The band recorded tracks at Shangri-La Studios in Malibu with producer Rick Rubin during the sessions for 13, their nineteenth album.

Guitarist Tony Iommi had written "a whole load of riffs" for the abandoned LP, but bassist "Geezer (Butler) didn't particularly want to do another album."

"[3] The EP was intended to be promoted with The End Tour, being only available for purchase at live dates.

Cover art for the disc was created by OBEY founder and artist Shepard Fairey.

[4] The End was placed at number 20 on Rolling Stone's top metal albums of 2016.