WE ARE HONORED TO SHOW OUR LOVE FOR OZZY AND BLACK SABBATH WITH OUR HOMAGE OF ‘WAR PIGS’ – A SONG WE PLAY AT EVERY SHOW AROUND THE WORLD THAT FANS SING ALONG TO – REINFORCING THEIR LOVE AS WELL FOR THE LEGENDARY PRINCE OF DARKNESS….!! JUDAS PRIEST

There are moments in every band’s journey when you get to tip your hat to the very legends who paved the way—and for us, Judas Priest, that moment comes every time we play ‘War Pigs’. It’s more than just a song. It’s an anthem. A battle cry. A deep, thunderous reminder of where heavy metal came from and where it’s going. And above all, it’s our heartfelt homage to Ozzy Osbourne and the mighty Black Sabbath, whose influence on the genre—and on us—is nothing short of monumental.

From the very first time we jammed ‘War Pigs’, it became clear that it wasn’t just another cover. It was a statement of gratitude. A way for us to pay tribute to the foundation of metal, to the band that gave the world those first doomy riffs, haunting lyrics, and that unmistakable voice—the voice of the Prince of Darkness himself.

We’ve played this song on stages across the globe—from massive arenas to open-air festivals, from packed clubs to the biggest metal gatherings on Earth—and every single time, something magical happens. The crowd erupts. Voices rise. Fists pump the air. And thousands of fans sing the words back to us, not just as listeners, but as worshippers of the legacy that Black Sabbath carved into rock history.

And we get it. We’re fans too. Just like everyone in the crowd, we grew up with those records—“Paranoid,” “Master of Reality,” “Vol. 4”—spinning on repeat. Black Sabbath weren’t just a band; they were a movement. They opened the door for bands like us to walk through, axes in hand, and create something powerful. So playing ‘War Pigs’ isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about honoring the roots of everything heavy, loud, and true.

Ozzy is a force of nature. A performer like no other. His stage presence, his vulnerability, his wild energy—it all shaped what it means to be a frontman in this genre. The way he connected with audiences, the way his voice cut through the darkness—it still sends chills down our spines. He’s not just a singer. He’s a legend, a pioneer, and an icon who still inspires generations of musicians and fans alike.

Our version of ‘War Pigs’ isn’t meant to replace the original—because you simply can’t. That track stands alone in the annals of music history. What we do is celebrate it, breathing new life into it night after night, honoring the intention, the message, and the sheer weight of what it stands for. And when fans scream along with every line, we know they’re not just singing to us—they’re singing to Ozzy, to Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. They’re singing to Black Sabbath, the forefathers of metal.

To be able to carry that torch and pass it between generations is something we don’t take lightly. We’re proud to be part of a legacy that spans decades, crosses borders, and speaks in the universal language of raw power, emotion, and truth. Metal connects us all. And at the center of it stands Black Sabbath—the architects of the sound, the spirit, and the soul of heavy metal.

So from all of us in Judas Priest: we salute you, Ozzy. Thank you for the music, the madness, and the magic. Thank you for leading the way. We’ll keep playing ‘War Pigs’ loud and proud, wherever we go, with every ounce of love and respect it deserves.

The fans know. We know. And we’ll never stop honoring the legend.

Long live the Prince of Darkness. Long live Black Sabbath.