(hennemusic) Black Sabbath will perform a pair of final farewell shows in their hometown of Birmingham in early 2017. Following recent rumors, the band have announced dates for a UK/Ireland run in the New Year that will bring an end to their live career after almost five decades.

An 8-show trek will start January 20 in Dublin and finish with two shows in Birmingham on February 2 and 4. "It started nearly five decades ago with a crack of thunder, a distant bell ringing and then that monstrous riff that shook the earth. The heaviest rock sound ever heard," says the group. "In that moment, heavy metal was born, created by a young band from Birmingham, England, barely out of their teens.

"Now it ends - the final eight shows ever by the greatest metal band of all time, Black Sabbath. Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler return home to close the final chapter in the final volume of the incredible Black Sabbath story." Read more and see all of their remaining tour dates here.

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