OZZY OSBOURNE — No Rest For The Wicked (review)

OZZY OSBOURNE — No Rest For The Wicked album cover Album · 1988 · Heavy Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Negoba
Another New Kid, This Time a Keeper

Following Ultimate Sin, Ozzy (or maybe Sharon) unloaded guitarist Jake E. Lee for reasons that are still unclear. Perhaps he was too moody, perhaps he was too pretty, who knows. But once again, the coveted slot was open again. Reportedly, Ozzy took a more active role this time and ended up with a youngster who would remain with him for several decades.

Zakk Wylde was a skinny Ozzy worshipper who had a Randy Rhoads Les Paul in his promo shot and had already memorized all of Ozzy's material. Ozzy reportedly passed on him as a clone at first, but eventually tapped the 19 year old for his band. Clearly, Zakk was giddy. His enthusiasm burst out of the album, and onstage. (This tour was one of my first.)

No Rest For the Wicked gets forgotten sometimes, but it's actually my favorite Zakk album. Unlike Lee, Wylde's tone is enormous. His riffs are crushing, heavier than anything Ozzy had recorded since Sabbath. The guitars on "Crazy Babies" are bludgeoning hammers. Zakk's trademark pinch harmonics and 9 mile wide vibrato sound like a dragon about to crush you in its steel trap. (Hey maybe they should make a movie about that)

All the songs are a bit nastier than on the Ultimate Sin, with "Miracle Man," "Fire in the Sky," and "Demon Alcohol" all being favorites of mine.

Bottom Line: Great, though sometimes forgotten, Ozzy Album
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