System Of A Down Honors Ozzy Osbourne With Black Sabbath Cover At MetLife Stadium

System of a Down began a six-show North American run last night with their first of two concerts at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The metal stalwarts paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne during the show by performing a cover of Black Sabbath's “Snowblind.”

The quartet fronted by Serj Tankian loaded their first performance in the New York City area in over a decade with material from their sophomore album, 2001’s Toxicity, including the title track, “Prison Song,” “Chop Suey!,” “Aerials,” “Deer Dance,” “Bounce,” “Psycho” and “Science.” System Of A Down also played fan favorites “Suite-Pee,” “War?,” “Darts” and “Mind” off their 1998 self-titled debut LP and more.

Guitarist Daron Malakian stepped to the mic towards the end of the concert to discuss their experience touring with Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July at age 76. “There was one tour that never did more for System Of A Down — the Ozzfest. We did a few Ozzfests. Some of you are old enough that you were there, some of you weren’t even born yet,” Malakin said.

“I want to thank Ozzy Osbourne. We want to thank Ozzy Osbourne,” Malakin continued. The crowd reacted with chants of “Ozzy! Ozzy!” which the guitarist urged on. “We want to do a number about cocaine, it’s called ‘Snowblind,” Malakin exclaimed before the band launched into the song from Black Sabbath’s 1972 album, Vol. 4.

System Of A Down hadn’t performed “Snowblind” since 2002 according to Setlist.FM statistics. Another rarity followed, as the band dusted off “Tenative” for its first play in nearly a decade.

Watch SOAD break out “Snowblind” and more fan-shot video from last night below: