🕯 The Final Bow of Heavy Metal Royalty
When Black Sabbath took their final bow in 2017 during “The End” tour — specifically their last concert in their hometown of Birmingham — it was more than just the closing act of a tour. It marked the conclusion of a genre-defining legacy, the farewell of the band that gave birth to heavy metal.
The show was emotional, loud, legendary — everything you’d expect from Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler. But behind the scenes, in the shadowy depths of rehearsal rooms and tour planning meetings, there existed a list. A setlist of dreams, songs practiced, discussed, debated… and ultimately left out of that final performance.
Why? Let’s go behind the curtains.
🎶 The Setlist That Was Played
Before diving into what wasn’t played, it’s important to recognize the actual set that defined Black Sabbath’s farewell. The gig leaned heavily on early classics, a return to their raw roots. Tracks like:
- “Black Sabbath”
- “Fairies Wear Boots”
- “War Pigs”
- “Iron Man”
- “Children of the Grave”
- “Paranoid”
It was a powerful, nostalgic mix, mostly culled from the band’s first four albums. Fans were elated — but also quietly hoping for some rare gems.
What they didn’t know is that the band did rehearse more — including deep cuts and fan favorites — but made tough choices based on logistics, emotions, and even health.
📜 Songs Practiced but Left Out
Here are a few songs Black Sabbath reportedly rehearsed for the farewell gig but chose not to perform, and the deeper reasons behind those decisions.
1. “The Wizard”
Why fans wanted it:
It’s one of Sabbath’s earliest tracks and a unique one at that — featuring harmonica and a bluesy vibe that predates their heavier doom-laden sound.
Why it was cut:
Despite rehearsals, it was said that Ozzy Osbourne struggled with the harmonica timing during live run-throughs. Plus, the harmonica solo posed a risky shift in the set’s heavy, dark tone. While beloved by purists, it may have broken the flow of what was intended to be a “metal-forward” goodbye.
2. “Symptom of the Universe”
Why fans wanted it:
Often cited as one of the blueprints for thrash metal, this track is aggressive, fast, and a perfect demonstration of Iommi’s riff genius.
Why it was cut:
Simply put: vocal strain. The rapid-fire delivery and vocal climbs were too taxing for Ozzy, especially on the tail end of a long tour. While rehearsed in short bursts, it became clear the energy needed for this song wasn’t sustainable for a high-stakes final show.
3. “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”
Why fans wanted it:
It’s majestic, moody, and layered. A perfect example of Sabbath’s evolution into more experimental songwriting.
Why it was cut:
This one is almost mythical — fans swear they heard it teased during soundchecks. And it was rehearsed. But the complexity of the arrangement, especially live, without original drummer Bill Ward or keyboard support from earlier tours, made it feel incomplete. Sabbath chose power over risk — and this track, sadly, didn’t make the cut.
4. “Supernaut”
Why fans wanted it:
It’s a riff-driven juggernaut and one of Tony Iommi’s personal favorites.
Why it was cut:
Though practiced early during the farewell tour, it gradually vanished from setlist rotations. One insider claimed that the drum groove felt “off” without Bill Ward’s specific swing feel — something not easily replicated. Since they didn’t want to present a watered-down version of such a pivotal track, they passed.
5. “N.I.B.”
Why fans wanted it:
This one hurts. It’s among Sabbath’s most iconic bass intros and lyrical storytelling.
Why it was cut:
Surprisingly, it was on the rehearsal schedule multiple times, and Geezer Butler was ready. However, Ozzy allegedly requested a tighter, more energetic opener instead — leading to its exclusion. Some say it was an “emotional decision” — N.I.B. carried deep, personal energy from the early days, and the band wanted to focus on songs they could enjoy performing fully without overwhelming sentiment.
🎤 The Emotional Factor
The Black Sabbath farewell gig wasn’t just a concert — it was a goodbye to a career spanning nearly 50 years. Every choice in that final setlist had to balance physical limitations, technical feasibility, and emotional weight.
Ozzy, in particular, was said to be deeply moved during rehearsals of certain songs. Some tracks, especially from the early 70s, reportedly brought him to tears — reminding him of old friends, lost moments, and battles with addiction. Choosing which songs to cut wasn’t just about sound — it was about emotional survival.
🥁 The Missing Element: Bill Ward
The absence of Bill Ward, the original drummer, played a significant role in which songs were rehearsed but dropped. While replacement drummers did a stellar job technically, some grooves simply didn’t translate without Ward’s touch.
Songs like “Supernaut,” “Wheels of Confusion,” and “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” felt incomplete without his presence. It was a painful reminder that the band — as it once was — could never be fully reassembled.
📦 Rehearsal Room Rumors
There’s long been talk among sound crew and session musicians that Sabbath rehearsed up to 30 tracks across the tour but whittled it down to a tight 15–16 per night.
Some even claim lesser-known tracks like “Dirty Women,” “Behind the Wall of Sleep,” and “Spiral Architect” were tried in early rehearsals but dropped for being too obscure for a farewell set aimed at the widest fanbase possible.
The band’s philosophy was clear: The final show should be about legacy, recognition, and shared memory, not showcasing rarities for hardcore collectors.
🕯 A Farewell Built on Fire and Restraint
What makes the Black Sabbath farewell gig so powerful, even years later, is not just the songs they played — but the ones they chose not to.
There was restraint, there was curation, and above all, there was intent. Every omitted track had a reason. Not all decisions were easy, but all were purposeful.
They said goodbye with dignity — not overreaching, not overindulging, but delivering a pure, thunderous set that honored their impact while acknowledging their limits.
📣 Social Media Caption Ideas
- “They practiced them. They felt them. But they didn’t play them. Find out why Sabbath left key songs off their farewell gig. 🎸 #BlackSabbathFarewell”
- “What do ‘The Wizard’ and ‘Supernaut’ have in common? Both were rehearsed… but never performed in the end. 🤘 #HeavyMetalHistory”
- “Behind every powerful goodbye are the things left unsaid — and unplayed. Here’s what Sabbath left off their final stage. 🖤 #TheEndTour”
💬 Final Reflection
When Black Sabbath closed their final chapter in 2017, they didn’t just end a tour — they cemented their place as legends who knew exactly how to say goodbye.
For every fan hoping for “The Wizard” or “N.I.B.,” it’s comforting to know that those songs were still alive in rehearsal, echoing in amps, vibrating through strings, and living on in the band’s final hours together.
And perhaps that’s the most Sabbath ending of all:
Heavy. Introspective. Uncompromising.
Just the way they began.
