Known to fans as the “Prince of Darkness,” Ozzy Osbourne has spent decades blurring the lines between heavy metal and horror. With imagery rooted in Satanic ritual, witchcraft, and the macabre, Ozzy became more than a rock icon—he became a living embodiment of the genre’s darkest fears and wildest theatrics. From his infamous bat-biting moment to his role in the cult horror film Trick or Treat, and his deep ties to the movie that inspired Black Sabbath’s name, Ozzy’s career has been steeped in the supernatural. This is a look at the horror legacy of a man whose life, music, and mythos are as chilling as they are legendary.
Before they became Black Sabbath, the four Birmingham teens who formed a band in 1968 first called themselves the Polka Tulk Blues Band—named after the talcum powder Ozzy Osbourne’s mother used. The name was shortened to Polka Tulk, then changed to Earth, but they later discovered another band was already using that name. After seeing a screening of the 1963 Italian horror film Black Sabbath across the street from their rehearsal space, bassist Geezer Butler suggested they adopt the title as their new band name.
Also known as I tre volti della paura (The Three Faces of Fear), Black Sabbath is an Italian horror anthology directed by Mario Bava and hosted by Boris Karloff. The film features three eerie tales: The Telephone, in which a sex worker is tormented by phone calls from a deceased lover; The Wurdalak, about a family anxiously awaiting the return of their vampire-hunting patriarch who may now be one of the undead; and The Drop of Water, the most acclaimed of the trio, in which a nurse steals a ring from a dead medium—only to be haunted by her terrifying ghost. The film is widely credited with influencing the horror anthology format.
“Black Sabbath” is also the title track of the band’s 1970 debut album. Inspired by an experience Geezer Butler had while reading a book on the occult, the song describes a chilling encounter with a demonic entity and the fear of eternal damnation. Its use of the tritone—also known as the “Devil’s chord”—created a dark, ominous tone that became a signature not only for the band but for the emerging genre of heavy metal.
The Birth of the Prince of Darkness
Black Sabbath’s use of the “Devil’s chord” and occult-themed lyrics sparked a full-blown Satanic panic, with many accusing the band of being agents of the Devil. This notoriety earned Ozzy Osbourne the infamous title “Prince of Darkness.” While the nickname began as a joke, Ozzy leaned into the persona, adopting a signature all-black “uniform” complete with round tinted glasses and cross necklaces—a look that helped define the heavy metal aesthetic still associated with the genre today. Ozzy’s iconic photos over the years are steeped in imagery drawn from the horror genre—werewolves, vampires, witchcraft, Satanic rituals, and more.
Agents of the Devil indeed! When their manager urged them to see The Exorcist upon its 1974 release, the band found the film so terrifying they had to immediately watch The Sting to shake it off. Ozzy’s iconic metal cross also holds deep sentimental value—it was made by his father, a toolmaker, and worn in tribute after his father’s sudden death at age 64. Ozzy was just 29. The song “Junior’s Eyes” on Black Sabbath’s Never Say Die album was written in his father’s memory, and the loss became a quiet motivator for Ozzy to keep making music. Not so heartless for the Prince of Darkness, after all.
Ozzy’s Unlikely Horror Role: The Prince of Darkness Plays a Preacher
While Ozzy Osbourne is synonymous with darkness in the music world, his only true horror film acting role—where he doesn’t play himself or a rock star—is in the 1986 supernatural slasher Trick or Treat. A cult classic for its mix of heavy metal, horror, and humor, the film follows Eddie Weinbauer, a high school outcast and metalhead whose idol, rock legend Sammi Curr, dies in a mysterious hotel fire. Local DJ “Nuke” (played by Kiss frontman Gene Simmons) gives Eddie Sammi’s final demo, which—when played backward—allows him to communicate with the deceased singer.
At first, Sammi helps Eddie get revenge on his bullies, but things quickly turn sinister as Sammi plots to return from the dead through the demo. When Eddie tries to destroy the recording, he accidentally unleashes a demonic version of Sammi—just in time for Halloween. Ironically, Ozzy plays the role of Reverend Aaron Gilstrom, a conservative televangelist who condemns heavy metal. He even makes a surprise return in a brief post-credits clip.
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Bats, Bans, and Blackouts: The Wildest Tales of Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne’s life in the spotlight—defined by massive success, endless controversy, and a blend of horror and humor—is as metal as it gets. His drug- and alcohol-fueled antics reached legendary status, especially in the early '80s after being fired from Black Sabbath for erratic behavior. During a meeting with Epic Records executives, his wife Sharon planned a dramatic gesture involving the release of live doves. Ozzy went off-script—biting the head off one dove, getting thrown out of the building, and then biting the head off a second and tossing it at the receptionist on his way out.
While touring with Mötley Crüe, he reportedly snorted a line of ants by a hotel pool and smeared feces on his hotel room walls. On stage, he hurled raw meat and animal parts into the crowd—who returned the favor. At a 1982 show in Des Moines, someone threw what Ozzy assumed was a rubber bat. Only after biting off its head did he realize it was real, as blood filled his mouth. He was later banned from performing in San Antonio for a decade after urinating on a monument at the Alamo while wearing his wife’s dress.
Perhaps most disturbing: in 1989, during a drug-fueled blackout, he attempted to strangle Sharon and ended up in jail. Even that wasn’t his rock bottom. Years later, while touring in Prague, a drunken Ozzy threw a TV out of his hotel window—barely missing a man smoking below.
The Final Bow: Ozzy’s Last Performance with Black Sabbath
On July 5, 2025, at the age of 76, Ozzy Osbourne performed his final show—reuniting with Black Sabbath for the Back to the Beginning benefit concert in Birmingham, England, where it all began. The event raised over $188 million for children’s charities. After multiple spinal surgeries and a long battle with Parkinson’s, Ozzy made a dramatic entrance, rising from beneath the stage on an ornate black leather bat throne adorned with skulls, and began with the words: “Let the madness begin!” From his throne, he delivered a powerful four-song set: “War Pigs,” “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,” and, finally, “Paranoid.” True to form, Ozzy remained metal to the end—refusing painkillers so he could sing with a clear voice and full presence. While he didn’t know his death would come soon after, he was certain it would be his final time on stage.
His last words to the crowd:
“It’s the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”