The opening salvo by Metallica at the final performance of Black Sabbath in Birmingham was not only a preparation for the crowd, but it blew them away. Making their way to the stage of Villa Park, the thrash giants ripped through the six-song set of sabbath deep cuts and their own anthems, and brought the raw energy that set a ferocious tone.

Honoring the band of the evening, Metallica kicked off their set with Black Sabbath’s “Hole in the Sky” before smashing their own singles “Creeping Death” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” They concluded the performance with Black Sabbath’s “Johnny Blade,” “Battery” and “Master of Puppets.”