Zakk Wylde Pens Emotional Ozzy Osbourne Tribute Song

Black Label Society's new album features a song honoring the late metal icon

Apr. 20, 2026 at 3:37pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered mirror reflecting a single red rose petal, capturing the bittersweet beauty and fragility of heavy metal's most iconic frontman.A shattered mirror reflects the fading legacy of a metal legend, as Zakk Wylde's emotional tribute song honors the enduring spirit of Ozzy Osbourne.Today in Detroit

Black Label Society guitarist Zakk Wylde has opened up about writing an emotional tribute song called 'Ozzy's Song' for the band's new album 'Engines of Demolition'. Wylde, who played lead guitar in Ozzy Osbourne's band for years, says the process of writing the song was a deeply personal experience as he reflected on his longtime friendship and musical partnership with the late metal legend.

Why it matters

Ozzy Osbourne was a pioneering figure in heavy metal who had a profound impact on the genre and legions of fans worldwide. Wylde's tribute song provides a poignant way for the metal community to honor Ozzy's enduring musical legacy and the special bond he shared with his longtime guitarist.

The details

Wylde tells Revolver magazine that he wrote the lyrics for 'Ozzy's Song' while reflecting on Ozzy's life and their shared history, including memories of playing shows together at venues like Jones Beach Theater in New York. Wylde's wife Barbaranne actually came up with the title, as she would often refer to the song as 'Ozzy's Song' when listening to it. Wylde felt it was the perfect way to close out Black Label Society's new album, as a final farewell to the iconic metal frontman.

  • Wylde wrote the lyrics for 'Ozzy's Song' after returning home from a Pantera celebration tour, where he had played shows shortly after Ozzy's passing.
  • The song appears as the final track on Black Label Society's new album 'Engines of Demolition', which is set for release on April 25, 2026.

The players

Zakk Wylde

The lead guitarist for the heavy metal band Black Label Society, who also played lead guitar in Ozzy Osbourne's band for many years.

Ozzy Osbourne

The legendary heavy metal singer and frontman, known for his work with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist.

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What they’re saying

“We laid Ozzy to rest, and then I flew back out and we played Jones Beach [Theater in Long Island, New York]. That was the first Pantera show after lay­ing Ozzy to rest. I was having Ozzy flashbacks because the last time [Ozzy and I] played there it was raining and it was packed. I remember the first 30 rows, every­body was knee-high, thigh-high, in water... I'll never forget that.”

— Zakk Wylde, Guitarist, Black Label Society

“When the Pantera celebration run ended, I came home and sat in our library here at the house and I was looking at one of Ozzy's books that we have. I was just looking at him, and I listened to the tune, and I wrote the lyrics right there.”

— Zakk Wylde, Guitarist, Black Label Society

“We'd keep listening to it in the truck. And every time, [she] would say, 'Babe, put on Ozzy's song again.' She just kept referencing it as 'Ozzy's Song.'”

— Zakk Wylde, Guitarist, Black Label Society

What’s next

Black Label Society's new album 'Engines of Demolition' featuring 'Ozzy's Song' is set for release on April 25, 2026.

The takeaway

Zakk Wylde's deeply personal tribute to his longtime friend and collaborator Ozzy Osbourne serves as a poignant farewell to the metal icon, highlighting the profound impact Ozzy had on both Wylde and the broader heavy music community.