BACK IN BLACK: Whispers are growing louder regarding a final Black Sabbath (charity) concert, scheduled to take place in early July in the legendary heavy-metal band’s birthplace of Birmingham, England.

All four original members—vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward—are slated to perform together one last time.

They haven't rocked out as a quartet since 2005, though Sabbath toured with everyone but Ward in 2012-2014 and 2016-2017. Beyond two short one-off performances in 2022, Osbourne himself hasn't been onstage since 2018 due to a series of significant health issues.

Sources say the Birmingham show, which is being curated by a certain raging guitarist, will also feature a who’s who of hard-rock and heavy-metal acts that cite Sabbath as their primary inspiration.

Is the biggest metal band in the world already among them? To paraphrase the Prince of Darkness, Mama, they're coming home.

Ozzy Osbourne, Oasis, Kraftwerk

KEEP 'EM SEPARATED: With more than $500m in box-office receipts on the line, it’s no surprise that organizers are doing everything possible to make sure the Brothers Gallagher do not self-destruct before or during the long-awaited Oasis reunion tour next year.

Insiders reveal that plans call for Liam and Noel to basically be kept apart on the road—we're talking separate planes, different hotels and detached dressing rooms. As of now, they will not be together at any time unless they want to be, other than onstage.

The parties are said to be trying to avoid any conflict in an attempt to keep things from exploding, because there is just too much money at stake. The tour, Oasis' first since 2009, begins 7/4 in Cardiff, Wales, and is booked through late 2025.

CRUEL TO BE KIND: AEG Presents is expanding its annual Cruel World fest in Pasadena, California, to London, where it will stage the inaugural Forever Now on 6/22 at The National Bowl Milton Keynes. The lineup sports a host of post-punk and alternative favorites, led by Kraftwerk (whose own AEG-repped MULTIMEDIA TOUR begins in March), The The, Billy Idol, Johnny Marr, an early version of The Cult known as Death Cult, Bauhaus' Peter Murphy, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Psychedelic Furs, The Damned, Public Image Ltd and The Chameleons.

The 2025 iteration of Cruel World itself, meanwhile, will be headlined by New Order and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds on 5/17 at the Rose Bowl. The Go-Go’s, Devo, Garbage, Madness, Alison Moyet and the Buzzcocks will be there, too. Start spraying your pompadours now.