Metal titans Judas Priest are set to release a historic duet version of Black Sabbath‘s “War Pigs” featuring vocals from Ozzy Osbourne, recorded before his death in July 2025. The keenly anticipated track, described by Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford as “colossal,” is expected to drop “pretty soon” according to statements made in September 2025, though no official release date has been confirmed.
The unique collaboration came about after Sharon Osbourne heard Judas Priest’s live cover of the iconic anti-war anthem and proposed involving her husband in the project. Rather than singing simultaneously, the recording features Halford and Osbourne alternating lines, creating an unprecedented vocal interplay between two of heavy metal‘s most distinctive voices.
“This marks the first time our voices have been captured together,” Halford noted while expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work with the legendary Black Sabbath vocalist.
“War Pigs,” originally released on Black Sabbath’s 1970 album *Paranoid*, has maintained remarkable staying power over five decades. The track has appeared on multiple charts in recent years, reaching number 190 on Billboard’s Global 200 and climbing as high as number 4 on UK rock and metal charts. Its anti-war message continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. The song was initially titled “Walpurgis” but was renamed due to concerns about Satanic associations, despite the lyrics being completed before the title change.
The song has inspired numerous covers over the years, including versions by Faith No More in 1989 and, more recently, T-Pain in 2023. Even Ethiopian band uKanDanZ recorded the track in Amharic, demonstrating its cross-cultural impact. Both artists have spent decades defining their brand through distinctive vocal styles and powerful stage personas that have made them instantly recognizable to metal fans worldwide.
Judas Priest’s tribute performance, posted on YouTube in July 2025, served as a dedication to Osbourne and Black Sabbath following Ozzy’s passing. The forthcoming studio duet preserves one of Osbourne’s final vocal recordings, creating a poignant bridge between two iconic metal legacies.
For fans of both artists, this collaboration represents a historic moment in heavy metal history, uniting two influential voices on a song that helped define the genre. Industry insiders speculate the track could generate substantial revenue through sync deals if licensed for upcoming films or video games featuring metal music.
