Rock Metal Legend Rob Halford Announces Tribute Album Honoring Ozzy Osbourne
In a stirring announcement that has electrified the global metal community, Rob Halford — iconic frontman of Judas Priest and widely revered as the “Metal God” — has confirmed he is releasing a new solo album in tribute to the late, great Ozzy Osbourne. The album, titled Eternal Ozz, is a deeply personal homage to the Prince of Darkness, commemorating a friendship that spanned decades and a bond forged in the fires of heavy metal history.
Speaking at a press conference held in Birmingham, England — the shared birthplace of both legends — Halford appeared visibly emotional as he described the inspiration behind the project. “Ozzy wasn’t just a trailblazer or a showman — though he was both of those in spades,” Halford said. “He was kind. He was generous. He treated me like a brother when I needed one most. This album is my love letter to the man who helped shape not only metal, but my life.”
The album, due for release in early 2026, will feature ten tracks, each inspired by specific moments Halford shared with Osbourne or drawn from themes Ozzy held dear — resilience, madness, rebellion, and transcendence. Stylistically, Eternal Ozz is said to blend classic heavy metal riffs with atmospheric doom, electronic experimentation, and even elements of orchestral rock — a sonic reflection of Ozzy’s genre-defying legacy.
One of the standout tracks, “Soul on Fire,” is an explosive opener that channels the raw energy of early Sabbath while layering in Halford’s signature operatic screams. Another song, “No More Sorrow,” draws from the pain of loss and celebrates the enduring spirit of the man who once famously declared, You can’t kill rock and roll. “I wrote it the day I heard Ozzy passed,” Halford revealed. “I just picked up my guitar and let it pour out. It was grief, but also gratitude. He gave us so much.”
Perhaps the most intimate track on the album is “Tea with the Devil,” a humorous, haunting ballad that references Halford’s many late-night chats with Ozzy while on tour — often over tea rather than alcohol in their later years. “He loved to talk about anything — books, philosophy, the supernatural,” Halford laughed. “He was a brilliant mind behind all the madness.”
The album will also include guest appearances from a who’s-who of metal royalty, including Tony Iommi, Zakk Wylde, and members of Metallica and Iron Maiden, each lending their talents to honor the man who inspired them. Even Sharon Osbourne has lent her voice in a spoken-word interlude on the track “Midnight Farewell,” where she recounts Ozzy’s final moments and his love for the fans.
The artwork for Eternal Ozz was created by legendary metal artist Mark Wilkinson and features a surreal image of Ozzy as a spectral figure ascending through a cathedral of guitar strings and bat wings. “It’s not sad,” Halford said. “It’s transcendent. Ozzy didn’t leave — he just evolved into legend.”
When asked about his favorite memory of Osbourne, Halford paused, visibly moved. “There was a night on the No More Tears tour when I was dealing with some personal demons,” he recalled. “Ozzy came into my dressing room, sat down, and said, ‘Rob, you’re not alone. We all fall, but we get up screaming.’ That stayed with me. It saved me in many ways.”
Eternal Ozz is not just an album — it’s a celebration, a spiritual monument, and a cathartic ritual for a community still mourning one of its most beloved voices. Fans have already begun planning listening parties, tribute nights, and candlelight vigils across the world. Some are even calling for a joint induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — Ozzy and Rob together, side by side.
As the announcement drew to a close, Halford raised a leather-gloved fist skyward and declared, “This one’s for you, Ozzy. Rest loud.”
Eternal Ozz drops worldwide on March 1st, 2026 — the same date Ozzy released his legendary solo debut Blizzard of Ozz in 1980.
