Album: Blizzard of Ozz
Artist: Ozzy Osbourne
Country of Origin: UK
Genre: Heavy Metal / Hard Rock
Released: September 20, 1980
Label: Jet Records
Purchase: Here *remaster expanded edition by Sony in 2011*
1."I Don't Know" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)
2."Crazy Train" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)
3."Goodbye to Romance" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)
4."Dee" (Instrumental) (Rhoads)
5."Suicide Solution" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)
6."Mr. Crowley" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)
7."No Bone Movies" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley, Lee Kerslake)
8."Revelation (Mother Earth)" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)
9."Steal Away (The Night)" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)
Personnel:
•Ozzy Osbourne - Vocals, Harmony Vocals, Producer
•Randy Rhoads - Guitar, Producer
•Bob Daisley - Bass, Gong, backing vocals, Harmony Vocals, Producer
•Lee Kerslake - Drums, percussion, Bells, Timpani, Producer
•Don Airey - Keyboards
After living life on the edge and having problems with addictions, Ozzy Osbourne was dismissed from Black Sabbath in 1979 and began his solo career. Ozzy hooked up with Randy Rhoads, a then fairly unknown guitarist /songwriter who had been playing with Quiet Riot, and Metal history began. At the time of this album’s release, it was not received well by critics or fans. A lot of controversy surrounded the lyrics of “Suicide Solution”, with claims the lyrics encouraged suicidal behaviors in fans. Also evident on this album is Ozzy’s obsession with dark subject matter, which seems to be nothing more than his personality evolving, and continues throughout Ozzy’s solo career, giving him the title “ Prince of Darkness”. Rhoads himself is able to take his guitar work to the side of sinister, and infuse the darkness with classical (which is Rhoads obsession), and the end results of these two musicians is metal masterpieces.
Blizzard of Ozz is the album which launched Ozzy Osbourne into metal history. The album is surprisingly melodic, with outstanding solos from Rhoads. Rhoads classical influence is evident in the song “Dee” and he adds a special melodic touch to the ballad “Goodbye to Romance”. The songs “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley” remain two of the most recognized metal songs of today. Add to the mix the rhythm section of Daisley and Kerslake, whom work in unison with Ozzy and his nasal vocal style, which gave Ozzy the opportunity to really blossom as a vocalist.
This album made Ozzy famous and gained well deserved exposure and respect for Randy Rhoads. No classic metal music collection should be without this album.
I give this album a full five skull rating!
Artist: Ozzy Osbourne
Country of Origin: UK
Genre: Heavy Metal / Hard Rock
Released: September 20, 1980
Label: Jet Records
Purchase: Here *remaster expanded edition by Sony in 2011*
1."I Don't Know" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)
2."Crazy Train" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)
3."Goodbye to Romance" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)
4."Dee" (Instrumental) (Rhoads)
5."Suicide Solution" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)
6."Mr. Crowley" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)
7."No Bone Movies" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley, Lee Kerslake)
8."Revelation (Mother Earth)" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)
9."Steal Away (The Night)" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)
Personnel:
•Ozzy Osbourne - Vocals, Harmony Vocals, Producer
•Randy Rhoads - Guitar, Producer
•Bob Daisley - Bass, Gong, backing vocals, Harmony Vocals, Producer
•Lee Kerslake - Drums, percussion, Bells, Timpani, Producer
•Don Airey - Keyboards
After living life on the edge and having problems with addictions, Ozzy Osbourne was dismissed from Black Sabbath in 1979 and began his solo career. Ozzy hooked up with Randy Rhoads, a then fairly unknown guitarist /songwriter who had been playing with Quiet Riot, and Metal history began. At the time of this album’s release, it was not received well by critics or fans. A lot of controversy surrounded the lyrics of “Suicide Solution”, with claims the lyrics encouraged suicidal behaviors in fans. Also evident on this album is Ozzy’s obsession with dark subject matter, which seems to be nothing more than his personality evolving, and continues throughout Ozzy’s solo career, giving him the title “ Prince of Darkness”. Rhoads himself is able to take his guitar work to the side of sinister, and infuse the darkness with classical (which is Rhoads obsession), and the end results of these two musicians is metal masterpieces.
Blizzard of Ozz is the album which launched Ozzy Osbourne into metal history. The album is surprisingly melodic, with outstanding solos from Rhoads. Rhoads classical influence is evident in the song “Dee” and he adds a special melodic touch to the ballad “Goodbye to Romance”. The songs “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley” remain two of the most recognized metal songs of today. Add to the mix the rhythm section of Daisley and Kerslake, whom work in unison with Ozzy and his nasal vocal style, which gave Ozzy the opportunity to really blossom as a vocalist.
This album made Ozzy famous and gained well deserved exposure and respect for Randy Rhoads. No classic metal music collection should be without this album.
I give this album a full five skull rating!
