The End: Live in Birmingham cover

The End: Live in Birmingham

Black Sabbath · 2017

108 min · 17 tracks · hard rock

Powerful riffs and haunting melodies collide in a raw live performance, showcasing the band's enduring legacy in heavy metal.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Black Sabbath Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    War Pigs — This track stands out as a quintessential anthem of anti-war sentiment, showcasing the band's signature blend of heavy riffs and thought-provoking lyrics.
  • →
    Iron Man — With its iconic opening riff and themes of alienation, this song exemplifies Black Sabbath's ability to craft memorable hooks that resonate with audiences.
  • →
    Children of the Grave — This track combines driving rhythms with a message about societal awareness, representing the band's commitment to addressing darker themes through music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

73 /100
Alpine
Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

This live album captures Black Sabbath's sound and energy, making it a compelling farewell performance.

What we noticed

  • The performance features extended instrumental sections, particularly during solos, which showcase the band's musicianship and improvisational skills.
  • Crowd interaction is prominent, with Ozzy Osbourne frequently engaging with the audience between songs, adding to the live atmosphere.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
9/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing with crescendos
  • powerful farewell concert atmosphere
  • engaging live performance energy
  • dynamic track flow with variety

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer short, standalone tracks
  • seek quiet background music

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Captures the band's farewell performance, showcasing their lasting impact.
Themes
Birmingham farewell· anti-war anthems· heavy metal legacy
Career context
Released on January 1, 2017, 'The End: Live in Birmingham' marked Black Sabbath's final concert recording, capping off their extensive career that began in 1968. This album encapsulated their farewell tour, highlighting the band's evolution over five decades while serving as a nostalgic homage to their pioneering role in heavy metal.
Stylistic neighbors
Candlemass· Electric Wizard· Pentagram
New to Black Sabbath? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • War Pigs

    The narrative shifts from describing war's devastation to calling out those who profit from conflict.

    This transition emphasizes the moral responsibility of leaders, enhancing the song's critique of war beyond mere observation.

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Black Sabbath Start here 7:27
  • 2 Fairies Wear Boots 6:28
  • 3 Under the Sun / Every Day Comes and Goes 7:04
  • 4 After Forever 6:26
  • 5 Into the Void 7:07
  • 6 Snowblind 6:39
  • 7 Band Intros 1:32
  • 8 War Pigs 8:32
  • 9 Behind the Wall of Sleep 3:32
  • 10 Bassically / N.I.B. 6:38

Disc 2

  • 1 Hand of Doom 7:06
  • 2 Supernaut / Sabbath Bloody Sabbath / Megalomania 3:28
  • 3 Rat Salad / Drum Solo 8:20
  • 4 Iron Man 7:53
  • 5 Dirty Women 8:22
  • 6 Children of the Grave 6:33
  • 7 Paranoid 4:48

What to play next

13
Listen next

13

2013

Continues the heavy sound and themes from their final live performance.
Heaven and Hell
Go back to

Heaven and Hell

1980

Sets the stage with a powerful blend of classic metal elements.
Full Black Sabbath discography Where to start with Black Sabbath Artists like Black Sabbath
doom metal hard rock heavy metal

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

British Steel

British Steel

Judas Priest

Shares the same heavy metal riffs and anthemic themes of rebellion and defiance.

Master of Puppets

Master of Puppets

Metallica

Features powerful riffs and introspective lyrics, echoing the heavy metal legacy and emotional weight.

The Number of the Beast

The Number of the Beast

Iron Maiden

Combines epic storytelling with thunderous instrumentation, resonating with themes of legacy and darkness.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata