Even in passing, Ozzy Osbourne’s shadow still looms large over the heavy music world.
That legacy became impossible to miss after a towering six metre statue honouring the Prince of Darkness was unveiled at France’s Hellfest Open Air (per The PRP).
The new sculpture was revealed during the 2026 edition of the legendary festival in Clisson, France. Created by acclaimed French artist Philippe Pasqua, the monument now stands among the festival’s growing collection of tributes to some of rock and metal’s most influential figures.
While Sharon Osbourne wasn’t present for the unveiling, she shared images of the statue on social media and explained why she couldn’t attend the ceremony in person.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be at Hellfest for the unveiling of Ozzy’s statue. Unfortunately I had an unexpected trip to the hospital earlier in the week. A big thank you Olivier Garnier, Ben Barbaud and everyone at Hellfest. Special thank you to @philippe_pasqua_officiel for the absolutely stunning statue!”
The installation marks another major recognition of Ozzy‘s impact on heavy music, few artists have left a fingerprint on the genre as deep as the Black Sabbath frontman, whose influence continues to stretch across generations of metal, hard rock and alternative artists.
Hellfest has developed a reputation for celebrating the culture and history of heavy music beyond the festival stages, Ozzy now joins another towering figure of the scene on the festival grounds: Motörhead’s Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister.
A statue dedicated to Lemmy was previously installed at the site, turning part of the festival into a permanent tribute to two artists whose names have become inseparable from the story of heavy metal.
For fans making the pilgrimage to Hellfest in coming years, the massive new monument offers another reminder that while icons may leave the stage, their presence never really disappears. In Ozzy’s case, it’s now carved into the landscape itself.
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