**Judas Priest Share “War Pigs” Cover Ahead of Black Sabbath Farewell Show**
In a powerful act of tribute and camaraderie, heavy metal titans Judas Priest have released a searing cover of Black Sabbath’s legendary track “War Pigs” just days before Sabbath’s final farewell show at Villa Park in Birmingham. The surprise release, now streaming on all major platforms, marks an emotional salute from one Birmingham-born metal giant to another.
Faithful to the spirit of the original while laced with Judas Priest’s signature edge, the cover roars to life with brooding intensity. Rob Halford delivers a commanding vocal performance that pays homage to Ozzy Osbourne’s iconic tone, while still infusing the track with his own unmistakable power and theatricality. The twin guitars of Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap grind and wail with precise fury, capturing the weight and menace of Tony Iommi’s classic riffs.
Speaking on the release, Halford said, “Black Sabbath opened the gates for all of us. Covering ‘War Pigs’ felt like the right way to say thank you—not just to the band, but to the legacy, to Birmingham, and to every fan who’s ever raised their horns to this music.”
The timing of the track’s release—just ahead of Sabbath’s final show on July 5—adds gravity to an already monumental moment in rock history. For fans, it feels like a symbolic passing of the torch, a nod of respect from one of metal’s defining acts to the band that started it all.
Fans and critics alike have praised the cover, calling it “epic,” “authentic,” and “a love letter to metal’s roots.” As Black Sabbath prepares to take their final bow, Judas Priest’s rendition of “War Pigs” reminds the world of where it all began—and why heavy metal will
never die.
