Soundgarden Issues Statement on Missing Black Sabbath’s Farewell Co…. read more
Soundgarden has broken their silence regarding their unexpected absence from Black Sabbath’s epic farewell concert, “Back to the Beginning,” held on July 5th at Villa Park in Birmingham, England. The grunge icons were originally scheduled to be part of the historic event, which celebrated the end of an era for the legendary heavy metal pioneers. However, fans were surprised when Soundgarden did not take the stage, prompting questions and speculation about their whereabouts.
On July 14th, the surviving members of Soundgarden addressed the situation in a heartfelt statement shared via their Nudedragons Instagram account. They confirmed that scheduling issues were the sole reason for their absence, expressing deep regret and disappointment at missing the momentous event.
The message began with a respectful and poetic tribute to Black Sabbath, congratulating the band on what they described as “the grand and final pealing of their vesper bells.” The members of Soundgarden honored Black Sabbath’s legacy, praising their impact on the world of music and their role in shaping the sound and spirit of heavy rock and metal. They acknowledged that Sabbath’s influence has touched generations of musicians, including Soundgarden themselves, with a blend of “beauty, horror, love, power, happiness, melancholy,” and an ability to stir both “doom and hope.”
In the message, Soundgarden emphasized their deep admiration and gratitude for the founding members of Black Sabbath — Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. They also extended thanks to Sharon Osbourne and music director Tom Morello, who were instrumental in organizing the farewell concert. The band made it clear that being invited to perform at the event was a tremendous honor and something they had looked forward to with great excitement.
Despite their enthusiasm, Soundgarden explained that the members’ individual and group commitments made it impossible to align their schedules in time for the concert. They expressed heartfelt disappointment about missing the opportunity to join other musicians in paying tribute to Black Sabbath’s monumental career.
“We are super bummed and regret that we were unable to coordinate the schedules of our individual and collective projects to attend and contribute to the festival,” the statement read. They added that the love and support shown to them by Black Sabbath over the years has been a source of continued encouragement and strength.
The band’s message closed with a reiteration of respect and reverence for Black Sabbath, referring to their musical reign as incomparable and timeless: “The crown will forever remain yours.”
While fans may have been saddened by Soundgarden’s absence at the landmark concert, the band’s sincere and eloquent message helped clarify the situation and reaffirmed their deep respect for Black Sabbath and their legacy in rock history.
