Ozzy Osbourne - Black Rain Review
Posted by Dan Marsicano on 05.23.2007
Ozzy Osbourne returns with his first studio album in six years. Does Black Rain see the "Prince of Darkness" at the top of his game or will his latest effort disappoint his subjects?
Introduction:
Hey everyone. I just want to thank the few people who responded to my questions in my next review. The questions were:
1. How many guitarists, including Mustaine, have played in Megadeth (includes albums and live shows)?
2. Which famous metal guitarist tried out for Megadeth in 1989 after Jeff Young left the band?
The answer to the first question was eight. The guitarists that played in Megadeth were Greg Handevidt, Kerry King, Chris Poland, Jeff Young, Marty Friedman, Al Pitrelli, and Glen Drover. Some people said Jay Reynolds as well, but he really didn’t play any shows. The answer to the second question is actually interesting. I was looking for Jeff Loomis (Nevermore) and Jeff Waters (Annihilator). However, I got answers that ranged from Dimebag Darrell to Darrell Roberts. Those are correct as well, so I’ll just include those as well. So the people who responded correctly are Jason Rynes and Marty Barrows. My next question is a question about Ozzy and I’ll try to make it a bit easier.
1. What are Ozzy Osbourne’s highest and lowest selling albums to date?
The Band:
Ozzy Osbourne-Vocals
Zakk Wylde-Guitar
Rob “Blasko” Nicholson-Bass
Mike Bordin-Drums
The Review:
Six years is a long time for anything. Six years ago, I was still in middle school, trying to pass basic science classes and working up the nerve to talk to girls. Six years ago, the war overseas was just beginning with American optimism at an all time high. It was also six years ago that Ozzy Osbourne released his last solo album of new material, Down to Earth. While a decent album, it suffered from production issues and not enough Zakk Wylde material. Black Rain aims to fix that as Zakk Wylde actually writes most of the material for the album for the first time in over fifteen years. Ozzy has been hyping this album as the sequel to No More Tears, For Ozzy, all of this hype is both a blessing and a curse.
The album starts off strong with “Not Going Away.” Basically an F**k you to everybody who has spoken badly about the Prince of Darkness, the track is a slow and doomy sounding head banger. “Get out of my way, there’s nothing you can do to change what I do or say,” Ozzy growls behind a driving Zakk riff, which leads into a patient Zakk Wylde solo, complete with whammy bar. The first of many surprises awaits the listener after the solo when the band disappears and a chorus of voices appears out of nowhere. This is followed by an almost death-metal growl that is 100% studio enhanced, which is a little disappointing, but helps the track to stand out. The track ends with the band coming back to finish out the song.
The single “I Don’t Wanna Stop” is next and Ozzy continues the F**k you attitude that was present in the lyrics of the last song. Starting with feedback and a lonely guitar, the song becomes a catchy mid-tempo song. It is a decent song that sounds like a Black Label Society reject at times, especially with the solo.
The title track is up next and this is probably the most surprising track done by Ozzy in a while. Why, you may ask? One word: harmonica! Yes, the great return of the harmonica to Ozzy’s music. I seriously haven’t heard him use one since his Black Sabbath days (guess the song and Ill give you bonus points). A edgier song that has more thought-provoking lyrics dealing with the current war. The bass really stands out in this track as it not only leads the rhythm, but is able to get in a few good licks here and there. The marching of troops leads to a middle-eastern sounding solo from Zakk Wylde that is different for the usually whammy heavy solos from Zakk. Black Rain is one of the best tracks Ozzy has done in years.
“Lay Your World on Me” is one of two ballads on the album. Starting with a repeating drum beat, the band enters in, but like most ballads, plays super slow. Keyboards and a piano highlight the chorus, which sounds like it came from the 1980’s. Of course, like most Ozzy’s ballads, it builds up with uplifting lyrics like “We can make it together” and Zakk plays that emotional solo that has been a staple of cheesy rock ballads since the 80’s. A good ballad, but it doesn’t do anything memorable to separate it from others of its kind.
“The Almighty Dollar” is special for one reason. At 6 minutes and 57 seconds, “The Almighty Dollar” is the longest song that Ozzy has done since “No More Tears” back in 1991. A groovy bass line drives the beginning of the song as Ozzy uses the magic of the studio to make himself sound all evil as he sings about greed. The song continues to use the groovy bass line, which is different for an Ozzy song, which aren't usually groovy sounding. The interesting thing about the lyrics is that Ozzy is trying to sound political and relate to current events, but he really doesn’t put it all together successfully. It seems like a bunch of ideas that aren't articulated well enough. The song, musically, is solid though. Another middle-eastern sounding solo by Zakk Wlyde ends the first half of the song. Let me say that it is nice to hear Zakk doing some different things with his soloing, which gets a bit repetitive at times.
The second half of the song opens up with a piano and Ozzy having fun with studio effects again. The piano is very nice in this song because of the dark and desperate feeling it gets across to the listener. The band returns to close the album while Ozzy gets all bad ass and says “F**k” at one point or another. Overall, a really good song that is probably the best epic song done by Ozzy since “No More Tears.”
“11 Silver” finally brings on the heaviness with a bit more speed to it. The bass, yet again, gets another nice section to stand out with. Ozzy must have hated Robert Trujillo since Rob never had the chance to show his chops off on the last album Down to Earth. This song is a really fast and upbeat song that helps to change the pace of the album a bit. Not only does Blasko get some nice licks in, but Mike Bordin is able to pull off some fills at certain sections that shows off his chops. All of a sudden, Zakk Wylde goes insane. I mean, seriously, he must go all over the guitar in a span of two seconds. Wow, the best solo of the album of the album without a doubt. An excellent track that really shows off that Ozzy, even at the ripe age of 59, still has a few fast songs left in him.
Another bass line to start off a song?! Geez, Ozzy, now I know you hated Robert Trujillo. Or somebody really hated him enough to have him never heard on Down to Earth. “Civilize the Universe” is a slower track than “11 Silver,” but still keeps the momentum going. The lyrics take a look at religion and its influence on our society. Not too original, but at least Ozzy is keeping the lyrical content different between each track, for the most part. Wylde’s solo sounds a bit like the one in the first track, but maybe that is because he uses the whammy bar a lot, like in “Not Going Away.”
Now its time for the second ballad on the album! “Here for You” is an emotional track that is dedicated to Ozzy’s wife Sharon, who was struggling with cancer back a few years ago. This time, the piano takes center stage instead of staying in the background. Ok, I’m going to try to say this without being a dick. Ozzy, you have to stop singing about your wife. I mean, we all know you love her. This isn’t the first song he has done about her. What about “Mama, I’m Coming Home?” He even references her in “Flying High Again.” “Here for You” does its job as the emotional track to his wife, but it really is nothing special. Which ballad is better? Picking the better ballad is like choosing a favorite son/daughter. It’s tough to choose between which one, so you just don’t bother with it and enjoy what you got.
“Countdown’s Begun” starts off slow, but picks up speed and turns into another slow and doomy sounding track. Unlike “Here for You,” this song has some depressing lyrics. I always found it funny the track listing of Ozzy’s solo albums. One example is “Suicide Solution” after “Goodbye to Romance” on Blizzard of Ozz. Getting back on topic, the song is decent, but for the first time, the song really doesn’t stand out and just does not catch my attention like most of the other songs. The only highlight is another great Zakk solo that is just too short.
The last song, “Trap Door,” isn’t a slow uplifting song. Ozzy decides to have another fast track ala “11 Silver.” The bass is in the front of the mix again and helps to drive the song forward. The second song to classify as a head banger, Ozzy made a good choice having this song finish out the album. Zakk gets in some good riffs and harmony leads here and there while Bordin has his best drumming performance of the album. Surprising, there isn’t a Zakk solo at all. That has to be the first Ozzy song in a while without a Zakk solo. While not the greatest last track ever, it is still an entertaining finish.
Ozzy Osbourne’s vocals are much better than on Down to Earth. They still suffer from too much studio effects and having a more processed sound with them. Even with these faults, Ozzy still does not sound too bad for a 59 year old man who was a drug and alcohol addict for 20 years before quitting a few years ago. Of course, he also brings the harmonica back and that gets bonus point from me.
Zakk Wylde does a good job on the guitar. He pulls off the same solos he has been doing for 15 years, but he also changes it up a bit at times, with some middle-eastern sounding solos and some interesting riffs.
Rob “Blasko” Nicholson is really the standout musician, other than Zakk, on Black Rain. It is nice to see Ozzy allowing a new bassist to put his mark on the music by putting him in front of the mix and letting him pull a few licks out here and there. For those not aware, “Blasko” played for Rob Zombie before joining Ozzy Osbourne. Mike Bordin does a admirable job on the drums. He is able to keep the rhythm going and even gets in a few good fills in as well, especially on the last track.
Ozzy Osbourne comes back after six years to deliver on some of his promise. Some songs could’ve been on No More Tears especially “The Almighty Dollar.” There is no doubt that this is Ozzy’s best album, in my opinion, since No More Tears. Yes, it is overproduced and too clean for my taste, but unlike Down to Earth,Black Rain has good songwriting, thanks to having Zakk Wylde have more of a hand in writing music. This is not Ozzy’s best album ever, nor will is be the best album of the year. However, it is a good effort from the “Prince of Darkness” and hopefully, Ozzy will not wait another six years to produce another quality studio album.
The 411: Ozzy Osbourne returns to deliver another solid effort. Improving on Down to Earth,Black Rain shows Ozzy sounding more energized than he has been in over ten years. The songwriting is top-notch and the band is firing on all cylinders musically. There are too many ballads and the production is too clean and too many studio effects are used at times, but the album is the best possible piece of music that could of came from Ozzy Osbourne.
