“The Metal God Has Fallen”: Judas Priest Mourns the Loss of Ozzy Osbourne
The heavy metal world is in mourning following the heartbreaking death of Ozzy Osbourne, and among those most deeply affected are his longtime friends and fellow icons, Judas Priest.
In a heartfelt statement released just hours after the news broke, Judas Priest paid tribute to the Prince of Darkness with raw emotion and deep reverence.
“Our hearts are broken,” the band wrote. “Ozzy was more than a legend — he was family, a brother in metal, and a soul whose voice shaped generations. There will never be another like him.”
For decades, Ozzy and Judas Priest shared stages, stories, and struggles as the flagbearers of British heavy metal.
Both hailing from Birmingham, England, the bands came up together in the 1970s, forever changing the sound of rock music.
Their bond went beyond music — it was built on mutual respect, admiration, and the love of the fans who united under their thunderous sound.
Rob Halford, Judas Priest’s frontman, spoke with visible emotion during a radio interview following the announcement.
“I can’t believe he’s gone,” Halford said. “Ozzy was the voice of rebellion, of freedom.
He meant everything to so many of us — not just as a performer, but as a human being who wore his heart on his sleeve.”
He continued, “He survived so much, gave us so much joy, and never stopped being Ozzy — kind, wild, and one of a kind.”
The band also shared an old photo on social media — a backstage moment from 1980 — showing Ozzy and Priest sharing a laugh, eyes filled with mischief and camaraderie.
The caption simply read: “Forever in our hearts. Rest easy, brother.”
