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Black Sabbath murals to rock city ahead of gig

Shehnaz Khan
BBC News, West Midlands
Central BID A man stands whilst leaning over an orange barricade. He is holding a yellow paintbrush in one hand and a pot of Dulux paint in the other. Behind him a brick wall is being painted black. Cars, taxis and the top of Grand Central station can be seen in the background behind him.Central BID
Artist Mr Murals said it would be a tribute not just to Black Sabbath but to the "creative spirit of Birmingham"

Murals celebrating the legacy of one of Birmingham's hugest bands are being created ahead of their final show.

The Black Sabbath street art is set to be completed in time for their sold-out concert at Villa Park in July.

Artist Mr Murals said it would be a tribute not just to Black Sabbath but to the "creative spirit of Birmingham".

The 120ft (36.5m) mural will depict all four of the band's original band members, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. The gig also features dozens of other heavy metal legends, including Metallica, Pantera and Anthrax.

Central BID A man stands facing a brick wall, with his back towards the camera. He is wearing a black Black Sabbath tour-shirt and is painting the wall black. Pots of paint can be seen on the ground next to him.Central BID
The large mural will be created in time for the band's concert at Villa Park

"The band's influence is everywhere, from metal music to fashion to attitude," Mr Murals said.

"I wanted to create something powerful and raw, just like their sound, that people can stand in front of and feel the energy of Sabbath and of the city itself."

David Davies/PA Wire A man stands in front of a microphone against a red stage backdrop. He has chin-length dark hair and he is wearing a black long-sleeved tunic. He has black eyeliner around his eyes. David Davies/PA Wire
Black Sabbath will perform a final reunion gig in the city on 5 July

The artwork has been commissioned by Central BID Birmingham with the support of Network Rail.

Elizabeth Graham, New Street station manager, added: "Along with our very own Ozzy the bull, this new mural will provide a fantastic welcome to the thousands of fans arriving into the city ahead of Black Sabbath's Villa Park gig."

Sabbath formed in Aston in 1968.

Mr Murals, who has previously painted Osbourne in black and white, also spent more than 200 hours creating the Peaky Blinders mural on the walls of Digbeth Loc Studio.

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