Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler Reunite at Black Sabbath Town Hall Event in NYC to Celebrate the Landmark Album ‘13’….
*New York City, NY – July 5, 2025*
In an unforgettable night for heavy metal fans, two of the most iconic figures in rock history—Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler—came together at the Black Sabbath Town Hall event at the Angel Orensanz Center in New York City to celebrate the legacy of their final studio album, *13*. The special event marked a rare reunion for the surviving members of the original Black Sabbath lineup and brought out die-hard fans, journalists, and musicians alike to honor a pivotal moment in the band’s storied career.
Set against the stunning, gothic backdrop of the Angel Orensanz Center, a former synagogue turned arts venue in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the evening was more than just a celebration of the album—it was a poignant reflection on the history, power, and emotional weight of Black Sabbath’s enduring influence.
### The Album That Brought Sabbath Full Circle
Released in June 2013, *13* was Black Sabbath’s first studio album with Ozzy Osbourne on vocals since 1978’s *Never Say Die!* and the first with bassist Geezer Butler and guitarist Tony Iommi all back in the studio together in over three decades. Though drummer Bill Ward did not participate due to contractual disputes, *13* was hailed as a triumphant return to Sabbath’s doom-laden roots. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, a first in the band’s history, and was both a critical and commercial success.
More than a decade after its release, *13* continues to be seen not just as a farewell album but as a resounding final chapter—one that managed to echo Sabbath’s early sound while grappling with age, mortality, and legacy.
### A Night of Reflections and Revelations
The Town Hall event was hosted by longtime rock journalist and SiriusXM DJ Eddie Trunk, who welcomed Ozzy and Geezer to the stage amid thunderous applause. Clad in all-black, the duo appeared in high spirits, their camaraderie intact despite the years and battles behind them.
Ozzy, ever the showman, drew laughter as he opened with, “I thought Town Halls were for complaining about the price of milk. But this… this is bloody brilliant!”
The conversation quickly turned to the making of *13*. Geezer spoke openly about the emotional gravity of returning to the studio with Tony and Ozzy:
> “It was a real full-circle moment for us. You don’t always get the chance to go back and end things on your own terms. Making *13* was intense, but it felt right. It felt honest.”
Ozzy echoed the sentiment, adding,
> “Rick Rubin \[the producer] kept telling us to ‘think back to what made Sabbath great in the first place.’ And I was like, ‘You mean scaring people with riffs and scowls?’ But he was right. We stripped it all back. No gimmicks. Just the music.”
The event also featured rare behind-the-scenes video clips from the making of *13*, including rehearsal footage and interviews with Tony Iommi, who was notably absent from the evening due to health reasons. However, a pre-recorded video message from Iommi was played, in which he expressed his pride in the album and gratitude to fans for embracing the final chapter of Sabbath’s legacy.
### Tributes and Surprises
In a surprise appearance, producer Rick Rubin joined the panel briefly, offering insight into the creative process. “This was a band that defined heavy metal. My only goal was to let them be themselves again,” Rubin said. “You don’t tell Sabbath what to do. You just help them remember what they’ve always done better than anyone.”
The event also included a special tribute performance by members of Mastodon, Ghost, and Metallica, who came together for a haunting rendition of “God Is Dead?”, the Grammy-winning lead single from *13*. The performance drew a standing ovation and left Ozzy visibly emotional.
### The Weight of Finality
Though many in attendance held out hope for another Sabbath reunion, both Ozzy and Geezer were candid about the finality of the band’s journey.
> “That was it. We said everything we had to say with *13*,” Geezer said. “And it’s better to go out with a bang than fade away.”
Ozzy, who has faced a number of health challenges in recent years, added,
> “I love Sabbath. It’s who I am. But we did it. We closed the book the right way. I’m still going to scream into microphones, just not with Sabbath anymore.”
### A Legacy Carved in Stone
The night concluded with a ceremonial presentation: a limited-edition vinyl pressing of *13*, encased in a blackened steel frame and signed by all the original members, including Tony and Bill Ward (who sent in his signature despite not performing on the album). It was gifted to Ozzy and Geezer as a symbolic closing chapter—proof that despite the chaos, the fights, and the darkness, Black Sabbath left behind something eternal.
As fans filed out into the humid Manhattan night, the mood was one of reverence. In a world where legends often burn out or fade away unnoticed, Black Sabbath had managed to do what few bands could: return, redefine themselves, and bow out with dignity.
And as Ozzy Osbourne himself summed up before leaving the stage:
“We came, we played, we conquered the darkness. And we did it together—one last time.”
**Long live Sabbath.**
