Judas Priest Announce “Farewell to the Prince” Tour Honouring Ozzy Osbourne
Heavy metal thunder rolled across the world once again this week as Judas Priest announced their final world tour, a blazing farewell titled “The Price of Darkness”, dedicated to the late and legendary Ozzy Osbourne. The band that helped forge the very foundations of metal now prepares to take its final bow while saluting the man who embodied its wild heart.
In a press conference held at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena — fittingly close to the birthplace of both bands — frontman Rob Halford appeared visibly moved. “Ozzy was more than a friend,” he said, his trademark leather gleaming under the lights. “He was the spark that set our world ablaze. This tour isn’t just for him — it’s for every soul who ever found freedom in the noise.”
The announcement follows an outpouring of global tributes since Osbourne’s passing earlier this year. For Judas Priest, the connection runs deep: both bands emerged from the industrial grit of the English Midlands, transforming the clang of factories into a new musical rebellion. Their shared history — decades of tours, camaraderie, and chaos — now finds its culmination in one final celebration.
“The Price of Darkness” tour will span five continents, kicking off in Los Angeles next spring before roaring through Europe, South America, and Asia. Each show promises a setlist spanning Priest’s storied career, infused with special renditions of Black Sabbath classics including “War Pigs” and “Iron Man,” featuring archival vocals from Ozzy himself. The performances will also include an immersive stage design echoing the gothic grandeur of Sabbath’s early imagery — a cathedral of sound and light built to honour the fallen Prince.
In a touching statement, guitarist Glenn Tipton, battling Parkinson’s disease but still contributing to the project, said: “This isn’t an ending — it’s a passing of the torch. We owe everything to Ozzy and to the fans who kept faith through the decades.”
As the final chords of British heavy metal prepare to ring out across the globe, one truth remains: legends may fade, but their echoes endure. Judas Priest’s farewell isn’t a goodbye — it’s a salute to the eternal darkness they helped bring into the light.
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