More than 250 heavy metal fans turned up for a special celebration of Black Sabbath at Velvet Music Rooms last night (Sunday).
Tribute band Sabbra Cadabra played at the Birmingham Rocks session, entitled The Birth of Metal, which marked the 53rd anniversary of Black Sabbath’s debut album.
The packed audience gathered at Velvet on Broad Street to watch Sabbra Cadabra perform the entire ‘Black Sabbath’ album that was first released on 13 February 1970.
Dani Hadley, co-owner of Velvet, said: “It was a really successful night with over 250 attendees. The band were brilliant and really got involved with the crowd, allowing the taking of selfies and lots of friendly interaction.
“The atmosphere was electrifying, especially for the ‘Black Sabbath’ track which was accompanied by a surround sound thunder storm and flashing lights – a full on 3D experience!
“It was great to see so many true Black Sabbath fans in attendance – many of who had first attended the original band’s concerts in the 1970s and 80s.”
Sabbra Cadabra lined up as Kevin McGillian (Ozzy), Neil Priddey (Tony), Pete Hagan (Geezer) and Matt Bates (Bill).
The special celebration also saw the unveiling of a new poem written by Black Sabbath’s drummer Bill Ward. Entitled ‘Testing One Two Three, Test Test!’, the poem was read by Giovanni Esposito, a former Birmingham poet laureate who is himself an active musician with punk-outfit Vaseline.
Kirk Andrews, a local artist whose Black Sabbath art is currently displayed at Velvet, was in the audience and said: “What an awesome evening!
“This was a killer set from Sabbra Cadabra, and it was ace to have Spoz reading Bill Ward’s poem. It was also wonderful to have my Sabbath art on the walls of this cool Birmingham venue”
The Birth of Metal concert was part of a Birmingham Rocks series which can be seen every Sunday at 6.30pm at Velvet Music Rooms. Velvet also hosts live music at Henry’s Blueshouse every Tuesday.
Upcoming Birmingham Rocks gigs every Sunday from 6.30pm:
- February 19 – Chick Wren’s Rollin’ River Band
- February 26 – The Journeymen (Eric Clapton Tribute)
Upcoming Henry’s Blueshouse gigs every Tuesday, doors open from 7pm:
- February 14 – Martin Burch Band
- February 21 – The Shakedown Brothers
- February 28 – The Shufflepack
All concerts are free admission.
Pictures used by permission of Kirk Andrews
ENDS
