City of Sabbath
Welcome to the ultimate celebration of the city that forged heavy metal. For decades, Birmingham’s status as the birthplace of the world's heaviest music was an underground truth, but this page honours the moment our city finally embraced its thunderous legacy. From the industrial streets of Aston to global domination, explore how Birmingham officially recognised and began championing the iconic band Black Sabbath who changed music forever.
Below we see Black Sabbath album covers as street art installations right in Birmingham city centre. The displays feature the giant, iconic album covers. They were located in Victoria Square, the Mailbox Underpass and now Martineau Place. These spaces were completely transformed into an outdoor music heritage exhibition celebrating the city's legendary band, showcasing huge versions of Black Sabbath's album artwork
Ozzy the Bull
Ozzy the Bull is a massive 33-foot (10-metre), 2.5-tonne mechanical sculpture and one of Birmingham’s most recognisable modern landmarks.
From the Commonwealth Games to Birmingham New Street
Ozzy first appeared as the “Raging Bull” during the spectacular opening ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.
Following the Games, the sculpture was originally due to be dismantled. However, a major public campaign successfully helped save the bull and secure him a permanent home in the city.
A public vote was then held to choose his name, with “Ozzy” winning in a nod to Birmingham-born heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath.
After the Commonwealth Games, Ozzy found his first home in Centenary Square on Broad Street, outside the Library of Birmingham. He became a popular attraction in the heart of the city, where visitors could see the giant bull up close before he was later moved to his permanent home at Grand Central, Birmingham New Street Station.
Ozzy was redesigned and adapted by special effects company Artem so that his mechanical rig could be safely installed indoors at Birmingham New Street Station.
He was officially unveiled in the station concourse in July 2023, where he quickly became a much-loved attraction for commuters and visitors.
During the day, Ozzy comes to life with movements including his head, eyes and tail, and he occasionally lets out his distinctive mechanical roar as people pass by.
Today, Ozzy stands as a unique symbol of Birmingham — bringing together the city’s industrial heritage, creative spirit and love of music and culture.
Below are photos of 'Ozzy the Bull' at his various homes in Birmingham.
The Sabbath Murals
Birmingham’s street art scene proudly honours its heaviest musical export with an incredible trail of Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne murals. Leading the charge is the breathtaking 120-foot photorealistic masterpiece on Navigation Street, expertly crafted by Mr Murals and officially signed by all four original band members. Just a short walk away, the Mailbox underpass hosts another stunning Mr Murals piece celebrating the Vol. 4 album cover, framed alongside collaborative works from several local Brummie artists.
Venture into Digbeth, and you will find the historic 2019 tribute painted for the High Vis Festival on Rea Street near the National Express coach station, as well as Robbie Jeffcott’s striking, 15-hour freehand portrait of Ozzy in the Custard Factory’s Gibb Square—positioned perfectly opposite his mural of fellow Brummie icon Mike Skinner.
The city's alternative spirit thrives at Subside Bar, where legendary graffiti artist Andy Mills (AKA Title) has laid down a massive, iconic tribute piece - to Ozzy and other metal Masters. Title’s signature style can also be found out in Stirchley on Fordhouse Lane, gracing the front of Nadies Bacon Cafe.
Over at the Bull Ring Tavern, the artist duo Nozzle and Brush beautifully captured the heart of the city with an Ozzy piece featuring local landmarks and the proud anthem, "It's A Brum Ting". Adding to this rich trail is the vibrant rock 'n' roll musical heritage tribute located at the All Saints Café in Kings Heath, a stunning piece live-painted by local Birmingham artist Mace 76 that showcases the legendary faces of both Ozzy and Tony Iommi and other Birmingham music artists.
Finally, matching the city's footballing roots, a poignant "Ozzy Forever" memorial mural commissioned by Aston Villa FC adorns the outside wall of the historic Holte Pub at Villa Park. This massive tribute was brought to life by the renowned street art team MurWalls.
See them all below!
Sabbath at Selfridges
To coincide with Birmingham’s massive Summer of Sabbath and the band's historic "Back To The Beginning" homecoming farewell show, Selfridges Birmingham transformed into the ultimate immersive Black Sabbath fan experience in June 2025.
The unmistakable centerpiece of the store's pop-up merch shop was a spectacular, life-sized brick sculpture of a young Ozzy Osbourne performing "Crazy Train," meticulously crafted by master model builders from 27,384 LEGO bricks over 147 hours. Complementing this jaw-dropping installation was a live-painted, six-metre-wide window mural across Levels 2 and 3 created over eight days by local artist Mr Murals (Daniel Russell-Ahern). The massive artwork featured stunning portraits of the original lineup—Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—framed by Vinyline's custom brushed-silver aluminum bat silhouettes. Inside the pop-up, fans were treated to rare band memorabilia, a digital screening of The End concert film, and a photo-ready metal wall emblazoned with the band's iconic 'Henry' flying-demon emblem.
The experience also offered exclusive, limited-edition merchandise collaborations with contemporary artist Mason Newman, Moschino, and ultra-rare leather jackets from Babylon LA & Vanson Leathers hand-signed by the Prince of Darkness himself.
Sabbath at the Villa
Aston Villa’s deep-rooted bond with the pioneers of heavy metal, Black Sabbath, is a legendary crossover of Birmingham’s greatest cultural exports. Formed in Aston just down the road from the stadium in 1968, the band’s legacy is woven tightly into the fabric of the club, culminating in the historic Back to the Beginning farewell show at Villa Park. The all-day music event, “Back to the Beginning”, was the largest rock concert ever held at Villa Park, bringing the original line-up of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward back to their roots for one final, monumental performance. Bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler holds an absolute passion for the club; this die-hard dedication is proudly highlighted in his autobiography, Into the Void, which features an entire chapter dedicated to the Villans alongside endless mentions throughout. He even maintains a regular presence supporting them on social media, frequently sharing his love with fans on his Instagram—celebrating everything from the club's incredible UEFA Europa League triumph to dedicating a moving online tribute following the sad passing of club legend goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer.
The club continues to celebrate this heavy metal heritage across the city, notably with the stunning Ozzy Osbourne tribute mural proudly displayed by Villa Park at the Holte Pub, and the spectacular Aston Villa x adidas store inside the Bullring, Birmingham city centre. The shop serves as the ultimate hotspot for fans, hosting an "Ozzy Back Home" collaboration that features an exclusive memorabilia pop-up, never-before-seen artwork by Ozzy himself, and a brilliant window display painted by the city's famed Mr Murals. It is a powerful reminder that in Birmingham, football and heavy metal share the exact same passionate heartbeat.
Sabbath all over the City
As you can see from below - Black sabbath and Ozzy are all over the city of Birmingham. So why don't you go and check them out!
