Tens of thousands gathered at Birmingham's Villa Park on 5 July for what was billed as Black Sabbath's final live performance, a historic farewell for one of Britain's most iconic rock bands. But the mood shifted dramatically when Disturbed frontman David Draiman took the stage as part of a star-studded tribute act, with cheers quickly giving way to boos and raised middle fingers.
Who is David Draiman?
David Draiman, 51, is best known as the lead singer of Disturbed, the American heavy metal band that rose to international fame in the early 2000s with tracks such as Down with the Sickness, Stricken, and a haunting cover of The Sound of Silence.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Draiman is known for his powerful vocals, commanding stage presence and emotionally charged lyrics. Disturbed has sold more than 17 million records worldwide and earned multiple platinum certifications.
Outside of music, Draiman is a unique figure in the metal community: openly Jewish and politically active. He has spoken out against antisemitism for decades and, more recently, expressed strong support for Israel during its military war in Gaza, a stance that has sparked global condemnation and resulted in the backlash he received in Birmingham.
Backlash at Black Sabbath's Historic Show
Draiman performed Shot in the Dark and Sweet Leaf alongside members of Anthrax, Faith No More, and the Smashing Pumpkins. But as soon as he took the microphone, some members of the audience booed and jeered. Fans appeared visibly furious in footage released online, flicking him off and shouting over the music.
The outrage originates from a contentious photo Draiman shared in 2024, in which he is shown signing an Israeli artillery shell with the words 'F*** Hamas.' While he has emphasised that his fury is directed at terrorist groups rather than Palestinian citizens, the message sparked heated reactions throughout the internet.
Draiman Stays Composed
Draiman remained unshaken on stage, responding calmly to the tension by asking the crowd, 'We gonna start this?' before continuing with his performance. He did not respond to the booing directly and has made no public statements since the occurrence.
Sabbath's farewell, overshadowed
The Back to the Beginning concert was Black Sabbath's final performance as well as Ozzy Osbourne's final live appearance after battling Parkinson's disease. The performance, presented by Jason Momoa, included Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Slayer, and others, and earned more than £140 million for children's organisations.
Despite its vast scope and cause, the night will be remembered in part for the political drama that played out on stage, as well as the polarising figure of David Draiman, who was caught between music and world strife.
