Just got done watching the Back to the Beginning show for Ozzy and Black Sabbath. There are a few things that stuck out to me. Lizzy Hale killed the Perry Mason cover. Lamb of God was out of tune. It was good to see Jake E Lee, even though David Draiman rushed the vocals into Shot in the Dark. Nuno 

just got done watching the Back to the Beginning show, and I have to say, it was a wild, nostalgic ride for any fan of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath. While the entire event was packed with high-energy performances and legendary appearances, there were a few standout moments—both good and not-so-good—that really stuck with me.

First off, let’s talk about Lzzy Hale’s performance of “Perry Mason.” She killed it. There’s no other way to put it. That song is no walk in the park—it’s dramatic, gritty, and packed with emotion—and Lzzy brought her signature power and attitude to the stage. It was one of those covers that didn’t feel like a cover at all. She made it her own without stripping away the spirit of the original. Her voice soared through those high notes and carried the grit Ozzy laid down back in the day. Truly one of the highlights of the night.

On the flip side, I was pretty disappointed with Lamb of God. They came out with their usual aggression, but something was just off. The tuning felt wrong—like the guitars were slightly out of sync with each other or maybe just not in key for the song they were playing. It threw off the energy of the performance and made what should have been a hard-hitting tribute feel kind of messy. I get that they’re a heavy band with their own sound, but attention to musical detail is critical in an event like this, especially when honoring such iconic material.

Another major moment for me was seeing Jake E. Lee on stage. That man is still a beast on guitar. His tone, phrasing, and presence reminded everyone why he was such a vital part of Ozzy’s legacy in the ’80s. His work on “Shot in the Dark” was spot on—crisp and powerful. Unfortunately, David Draiman rushed the vocals. I appreciate his enthusiasm, but his delivery felt forced, like he was trying to push through the lyrics instead of letting the song breathe. “Shot in the Dark” has a certain groove, a mood, and Draiman just bulldozed through it. It’s a shame because with Jake E. Lee playing like that, the performance had the potential to be something special.

Then there was Nuno Bettencourt—always a treat to see on stage. Though his time was brief, he brought his signature flair and technical brilliance. He’s one of those guitarists who can blend showmanship with deep musicality. It would’ve been nice to see him featured more prominently. His style complements Ozzy’s catalog in a unique way that few other guitarists can match.

All in all, the show was a rollercoaster—equal parts tribute, celebration, and misstep. But that’s the nature of live music, especially when so many big personalities and legends are sharing the stage. As a longtime fan of Ozzy and Sabbath, it was still worth the watch, even if some moments didn’t quite land. The heart was there, and sometimes, that’s more important than perfection.

Let me know if you’d like a more formal or more casual version of this!