Judas Priest pays tribute to fellow Birmingham titans Black Sabbath with a powerful War Pigs song

Judas Priest won’t be at Back To The Beginning this weekend, but that hasn’t prevented them from tipping their hat to the godfathers of heavy metal.

Judas Priest recorded War Pigs as an homage to fellow Birmingham heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath.

Earlier today (July 1), the self-proclaimed Metal Gods released their rendition of the opening song from Sabbath’s iconic second album Paranoid, which they’ve been playing off the tape before their gigs for many years.

The band comments: “We are honoured to show our love for Ozzy [Osbourne] and Black Sabbath with our homage to War Pigs: a song we play at every show around the world that fans sing along to – reinforcing their love as well for the legendary Prince Of Darkness!”

Sabbath’s original lineup, including vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward, will reconvene onstage for the first time in nearly 20 years at their Back To The Beginning all-dayer on Saturday (July 5).

The gig, which will take place at Villa Park in Birmingham, will be Osbourne’s final performance before retiring from touring in 2023. The singer will perform both with Sabbath and as a solo artist, and the bill will feature a who’s who of hard rock and heavy metal, including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Slayer.

Priest are one of the few well-known metal bands missing from Saturday’s program, but they have a valid cause. Frontman Rob Halford recently told Metal Hammer that the band will be playing the 60th anniversary celebrations for hard rockers Scorpions in Germany on the same day and would be unable to attend both gigs.

He stated he was “gutted” over the split, but added that founding guitarist K.K. Downing, who quit Priest in 2011, would represent “the spirit of the band” at Back To The Beginning.

Priest are presently travelling Europe on their Shield Of Pain tour, commemorating both their most recent album, Invincible Shield, and the 35th anniversary of their 1990 masterpiece, Painkiller. The tour will conclude with two gigs in the United Kingdom, the second of which will be a co-headliner with Alice Cooper at London’s O2 Arena on July 25.

Priest and Cooper will tour North America together from September to October. Visit their website for more information and to purchase tickets.

Judas Priest and Slayer, two heavy metal legends, recently announced a historic collaboration titled “In Loving Memory Of…” The project includes an album and a co-headlining tour

In Loving Memory Of…: Judas Priest and Slayer Unite for a Monumental Album and Tour

In an announcement that has electrified the global heavy metal community, Judas Priest and Slayer, two of the most iconic names in the genre’s history, have revealed a groundbreaking collaboration titled In Loving Memory Of… This union, forged in both reverence and rebellion, consists of a studio album and a co-headlining tour that promises to etch itself into the annals of metal legend.

Judas Priest, the British pioneers whose soaring guitars and operatic power shaped the DNA of modern metal, and Slayer, the American titans of thrash known for their blistering speed and visceral intensity, may have stood on opposite ends of the metal spectrum for decades. But in this new era, they have found powerful common ground. This collaboration is less about compromise and more about a celebration of legacy, evolution, and mutual respect.

The title In Loving Memory Of… serves as both a tribute and a statement. It honors the fallen heroes of metal—musicians, fans, and ideals—while also embracing the unbreakable vitality of the genre. From the moment the announcement was made, speculation erupted across forums and fan circles, with many already calling it one of the most meaningful projects in heavy metal history.

The album is said to blend both bands’ distinct musical identities. Judas Priest’s clean yet thunderous melodies and Slayer’s razor-edged ferocity are being fused into a soundscape that’s at once nostalgic and revolutionary. Early studio leaks hint at crushing riffs, shared vocals between Rob Halford and Tom Araya, and lyrical themes exploring mortality, unity, and defiance.

The co-headlining tour that accompanies the album is being billed as a global pilgrimage for metalheads. With stops planned across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, the tour will bring together fans of classic and extreme metal alike. The live shows will feature back-to-back and joint performances, including medleys of classic tracks reimagined for this special event.

Both bands have expressed deep reverence for each other. Halford has spoken openly about Slayer’s uncompromising vision and raw aggression, while Kerry King has praised Judas Priest’s unparalleled songwriting and theatrical power. Their mutual admiration is one of the cornerstones of this collaboration, and fans can expect that chemistry to ignite the stage.

The album artwork, created by a renowned dark fantasy artist, depicts a decaying cathedral split by lightning, with shadowy figures bearing the flags of both bands. The imagery is rich with symbolism—representing not only death and remembrance but also rebirth through unity. This aesthetic will carry through the tour’s stage design, merchandise, and visuals.

Beyond the music, In Loving Memory Of… is also a cultural moment. It arrives at a time when heavy metal is undergoing a resurgence in popularity and relevance. New fans are discovering the genre’s roots, while long-time listeners are embracing the idea that legacy bands still have new stories to tell. This project taps into that momentum with authenticity and boldness.

The collaboration will also include a documentary chronicling the making of the album and the behind-the-scenes story of how this unlikely alliance came to be. The film will feature archival footage, intimate interviews, and reflections from other prominent metal figures who’ve been influenced by Judas Priest and Slayer.

Special edition releases of the album are in the works, including vinyl box sets, autographed bundles, and limited pressings that come with handwritten lyrics and exclusive artwork. Collectors and diehard fans alike are already preparing to secure their piece of this historic moment.

Many see this project as a gesture of passing the torch. Both bands have hinted that this could be one of their final large-scale endeavors. Rather than fading quietly, they’ve chosen to go out with purpose, fire, and brotherhood—defiant to the end, just as they lived.

Critics who have previewed select tracks describe the album as “relentless yet heartfelt,” “ferocious but melodic,” and “one of the boldest cross-band collaborations in heavy music.” It doesn’t seek to soften Slayer’s edges or pull Priest into the thrash abyss, but rather melds their unique spirits into something altogether new.

The tour is also expected to feature several guest appearances. Names haven’t been confirmed, but insiders suggest that a few legendary peers and rising stars may join for specific dates, making each concert a potentially one-of-a-kind experience.

In true metal fashion, proceeds from a portion of the tour’s ticket sales will go toward mental health and addiction recovery programs, as well as memorial funds for fallen musicians. The gesture is not only timely but deeply meaningful to fans who’ve found healing and community in metal’s raw power.

Despite the emotional weight of the project’s name, In Loving Memory Of… is anything but a funeral march. It’s a war cry against silence. It’s an ode to those who built the foundation of metal and those who continue to push it forward. It’s the thunderous heartbeat of a genre that refuses to die.

In press appearances, both bands have emphasized the joy and intensity they’ve found in working together. There’s a sense of urgency and gratitude in their voices, a recognition that this moment is rare and should be cherished. They’re not just doing it for legacy—they’re doing it for love.

As anticipation builds, fans across continents are already organizing travel, watch parties, and listening sessions. Social media has exploded with excitement, and pre-orders have reached record numbers for both bands. The metal community is rallying like a family preparing for a reunion of epic proportions.

Ultimately, In Loving Memory Of… is more than a collaboration. It’s a living monument to the spirit of heavy metal. It reminds the world that true power lies in unity, that rebellion never grows old, and that even in farewell, legends can blaze a trail for eternity.