At Saturday’s Back to the Beginning concert, Guns N’ Roses delivered a roaring salute to the godfathers of heavy metal by tearing into four Black Sabbath covers that had the crowd on its feet and craving more.
The long-anticipated event, which united some of hard rock and metal’s biggest names, was a celebration of Sabbath’s enduring legacy, with artists performing both their own hits and Sabbath classics in honour of Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell.
Axl Rose set the tone by opening with “It’s Alright” from 1976’s Technical Ecstasy, his vocals capturing the soulful essence of the track while Slash’s guitar added a bluesy edge. Without missing a beat, the band shifted into the driving power of “Never Say Die”, bringing fresh energy to the 1978 title track and igniting the crowd with its relentless pace.
They kept the Sabbath tribute rolling with “Junior’s Eyes,” digging into its deep grooves with layered guitars and pounding drums, while Axl’s vocals balanced rawness and reverence for Ozzy’s original delivery. The quartet of covers closed with an electrifying “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,” its iconic riff ringing out like a thunderclap across the venue, reminding everyone of the heavy sound that shaped generations.
After paying tribute, Guns N’ Roses turned up the nostalgia for their own fans, closing the six-song set with thunderous renditions of “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Paradise City.” It was a perfect blend of eras, linking Sabbath’s legacy with the enduring fire of GNR’s catalogue.
Three of the Guns N’ Roses Sabbath covers from the show are already circulating online, and they are well worth a watch if you want to witness the raw, live energy of GNR paying homage to their heroes.
Fans can still purchase live streaming access for the remainder of the show through the concert’s official website if you don’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime event.