JUDAS PRIEST featuring OZZY OSBOURNE – “War Pigs (Charity Version)” (2025 Sony)

In one of the most amazing collaborations in all of metal history (no hyperbole), Judas Priest teamed up with Black Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne for a cover of the Sab’s “War Pigs”.  In another amazing circumstance, the track wasn’t left to the digital download ether.  No; it was even given a CD release, albeit an expensive one when shipping is factored in.  The best part is that a all profits that the label would have received were donated to the Glenn Tipton Parkinson’s Foundation, and Cure Parkinson’s.   Glenn Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2008, while Ozzy was diagnosed in 2020.  This would be one of the last things Osbourne would ever do in music.

The cover art (credited to Mark Wilkinson) features the six musicians compiled together from separate photos:  Scott Travis (drums), Ian Hill (bass), Rob Halford (vocals), Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Glenn Tipton (guitars) and Richie Faulkner (guitars).  Priest’s live guitarist, producer Andy Sneap, handled the studio duties and additional guitar for a seven-man lineup.  Trivia buffs would love to know that both Ozzy and Rob Halford have performed as lead singer of Black Sabbath, so Rob is no stranger to this classic.

The first concern upon pushing play was, “How will Judas Priest, a single guitar band, do an old Black Sabbath tune?”  Would the styles mesh?

Yes they would.  Gloriously so.

From the opening chords, it was clear that Priest know how to meld the two metal worlds.  The guitar sounds singular, monolithic, like Iommi, before one comes careening in as if from “Sinner”, merging the two worlds.  The track generally goes this way:  true to the Sabbath sound, with occasional guitar chemistry that only Judas Priest can conjure.  The solo work is Priest, but vintage Priest, not modern-day shred.  Also noteworthy is drummer Scott Travis, who tries his best to inhabit that Sabbath world, especially on the cymbals.  He does a few double bass flipouts, but keeps them sparing and appropriate to the song.

As for the vocals, Ozzy sounds more at home, but the two trade off just as you imagine old pals would.  Ozzy takes the first line; Rob growls the second.  It’s a cool contrast:  the Prince of Darkness and the Metal God, together at last.  The two pair up on some key chill-inducing lines.

Let us be glad that this pairing happened.  It existed, and we have a CD of it.  Magnificent.  Rest in peace, Ozz.

4.5/5 stars