Judas Priest has released a faithful and ferocious cover of Black Sabbath’s iconic anthem “War Pigs.” The cover arrives just weeks ahead of Judas Priest’s highly anticipated final show, part of their farewell tour, “The Metal Titans Final Roar.” The band, known for their blazing riffs and thunderous vocals, has long expressed admiration for their fellow Birmingham legends, and this latest release serves as both a celebration of Sabbath’s legacy and a heartfelt salute to the Prince of Darkness himself—Ozzy Osbourne.
Recorded with all the raw energy and precision that Judas Priest fans have come to expect, the cover of “War Pigs” doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it honors the original with a near-reverent attention to detail—keeping the haunting guitar lines and politically charged lyrics intact while infusing it with Rob Halford’s signature vocal intensity and the twin-guitar attack of Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap. The track has quickly resonated with fans, many of whom see it as a passing of the torch from one generation of metal royalty to the next.
In a statement accompanying the release, Halford described the song as “a sacred hymn of metal” and said covering it was both “a duty and a privilege.” He added, “Black Sabbath gave us all a voice. They forged a path in the darkness, and we followed. This cover is our love letter to where it all began—not just for Priest, but for heavy metal itself.” The sentiment is particularly poignant given the longstanding friendship and mutual respect between Judas Priest and Black Sabbath, both of whom emerged from the gritty industrial heart of Birmingham, England.
Ozzy Osbourne himself responded to the tribute on social media, calling it “bloody brilliant” and thanking Priest for “keeping the spirit alive.” Sharon Osbourne echoed the sentiment, praising the band for their class and their legacy. “War Pigs” has long been one of Sabbath’s most politically potent songs, and its renewed relevance in today’s turbulent times adds a layer of urgency to Priest’s rendition. The cover has reignited interest in both bands’ catalogs, reminding old and new fans alike why these acts continue to define the genre.
The timing of the release also speaks volumes. With Judas Priest preparing to bring down the curtain on their legendary career, this cover acts as a symbolic full-circle moment—a final salute to the band that inspired them to pick up instruments in the first place. As part of the final leg of their tour, the band is rumored to perform “War Pigs” live, perhaps even with surprise guests, further adding to the mounting excitement around their farewell show.
As fans prepare to say goodbye to one of heavy metal’s most enduring forces, Judas Priest’s “War Pigs” cover stands as a testament to the genre’s roots, its resilience, and the brotherhood that binds its legends together. It’s not just a song—it’s a tribute, a celebration, and a battle cry from a band that helped shape the sound of rebellion. And as the echoes of that riff fade into history, they leave behind a legacy as loud and immortal as the genre itself.
