On July 22, 2025, the heavy metal world got a lot less rowdy as its founding agitator, Ozzy Osbourne, died aged 76. The Prince Of Darkness had been at the heart of the genre for his entire career, from his pioneering antics with Black Sabbath right up to his retirement, when he bowed out at the blockbuster Back To The Beginning concert in his birthplace of Birmingham. He was also a multimedia star who transcended alternative music, as reflected by the tributes that followed his death: Coldplay and Cyndi Lauper honoured him at shows, and Elton John attended his funeral.
One year on, Ozzy remains in the zeitgeist. The last 12 months have been full of high-profile award wins, news stories and even controversies which are all ripples from his catastrophic loss. This is Hammer’s look back at metal’s first year without its leading man – the good, the bad and the confusing.
