Black Label Society have released their twelfth studio album Engines of Demolition on March 27, 2026 via MNRK Heavy, and the closing track — titled “Ozzy’s Song” — stands out as a deeply personal tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne.
The album marks the longest gap between Black Label Society studio releases, with nearly five years since 2021’s Doom Crew Inc.. It features 15 tracks blending heavy riffs, groove elements, and emotional moments under the leadership of founder, guitarist, singer, and songwriter Zakk Wylde, who has long been known as Osbourne’s guitarist and collaborator.
“Ozzy’s Song” appears late in the track listing and is intended as a tribute to Osbourne’s memory. Wylde wrote the music with lyrics composed after returning home from Osbourne’s funeral, capturing the emotional impact of the loss. According to Wylde’s account, he sat alone at around 1 a.m. with headphones and a book of Ozzy photos — and that setting inspired the words he ultimately wrote. The result is a tender, piano‑ and acoustic‑driven ballad that builds into a powerful electric guitar solo, expressing grief, respect, and everlasting influence.
For the guitar solo, Wylde chose to use his iconic Les Paul known as “The Grail,” the same instrument on which he wrote his very first song with Osbourne decades earlier. That choice gives the track a full‑circle quality, tying his earliest work with Ozzy to this final homage. Producer Adam Fuller suggested the guitar for the solo, reinforcing the symbolic nature of the moment. “[The Grail] was the first song I ever wrote with Ozzy — and then also the last tribute to him,” Wylde has said.
Wylde’s connection to Osbourne goes back to 1987, when he joined Ozzy’s band following the departure of previous guitarists. He remained a key part of Osbourne’s sound and shared in major moments, including performing at the Back to the Beginning Black Sabbath tribute concert in July 2025, which turned out to be Osbourne’s final live appearance before his death.
In addition to its emotional core, “Ozzy’s Song” will also receive a music video release timed with the album. Wylde and his band teased that the visuals will aim to be moving, highlighting the tribute’s personal significance.
Engines of Demolition overall delivers a broad spectrum of Black Label Society’s sound — from hard‑hitting tracks like “Name in Blood” and “Lord Humungus” to more introspective pieces — but “Ozzy’s Song” clearly serves as its emotional centerpiece and a testament to Wylde’s enduring bond with the man who helped define his career.
