WE ARE HONORED TO SHOW OUR LOVE FOR OZZY AND BLACK SABBATH WITH OUR HOMAGE OF ‘WAR PIGS’ – A GLOBAL TRIBUTE FROM JUDAS PRIEST
July 10, 2025 – Judas Priest Statement
In the roaring heart of heavy metal, where riffs are thunder and lyrics echo across generations, certain songs transcend time. One such anthem is “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath. And for us — Judas Priest — it has become more than just a song. It’s a sacred tribute, a moment of reverence, and a powerful homage to the man who shaped a genre: Ozzy Osbourne, the undisputed Prince of Darkness.
We are honored — deeply and sincerely — to show our eternal love for Ozzy and Black Sabbath by performing “War Pigs” at every single show around the world. It’s not a gimmick. It’s not a filler. It’s a ritual. And something magical happens every time we play it: the fans sing it louder than we do.
Across continents — from Tokyo to Berlin, São Paulo to Los Angeles — audiences roar those opening words like a battle cry. They don’t just sing it… they live it. And in that moment, we’re united by more than music. We’re united by legacy.
A Legacy Forged in Fire and Thunder
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath didn’t just influence metal — they birthed it. “War Pigs,” with its anti-war message, haunting riffs, and Ozzy’s searing voice, cracked open the sky and made way for all of us. Without Sabbath, there would be no Priest, no metal scene, no stadiums filled with fists raised high in rebellion and reverence.
For decades, Ozzy has carried the weight of being a legend with both humility and unfiltered rawness. Through the highs and the demons, he stayed true — to himself and to the music. That’s why “War Pigs” hits harder than ever today. Because it’s not just about war. It’s about truth. About waking up. About not backing down. And those are values metal has always screamed into the void.
Our Bond with the Madman
Our history with Ozzy and Sabbath runs deep. We came up in the same trenches — the industrial chaos of Birmingham, the same smoke-filled pubs, the same relentless hunger. We’ve shared stages, stories, and brotherhood.
We’ve seen Ozzy evolve from wide-eyed frontman to cultural icon, to a survivor who continues to defy the odds. Even in his most fragile moments, there’s a fire behind his eyes that refuses to die. We saw it at Villa Park, we feel it in every documentary clip, and we hear it in every fan’s voice when they chant his name. He’s not just a singer. He’s a symbol. A flame.
“War Pigs” as a Battle Standard
To every fan reading this: when you scream “Generals gathered in their masses…” with us, you’re not just singing along. You’re joining a global choir of gratitude. You’re honoring the man who paved the way for every riff, every solo, every scream, and every rebel soul in the pit.
And to Ozzy himself — if you’re reading this — know that your brothers in Judas Priest salute you. We raise our horns high, night after night, in your honor. This is not just tribute. This is devotion. You’ve inspired millions. You’ve inspired us. And as long as we live and breathe metal, “War Pigs” will ring out as our nightly war cry to you.
What Comes Next
As whispers continue about a final Black Sabbath studio album in 2026, fans everywhere are hoping for one last Sabbath storm. If that moment comes, we will be first in line — not just as fellow musicians, but as fans ourselves.
But whether or not another record drops, Ozzy’s voice already echoes through eternity. Every time a young kid plugs in a guitar, every time a fan scribbles lyrics in a notebook, every time a crowd belts out “War Pigs” — that’s Ozzy’s legacy living on.
Thank You, Ozzy
So on this day — July 10, 2025 — we say it loud and proud:
THANK YOU, OZZY.
Thank you for being fearless. Thank you for turning pain into power. Thank you for giving us “War Pigs,” for giving us Sabbath, for giving us the fire that keeps this genre alive.
And to all the fans who have stood with us and shouted every word — you’re part of this legacy too. Let’s keep it burning.
We are Judas Priest. And we will keep playing “War Pigs” until the heavens fall.
— JUDAS PRIEST
July 10, 2025
Worldwide
