The End ［4K Ultra HD］

Recorded in February 2017 in the British heavy metal legends industrial hometown of Birmingham, The End chronicles Black Sabbaths final live performance, the last evil deed after five decades of brutality and a yearlong sprint across the globe. The set itself yields little in the way of surprises, but that sonic efficiency is not without pathos, as omitting too many of the bands signature cuts would have been a disservice to fans -- this is an entity thats been more or less operational for half a century. "Paranoid," "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath," "War Pigs," "Iron Man," "N.I.B.," "Children of the Grave," "Fairies Wear Boots," and "Black Sabbath" are presented with little in the way of fanfare -- Osbournes song banter is as stock as ever, and the songs are tuned down a bit -- but they hit hard, and with the kind of shrugged-off confidence that can only come from a band thats spent the last 365 days in their thrall. Osbournes voice is surprisingly robust throughout, and Iommi and Butler cast undulating swells of might without relinquishing a bead of sweat -- Bill Ward opted out, but seasoned session drummer Tommy Clufetos proves more than up to the task, even going so far as to a deliver a classic 70s beer run/bathroom break drum solo. In addition to the standard concert CD/Blu-ray edition, The End is available in a Deluxe Collectors Edition that adds an intimate five-song live set ("The Wizard," "Wicked World," "Sweet Leaf," "Tomorrows Dream," and "Changes") recorded at Angelic Studios, a 32-page book, a kickass metal-winged demon pin badge, a replica The End tour laminate, and three guitar picks. ~ James Christopher Monger