by Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford recently shared details about an upcoming duet with Ozzy Osbourne on “War Pigs.” He revealed how Sharon Osbourne approached him with the collaboration idea, as reported by Loudwire.
The collaboration represents a historic first-time duet between the two metal legends. Halford expressed his gratitude for the opportunity.
“It’s there, we’re just having to go through all the rigmarole of legal clearance and so on and so forth,” Halford said. “But when Sharon said, and this is just so beautiful, when she approached me with this idea, she said, ‘I love your version of ‘War Pigs.’ Is there a way we can get Ozzy?’ I was, ‘You’re asking me? This is gonna happen.’”
The recording features alternating vocals between the two metal icons. Halford describes this as creating a unique listening experience.
“So we were able to make it work, so you get Ozzy singing a line and then I’m singing a line and Ozzy’s singing a line and I’m singing a line,” he continued. “It’s the first ever time in my entire life that I’ve been able to do a duet with Ozzy and I’m so eternally grateful and blessed that I was able to do that.”
Halford emphasized the impact of adding Osbourne’s vocals to Priest’s version of the Black Sabbath classic.
“When you hear it, it’s just colossal,” he said. “You think that you’ve heard the one experience of Priest’s ‘War Pigs,’ but when you hear Priest’s ‘War Pigs’ with Ozzy singing on that track, it’s just going to a really special place.”
The release appears imminent. Final preparations are underway. “The green button’s almost ready to go. We’re finalizing some artwork and bits and pieces that you have to go through. But I think it’s gonna be pretty soon,” Halford concluded.
This upcoming duet builds upon Judas Priest’s recent tribute to Black Sabbath’s legacy and the long-standing connection between the two metal icons.
Punk News reported that Judas Priest released their cover of Black Sabbath’s classic “War Pigs” on July 2, 2025, as a heartfelt homage to Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s legacy. The band emphasized that “War Pigs” is a song they play at every show worldwide. Fans sing along, underscoring their admiration for Ozzy, whom they refer to as the “legendary Prince of Darkness.”
The collaboration between Halford and Osbourne isn’t entirely unprecedented. The two metal legends have crossed paths professionally before. Halford has famously served as the lead vocalist for Black Sabbath on several occasions throughout his career. He stepped in during 1992 twice and once again in 2004, demonstrating the mutual respect and musical compatibility between the artists.
Metal Underground noted that Judas Priest’s 2025 “War Pigs” cover was released ahead of Black Sabbath’s final show. Judas Priest was unable to perform there due to scheduling conflicts. This timing makes the upcoming duet even more significant, as it represents a bridge between the two legendary acts during a pivotal moment in heavy metal history.
The duet project showcases how established metal acts continue to honor their influences while creating new collaborative works. Both artists have shaped the heavy metal genre for decades. Their combined voices on “War Pigs” promise to deliver what Halford describes as a “colossal” listening experience that will resonate with fans of both legendary bands.
