BBC / The Future Of Heavy Metal In Thunderous Black Sabbath Tribute

A new generation of Heavy Metal disruptors is set to electrify Birmingham’s historic Town Hall this summer as part of a high-profile BBC event honouring the godfathers of the genre—Black Sabbath. The BBC Radio WM celebrates Metal in the Midlands showcase will take place on Wednesday, 2 July 2025, just days before Sabbath’s monumental Back To The Beginning final show at Villa Park.

At the heart of this one-off sonic celebration are three red-hot rising bands from the West Midlands—Cherrydead, GANS, and Meatdripper—each carrying the torch of distortion and defiance lit by Sabbath themselves over five decades ago.

Co-produced by BBC Radio WM, B:Music, and Home Of Metal, the event will also host a film screening, DJ sets, and an industry panel delving deep into the cultural impact of Black Sabbath and the enduring power of Metal in the Midlands.

A BBC Sounds documentary charting the genre’s evolution will also be released at the show.

Carrying The Banner Of Brummie Brutality

Ferocious alt Metal band Cherrydead will bring their raw, nu-inflected chaos to the stage, fronted by vocalist Emily Drummond, who hailed the occasion as a chance to be “noisy on such a special occasion.” Their music, which includes tracks like Cynthia and Forsaken Land, channels a fearless female spirit rooted in the city’s heavy heritage.

GANS, a noise-driven two-piece born of late-night shebeens and literary obsession, are set to drop their debut album this September. With support from BBC 6 Music and Apple Music tastemakers, they are fast becoming a name to know. Co-founder Tom Rhodes captured the sentiment of many: “Sabbath ’til we die!”

Then there’s Meatdripper, a Heavy Psych unit moulded from the sludge-soaked ruins of experimental rock. Their debut at the Home of Metal anniversary was hailed as revelatory. With Sabbath’s influence in their veins, the group’s members embody the bold spirit of Birmingham’s modern Metal scene.

A Sonic Pilgrimage In A Sacred Venue

Town Hall Birmingham isn’t just a venue—it’s hallowed ground. Sabbath graced its stage in the early ’70s and again in 2010 when Ozzy Osbourne played an intimate set.

Now, it serves as the perfect arena to honour the band’s indelible legacy and spotlight the Metal future.

“This is shaping up to be a phenomenal night marking the return of four Birmingham musicians,” Chris Proctor of B:Music told us. “We’re celebrating new music while recognising the legacy that made it all possible.”

The event also echoes the city’s civic pride, with Black Sabbath set to receive the Freedom of the City—a fitting tribute to their global impact.

Tickets for ‘BBC Radio WM celebrates Metal in the Midlands’ go on general sale at 10:00 AM on Friday, 16 May 2025 via bmusic.co.uk.

Priced at just £5, it’s a rare chance to witness the next wave of Heavy Metal in a place where legends were made.

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