2005 EUROPEAN TOUR REVIEWS

June 11th, 2005 - Download Festival - Donington Park, Derbyshire, U.K.

Darren Beckwith:

Hi All,
Well it was a great day at Donington!  Black Sabbath played a blinding set, pretty much the predicted set list.  [see right]

The highlights were "Dirty Women", which lasted forever with Tony at last getting his long solos in!!  Another fave was "The Wizard" with Ozzy on harmonica - fantastic.  Ozzy looked lean and on top form.  His voice was faultless and he looked like he really enjoyed himself!!

The song "Black Sabbath" was fantastic live with the low flying jets overhead landing at the local Airport.  Their flying just above the stage added to the atmosphere.

But I think I'm getting too old to stand near the front crushed and dodging bottles and crowd surfers!!  It was the first time my son had seen Sabbath live and he loved it!!

The only downside was "Fairies Wear Boots", which to my mind was spoilt with Bill Wards drumming, as it was just too slow and Ozzy seemed a little put off by this with side ways glances to Tony.

It has been 5 years since Sabbath last played the UK and who knows if they will be back.  But if they don't, they went out with a bang. Thanks guys for a great show.

Craig Storey:

Well, I finally did it…  After nearly 30 years of following the boys from Brum, I witnessed one of the most exciting gigs of my life.  When the lights went down and a Sabs medley came over the P.A., a lump came to my throat which is the honest truth.  And the blam!!!!!  "N.I.B." stormed out of the speakers and the Fab Four were blasting out their unique brand of heavy doom rock, whatever you want to call it!  Ozzy sounded a bit croaky early on, but he soon warmed up, as the band blasted their way through a sparkling set.  He must of got better, as he mooned to the audience, who lapped it up!!!!!!  "Dirty Women" was a great addition, and "Electric Funeral" was…well, electric to me man.

What struck me the most was the wide smiles from all the band.  My god they were tight as tight could be, especially Bill Ward.  It was a delight to see his hair had grown long again, ha!  Tony was coming up with all sorts of tricks and was amazing everyone with the sounds he wrung out of his guitar.  The lilting rain heralded the thunderous noize that is "Black Sabbath".  This seemed to make it all worth while really, but watching Ozzy play the harmonica made me chuckle for some reason.  Another highlight.

Of course, the set was over too soon as "Children Of The Grave" stormed out from four guys having the time of their lives.  We all drifted away to the P.A sounds of "Changes" (the Sabbath version), but not before Ozzy wished us all well and cautioned us with "Don't do anything I wouldn't do.  Errmm...,  in that case that means everything, 'cause the missus is here."

Priceless guys.  And they showed the younger bands of the day exactly how to rock and roll.  Thanks, and guys, come back soon.  I love you all.

Gary Forrester (Hull, U.K.):

Saw Black Sabbath on Saturday night at Castle Donington and I can honestly say it is the best performance I've seen of them since the reunion. Sound was incredible and Ozzy was fantastic.  Some of the younger audience members who had never seen him live before couldn't believe this was the same man they see on the T.V.  This was my 16th time I'd seen Ozzy dating back to October 1980 and its the most energetic and happy I have ever seen him.  He was loving it.  Set list predictable though, but it didn't spoil great concert.

U.K. Music Fans Get Festival Fever (BBC News - 6/10/05)

Black Sabbath Rock Download (NME - 6/12/2005)

Download's Sabbath Ends Monsterously! (Virtual Festivals - 6/12/05)

Hurrah It's Festival Time! (by Davina Earl for Gigwise.com - 6/12/05)

Saturday Overview (by Luke Seagraves for Efestivals.co.uk - 6/12/2005)

Worshipping At The Altar Of Heavy Metal (by Andrew Perry for Arts.Telegraph - 6/13/2005)

The Legends Return (by Andrew Latham for RoomThirteen.com - 6/13/2005)

Mojo Barriers UK at Download (by Sarah Rushton-Read for L&Si Online - 6/23/2005)