James LoMenzo , bassist for Megadeth , confirmed that the band led by Dave Mustaine was not invited to participate in Black Sabbath's farewell show. The event took place last Saturday, July 5th, at Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
BURRN! magazine , posted by the Back To The Beginning – Black Sabbath's Final Concert , James LoMenzo clarified what happened after being asked about the three Big Four thrash metal bands playing at the event ( Metallica, Slayer , and Anthrax ), but Megadeth being left out.
“The truth is, I don’t believe anyone invited us, which was fine. Not everyone gets invited to every party. But at the same time, when we were in Europe last week, David [Megadeth’s manager] said he was contacting everyone and saying we were in the neighborhood and close enough to go. And if they wanted, we could stay for a few days and sort it out… If they wanted. I don’t know what our manager accomplished with that, but he didn’t, so we just went back home.”
He continued: “So I know what you’re saying [about a ‘Big Four’ band not being present at the event]. Even before all this started, everyone was asking, ‘Well, what about Megadeth?’ It was very funny to read, because there was no invitation, no conversation with people, really, there was nothing to do with it. It was an exciting situation, where we’re celebrating Ozzy’s retirement… Anyway, the show was incredible! I would have loved to have been there. I knew about the show months and months ago. I don’t see it as controversial or anything. I know we were notably absent, but they didn’t invite anyone.”
Megadeth wasn't the only band left out.
Titled "Back To The Beginning ," the final show by the greatest heavy metal band reunited the four original members. Vocalist Ozzy Osbourne , bassist Geezer Butler , guitarist Tony Iommi , and drummer Bill Ward played together for the first and last time in 20 years.
In addition to the band, the festival lineup featured rock and metal giants such as Metallica , Guns N' Roses , Tool , Slayer , Alice In Chains , Pantera , Gojira , Halestorm , Lamb of God , Anthrax , Mastodon , Rival Sons , and other bands.
Previously, Sharon Osbourne reportedly removed a band from Black Sabbath's farewell show, causing a great deal of confusion . The manager and wife of Ozzy Osbourne promised to reveal which band she removed from the show, but so far, Sharon has not clarified what happened.
Many artists were left out of the event, so Wikimetal listed some rock and metal names that should have been on Back To The Beginning .
READ ALSO: Black Sabbath: What will each member do after their farewell?
