Remember When: A Reunited Black Sabbath Performed a Killer Version of “Paranoid” in 2017

The 2017 documentary Black Sabbath: The End Of The End provided a look into the final tour of one of the biggest heavy metal bands of all time. Specifically, the concert doc followed the reunited Black Sabbath during their final farewell concert tour in 2017 after a whopping 49 years together. The doc immortalized the band’s last performance in their hometown of Birmingham, England at Genting Arena. The concert as a whole was an incredible production. But one song in particular really struck the hearts of fans: Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid”.

It would be a travesty if the band didn’t perform “Paranoid” in their hometown during their farewell tour, and we’re glad that they did. This particular set was a passionate one, and the way it was filmed was quite stunning. Even non-fans of Black Sabbath would likely feel a tinge of bittersweet nostalgia by witnessing this particular rendition of the 1970 hit “Paranoid”.

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Upon its initial release, “Paranoid” hit no. 4 on the UK singles chart. It also made it to no. 61 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Today, the song is considered one of the greatest songs in the heavy metal genre of all time. Many consider the track to be Black Sabbath’s best song of their career. Black Sabbath’s success is so closely linked with this song that it only makes sense that the reunited outfit would deliver a performance of it for the last time, 47 years after it was first released.

Black Sabbath’s 2017 Performance of “Paranoid” Was a Striking Sendoff

You can watch Black Sabbath’s 2017 performance of “Paranoid” below:

The band members absolutely tore through the song with the energy of a much younger band. A whirlwind of violet balloons and black confetti spun through the air. It was quite the sight, and even Ozzy Osbourne got emotional as the song neared its end.

“You are the f***ing finest, the best,” Osbourne says into the mic as the screaming crowd begins to quiet. “I love you all.”

It’s quite heartbreaking that the band ended with The End Tour in 2017, and we’ll likely never see them perform live again. However, few bands from the past have come to a close with such grace and energy quite like Black Sabbath did. “Paranoid” was the nail in the coffin, putting to bed the decades-long career of some of the greatest heavy metal musicians of all time. It’s worth a watch, to say the least. Or two. Or three.

Photo by Frazer Harrison

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