Zakk Wylde has created a special memorial track for the late Ozzy Osbourne, set to appear on his upcoming Black Label Society album, *Engines of Demolition*, which releases on March 27. Wylde wrote the song after returning from Osbourne’s funeral. The legendary frontman passed away from a heart attack at the age of 76 on July 22, 2025.
After laying Ozzy to rest, Wylde found himself at home in his library, looking at a book about Ozzy. He put on his headphones and started to reflect. “It was probably around 1:00 in the morning… I was just listening … and then I said, ‘All right, let me see what I’m going to write here,’” he shared.
The song will close out the album, and Wylde’s wife, Barbaranne, came up with its title. She often asked him to play Ozzy’s songs while they were driving, which inspired the name. *Engines of Demolition* features material Wylde has been working on over the last four years. He noted that he wouldn’t have written the lyrics if Ozzy were still alive.
The ballad begins with acoustic guitar and piano, building up to an electric guitar solo. While it pays tribute to the Prince of Darkness, Wylde hopes it offers comfort to anyone dealing with loss. The lyrics don’t mention Osbourne by name, but they resonate with those who are grieving.
Wylde joined Ozzy’s band in 1987 after the departures of Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee. He played with Ozzy for decades and performed at his farewell concert, *Back to the Beginning*, just weeks before Ozzy’s passing. Wylde compared Ozzy to his own father, who died in 2009, noting their shared resilience and compassion.
