The atmosphere surrounding Black Sabbath’s farewell extravaganza, Back to the Beginning, was nothing short of electric. It was a night designed to honor the titans of heavy metal, but behind the curtain, it was a mammoth undertaking of logistics, stamina, and technical precision. While the evening was a celebration of a storied legacy, it was Extreme’s virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt who emerged as the undisputed “MVP” of the event, stepping into shoes that few players on the planet would dare to fill.
A Mammoth Undertaking for the Extreme Virtuoso
Bettencourt is no stranger to the spotlight, but Back to the Beginning demanded a different level of dedication. Throughout the marathon set, Nuno found himself on stage for a staggering 12 songs. His role evolved from a guest appearance into the structural backbone of the evening’s guitar duties. Handling the complex, riff-heavy catalog of various eras of the Sabbath and Ozzy family tree required not just technical proficiency, but a deep reverence for the source material. For many in attendance, Bettencourt’s presence was the glue that held the high-stakes performance together.
Stepping in for a Legend
One of the most poignant moments of the night involved the passing of the torch—if only temporarily—from one guitar hero to another. Jake E. Lee, the master of the “bark” and the “sin,” has been famously open about his recent health struggles, specifically the debilitating arthritis in his right wrist. Because Lee’s condition has made some of his more high-velocity work physically impossible to execute, the call was made for Bettencourt to take the lead on the iconic “Bark at the Moon.”
“Bark at the Moon” is widely considered Jake E. Lee’s signature Ozzy Osbourne-era anthem, characterized by its aggressive rhythmic gallop and a neoclassical solo that remains a benchmark for metal guitarists. Bettencourt took on the task with a mix of humility and fire, ensuring the song’s legacy remained intact while Lee watched with the pride of a contemporary.
Drawing the Line at ‘The Ultimate Sin’
Despite his “MVP” status and his willingness to tackle a dozen tracks, even Nuno Bettencourt has his limits. In a candid moment leading up to the show, it was revealed that Jake E. Lee had actually requested Bettencourt cover the solo for “The Ultimate Sin” as well.
However, Nuno famously drew the line there. It wasn’t a matter of ability, but rather one of respect and the sheer mental load of the evening. To Bettencourt, “The Ultimate Sin” represented a specific peak of Lee’s creative output—a part so intrinsically tied to Jake’s unique phrasing and “bone on bone” struggle that Nuno felt some things were best left to the original architect or kept in the vault.
A Night of Mutual Respect
The dynamic between Bettencourt and Lee at Back to the Beginning served as a beautiful subplot to the heavy metal carnage. It highlighted the camaraderie of the guitar community: a younger peer stepping up to support a legend facing physical hurdles, and a legend trusting his legacy in the hands of a capable friend. As the final notes of the farewell show echoed through the rafters, it was clear that while Sabbath was saying goodbye, the spirit of the electric guitar—and the resilience of its masters—was as strong as ever.