a deeply moving farewell to their late frontman, Black Sabbath has unveiled a haunting tribute song titled He Gave Us Darkness, set to debut exclusively on Netflix on August 15, 2025. The track—penned by founding members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—channels the weight and legacy of Ozzy Osbourne through its brooding guitars, lyrical melancholy, and an orchestral crescendo that echoes with emotional resonance.
The Netflix premiere arrives just three weeks after Osbourne’s peaceful passing on July 22, 2025 at age 76, following complications from Parkinson’s disease . Ozzy had given his final live performance with Black Sabbath on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, reuniting the original line‑up for their first show together in 20 years and raising millions for charities including Cure Parkinson’s and Birmingham Children’s Hospital .
In the days since Ozzy’s death, tributes have poured in from global artists. Coldplay’s Chris Martin delivered a piano version of “Changes” mid‑concert, dedicating the entire show in Nashville to Osbourne and ending with, “Ozzy, we love you, wherever you’re going” . Meanwhile, punk‑rock icon Yungblud vowed to perform “Changes” live every night for the rest of his life, calling Osbourne his “North Star” .
He Gave Us Darkness merges these sentiments into a chilling, elegiac anthem. It begins with a slow, mournful riff before Osbourne’s own archival vocals emerge—sampled from his final rehearsals—layered under Iommi’s solemn lead. Butler’s bass anchors the track’s sorrowful pull, while Ward’s drums steadily build to a thunderous conclusion. Orchestral strings materialize midway, evoking the same haunting tone of Black Sabbath’s early ballads while elevating the emotional gravitas.
Accompanying the song’s release, Netflix will stream a short documentary segment titled Ozzysong, tracing the making of the tribute. It includes interviews with the surviving band members, fan footage from the farewell concert, and commentary from artists like Elton John, Metallica, Gojira, and Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready—all of whom contributed personal memories and reflections on Osbourne’s influence .
Fans and critics alike are anticipating He Gave Us Darkness to become more than a final track—it’s a sonic monument to an artist who shaped metal into a cultural force. Netflix’s decision to premiere the tribute aligns with its growing catalog of music‑based programming, and marks a significant moment: a legendary band honoring its own legend in a haunting remembrance.
With its blend of raw emotional power, historic archival material, and sweeping production value, He Gave Us Darkness promises a poignant farewell in which the spirit of Ozzy Osbourne—forever the Prince of Darkness—shines through the shadows he cast.
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