How Jake E. Lee and Mosh Pit Maoma Are Honoring Black Sabbath’s ‘Back to the Beginning’ Concert in Birmingham
Birmingham, the birthplace of heavy metal, has been buzzing with electric energy after Black Sabbath’s monumental ‘Back to the Beginning’ concert—an emotional and thunderous celebration of the band’s roots and legacy. Among the many tributes pouring in, two of the most captivating homages are coming from none other than guitarist Jake E. Lee and the ever-enthusiastic fan favorite, Mosh Pit Maoma, both of whom have stepped up to honor the legends in ways only they can.
Jake E. Lee: A Guitar Legend Pays Respect
Jake E. Lee, best known for his iconic guitar work with Ozzy Osbourne on albums like Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin, made headlines after revealing his plans to pay tribute to Black Sabbath’s epic farewell performance. Though not an original member of Sabbath, Lee’s connection to the band runs deep—he was a key figure in Ozzy’s post-Sabbath solo success and has always been vocal about the influence Tony Iommi’s guitar playing had on his career.
In a heartfelt statement following the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park, Lee said:
“Tony Iommi is the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place. Sabbath wrote the blueprint. To see them return to Birmingham and wrap it all up in front of their hometown fans—it’s poetic. I wanted to do something that wasn’t just a nod, but a roar of appreciation.”
Jake E. Lee has since announced that he will be releasing a special EP titled Into the Void: A Tribute to Sabbath, where he will reimagine classic Sabbath tracks with his distinct flair. Fans can expect a raw, riff-heavy experience that celebrates the heaviness of Sabbath while layering Lee’s signature melodic and aggressive tone.
Among the tracks featured are:
- “Into the Void” — A slow-burning, riff-laden masterpiece.
- “Symptom of the Universe” — Reimagined with a bluesy slide intro before bursting into metal fury.
- “Children of the Grave” — Featuring guest vocals from up-and-coming metal powerhouse Lzzy Hale of Halestorm.
Lee has also promised that all proceeds from the EP will be donated to local Birmingham charities, continuing the spirit of Sabbath’s charity-focused farewell concert, which raised over £140 million for hospitals and children’s homes.
Mosh Pit Maoma: The Heartbeat of the Crowd
While Jake E. Lee honors Sabbath from the stage and studio, the legend of Mosh Pit Maoma is alive and well in the streets of Birmingham. Known for their wild energy, elaborate costumes, and ability to ignite any crowd into a frenzy, Mosh Pit Maoma has been a fixture of UK metal shows for decades. But at Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning concert, Maoma became much more than just a fan in the pit—they became part of the show itself.
During Sabbath’s blistering set, which featured classics like “War Pigs,” “Paranoid,” and “Iron Man,” Mosh Pit Maoma could be seen leading the mosh pit with unmatched energy, waving a massive banner that read:
“Birmingham’s Sons Forever: Sabbath Lives!”
Even Ozzy Osbourne himself couldn’t ignore the chaos and joy Maoma was stirring up. At one point during the show, Ozzy shouted with glee:
“Look at Maoma go! That’s the spirit right there! That’s what it’s all about!”
Following the concert, Mosh Pit Maoma took to social media to announce their own unique tribute—a Birmingham-wide “Mosh Walk,” inviting fans to march through the city’s streets wearing Sabbath-inspired outfits and blasting classic tunes from boomboxes. The event, scheduled for later this month, has already gained massive traction, with thousands of Sabbath fans pledging to attend.
“Sabbath isn’t just a band; it’s a part of our souls,” Maoma said in a fiery video message. “We’ll walk these streets the same way they did—loud, proud, and unstoppable. This Mosh Walk is our way of saying thank you for every riff, every lyric, every moment.”
The Legacy Continues
Together, Jake E. Lee and Mosh Pit Maoma represent two sides of the same coin: the musical brilliance Sabbath inspired and the community they built. Both their tributes remind the world that while Sabbath may have played their last note as a band, their music is far from silent.
From the blazing guitar solos of Lee’s tribute album to the stomping, joyful chaos of Maoma’s Mosh Walk, Birmingham remains the eternal capital of heavy metal—and the spirit of Black Sabbath continues to echo through every street, riff, and raised fist.
As Jake E. Lee put it best:
“They might have closed the chapter on live shows, but Sabbath wrote the whole damn book. We’re just lucky enough to keep reading it.”
And with that, the flame burns on.
