Justin Hawkins, flamboyant frontman of The Darkness and longtime student of rock’s theatrical roots, has weighed in with glowing praise for Judas Priest’s electrifying cover of Black Sabbath’s iconic anthem, “War Pigs.” Taking to his popular YouTube channel, *Justin Hawkins Rides Again*, the high-octane vocalist broke down what makes the rendition so memorable — and why it deserves a place in metal’s modern hall of fame.
“It’s more than a cover,” Hawkins said, “it’s a ceremonial torch-passing.” His admiration was evident as he dissected the performance, focusing on Rob Halford’s searing vocal delivery, which he described as “otherworldly” and “capable of waking the dead.” According to Hawkins, the band managed to honor the apocalyptic grandeur of the original while injecting it with their own polished, battle-hardened bite.
He was especially impressed by the arrangement, noting that Judas Priest kept the spirit of Sabbath alive without falling into imitation. “They didn’t try to be Sabbath,” he said. “They brought Priest into the DNA of the song — and it works.”
The Darkness singer also credited the performance as a love letter to Birmingham, the birthplace of both bands, and to heavy metal itself. “There’s something full-circle and poetic about this moment,” he mused. “It’s reverent, but also defiant. It’s everything metal should be.”
Fans in the comments echoed his sentiments, calling the cover “chilling,” “a masterstroke,” and “a celebration of legacy done right.”
With Sabbath’s final farewell looming and Judas Priest continuing to fly the flag for British metal, Hawkins’ review feels less like fan chatter and more like a coronation. In his words: “If you’re a real rock fan, you owe it to yourself to hear this. This isn’t nostalgia — it’s resu
rrection.”
