arena headbanging in unison.
* **“Fairies Wear Boots”** — a psychedelic, snarling romp that gave Slash room to unleash one of the most mind-bending solos of the night.
Together, these four covers weren’t just nods to Sabbath — they were **a masterclass in musical inheritance**. GN’R made it clear: without Black Sabbath, there would be no Guns N’ Roses.
Ozzy’s Reaction: A Fist in the Air
Ozzy, who watched from side-stage, was visibly moved. Cameras caught him **throwing his fist in the air**, mouthing along to the lyrics and even wiping away tears during “It’s Alright.”
Later in the night, during his final appearance on stage, Ozzy addressed the crowd:
These boys did Sabbath proud tonight. Axl, Slash — you mad bastards — thank you. This is what rock and roll is *supposed* to feel like.” Classic GN’R: “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Paradise City” Bring the House Down
After the Sabbath tribute, GN’R shifted gears and reminded everyone that **they’re still kings of their own domain
The iconic opening scream of **“Welcome to the Jungle”** sent a bolt of electricity through the audience. Pyro, lasers, and a band locked into pure overdrive — it was as intense as it was nostalgic.
And just when fans thought it couldn’t get louder, **“Paradise City”** blasted through the speakers like a war cry. Confetti rained from the ceiling, fireworks lit the sky inside the dome, and every voice in the house screamed the chorus in unison.
Metal World Reacts: “Rock History Was Made Tonight”
The metal and rock communities have been in a frenzy since the performance.
Lars Ulrich (Metallica)** tweeted: *“What GN’R just did for Sabbath was nothing short of historic. Total respect.
Zakk Wylde** called the tribute “one of the heaviest, most soulful nods to Ozzy’s legacy I’ve ever seen.”
Rolling Stone posted a headline within minutes: Guns N’ Roses Just Delivered the Greatest Black Sabbath Tribute Ever — And It Was Live.
Fans online echoed the sentiment:
Best live show I’ve seen in 20 years.”
This is how legends honor legends.
Axl sounded better than ever. Slash was on fire. This wasn’t a concert — it was a statement.
A New Chapter for Two Icons
Ozzy’s *Back to the Beginning* show marks the official end of his touring career — a career that shaped heavy metal from the ground up. But Guns N’ Roses used the night not only to honor that foundation, but to **remind the world they’re still writing their own story.**
With whispers of a **final studio album in 2026** (as previously confirmed by Axl) and rumors of a **“Legacy Tour”** next year, GN’R has proven once again they are far more than nostalgia — they’re still a living, breathing force of nature.
One Night. One Stage. Infinite Legacy.
In the pantheon of rock shows, July 11, 2025, will go down as one for the ages.
Two titans — one saying farewell, the other saluting him with flames, fury, and feeling.
Black Sabbath gave us the foundation. Guns N’ Roses just carved the headstone: powerful, loud, unapologetic.
And if this is the new standard for tribute shows, everyone else has a hell of a lot to live up to.
Follow us for exclusive backstage footage, fan reactions, and interviews from this unforgettable night.**
Long live rock. Long live Ozzy. Long live Guns N’ Roses.
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