Judas Priest “Show Their Love” for Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath with Faithful Cover of ‘War Pigs’ Ahead of Final Show
By Camden R. Stone | July 5, 2025
In a moment that will go down in heavy metal history, Judas Priest delivered a thunderous, spine-tingling rendition of Black Sabbath’s iconic anthem “War Pigs” last night at London’s O2 Arena, paying tribute to their longtime friends and fellow pioneers Ozzy Osbourne and the legendary Sabbath. The performance came as part of Priest’s final farewell tour stop—a bittersweet celebration of over five decades of molten riffs, soaring vocals, and unapologetic defiance.
“We wanted to show our love, our respect, and our eternal horns-up to the men who helped invent this thing we call heavy metal,” frontman Rob Halford declared to a crowd of 20,000 roaring fans. “Without Black Sabbath, there’d be no Priest. There’d be no us. And certainly, none of this.”
A Brotherhood Forged in Steel
The relationship between Judas Priest and Black Sabbath stretches back to the early 1970s, when both bands were clawing their way out of Birmingham’s industrial gloom. Sabbath, of course, had already set the world ablaze with their dark, doom-laden debut in 1970. Priest emerged soon after, injecting metal with speed, leather, and the operatic firepower of Halford’s voice.
Over the years, the two bands maintained mutual respect and brotherhood, often sharing bills, studio stories, and late-night pints. Despite occasional rumors of rivalry, members of both groups have long dismissed any talk of bad blood.
“People always wanted to pit us against each other,” said Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton in a pre-show interview. “But the truth is, we were always fans of each other’s work. Ozzy’s voice, Tony’s riffs—bloody hell, they’re untouchable.”
Ozzy himself responded to the tribute via social media only hours after the performance, posting: “Bloody legends. War Pigs never sounded so good! Love ya, lads. Metal forever.”
The Performance: Raw, Relentless, Reverent
As the final encore of the night, the crowd already buzzed with emotion when Halford stepped to the mic under a dim red glow. “This one’s for you, Ozzy,” he growled. “And for Tony, Geezer, Bill. You’re the reason we’re all here.”
The opening notes of “War Pigs” sent a ripple of electricity through the crowd, with guitarist Richie Faulkner and Tipton trading riffs that echoed Iommi’s original menace while adding a Priest flair—faster, tighter, but never losing the song’s apocalyptic soul.
Halford’s voice, sharp as ever at 73, soared with a theatrical power that brought new dimension to the familiar lyrics. “Generals gathered in their masses…” he bellowed, the arena joining him word-for-word in a metal mass that felt almost sacred.
Behind him, drummer Scott Travis gave the beat a double-kick edge, and Ian Hill’s bassline rumbled like thunder beneath the battlefield imagery. The solo section lit the stage ablaze, with Faulkner shredding into a blistering tribute that ended with a synchronized pyro blast and a giant projected image of a young Ozzy giving the peace sign.
The crowd was left in awe—many in tears, others punching the sky in ecstasy.
A New Chapter Closes
The performance marked the end of Judas Priest’s final world tour, Forged in Fire: The Final Testament, which began in early 2024 and spanned six continents. Though the band insists this is the end of their touring days, they’ve left the door open for future studio work—and special one-off appearances.
“We’re not going away,” Halford told Metal Hammer earlier this year. “We’re just slowing the machine down. But if Ozzy calls and wants to do a Sabbath/Priest supergroup album? Count us in.”
The idea, once considered far-fetched, now seems less impossible. With Ozzy having stepped away from touring due to health issues, but still active creatively, the prospect of collaborative projects has tantalized fans worldwide.
“It’s not just about nostalgia,” said Faulkner after the show. “It’s about keeping this music alive, vital, and loud. Metal never retires.”
Legacy Cemented in Leather and Steel
Judas Priest’s cover of “War Pigs” wasn’t just a tip of the hat—it was a reminder of their place in the pantheon of metal gods. Their farewell tour was a blazing retrospective, featuring classics like “Breaking the Law,” “Painkiller,” “Electric Eye,” and deep cuts for diehard fans. But it was “War Pigs” that left the deepest mark.
Music critic Lena Morrell called it “the most powerful tribute performance of the decade,” writing for Kerrang!: “This wasn’t a cover—it was a ceremony. Judas Priest held a mirror up to their legacy and showed us the face of metal’s immortality.”
Fans online agreed, flooding social media with praise and emotion. One viral comment read: “When the Priest plays Sabbath, you know metal isn’t just music. It’s a brotherhood. A blood oath. Long live the gods.”
Ozzy’s Blessing
Just before the band took the stage for their final show, Ozzy sent a personal video message to be played on the arena’s massive LED wall. Clad in his signature black robe and smiling warmly, he said:
“To my brothers in Priest—you carried the torch higher and further than anyone could have dreamed. Thank you for your voice, your riffs, your madness. And for making me feel like a proud father of metal tonight. Love you always.”
The video received a standing ovation before the final set had even begun.
The End… or the Beginning?
As the lights dimmed and the last echoes of “War Pigs” faded into the night, Rob Halford knelt at center stage, kissed his hand, and raised it to the sky.
“For Ozzy. For Sabbath. For the metal gods. And for every single one of you who believed in the power of this music.”
Fans slowly trickled out, still buzzing from the emotional high, many already whispering rumors of a future collaboration between the two legendary bands. True or not, one thing was certain—Judas Priest’s tribute was more than a cover. It was a war cry, a love letter, and a heavy metal eulogy rolled into one.
As the banners in the arena read:
“THE PRIEST MAY REST, BUT METAL NEVER DIES.”
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