Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media, Inc.
An extensively altered rendition of Black Sabbath’s renowned “War Pigs” is gaining immense popularity on the internet through a trailer for Ridley Scott’s highly-anticipated Napoleon epic.
At the beginning of this year, Sony Pictures unveiled the initial trailer for Ridley Scott’s upcoming Napoleon epic. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix in the role of the legendary, pint-sized conqueror, and the trailer featured segments of the movie’s score composed by Martin Phipps.
Following Hollywood tradition, a second trailer was released just two weeks ago, and the music from the first trailer was notably absent. In its place, viewers were treated to a distinctive rendition of Black Sabbath’s iconic anti-war anthem, “War Pigs,” with Ozzy Osbourne’s original vocals drenched in reverb, accompanied by suitably grandiose string arrangements. The other members of the band remained unheard, but the combination was undeniably impactful.
This is not a novel occurrence, as modified versions of “War Pigs” have previously graced the trailers for the 2011 video game Gears Of War 3 and the 2019 spy thriller The King’s Man. The song naturally lends itself to these epic cinematic uses.
Jim Simpson, Black Sabbath’s original manager during the time when the song was first recorded, comments on the use of “War Pigs” in the trailer for a film set over two centuries ago, saying, “In the trailer, you can hear a perfectly clear Ozzy singing Geezer’s lyrics in the anti-war song ‘War Pigs.’ ‘Generals gathered in their masses, just like witches at black masses…’ – it sounds absolutely flawless.”
The irrefutable evidence of Sabbath’s lasting allure lies in their global fanbase, spanning various age groups and cultures. Similar to the enduring legacies of musical giants like Beethoven and Mozart, one can envision that Sabbath’s Birmingham-born music will continue to be played and cherished for 200 years or more into the future.
Jim Simpson, who is now in his 80s, continues his work in Birmingham and oversees Henry’s Blueshouse at The O Bar, situated across from the official Black Sabbath Bench.