“Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Scream’ is best since ‘No More Tears.’” – Music Review

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Ozzy Osbourne is back with his follow up to "Black Rain" entitled "Scream." He also has a new book out called "I am Ozzy" (review to come later…I'm a slow reader). A lot has gone on in camp Osbourne over the last year. Long time guitarist Zakk Wylde was relieved of his guitar duties. Everybody wants to find some sort of controversy in it, but both Wylde and Ozzy seem cool with each other so I don't know what the big deal is. Ozzy brought Gus G from the band Firewind. I am a huge Zakk Wydle fan, but Gus G brings a fresh sound to the band (even though all of the songs were written before he even joined the band). In Ozzy's defense "Black Rain" was a Zakk Wylde album not an Ozzy album (at least it sounded that way to me). Zakk carried that album (or held Ozzy back; however you want to look at it). It sounded like Black Label Society with Ozzy singing on it.

 

Even though all the songs were written pre Gus G, he definitely brings something to the songs that give them life. The chords to the songs were written, but the solos are Gus's solos and even though the chords were written before he joined the band, Gus still had to play them with his own style and I'm sure he tweaked riffs to make them better. Gus makes everything sound fresh on "Scream."

 

The perfect example is the guitar solo for the first single off "Scream" entitled "Let Me Hear You Scream." The guitar solo is completely original compared to Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee or Zakk Wylde. G keeps their influence alive while bringing his own flair and it really seemed to light a fire under Ozzy's ass. It reminds me of what happened to Metallica with their latest effort "Death Magnetic." There's a new energy in Ozzy's sound and it has to be credited to the new ingredient, Gus G.

 

Initially the album was going to be entitled "Soul Sucka," but Ozzy's fans went nuts saying that it sounded like a hip hop title. Ozzy promptly renamed the song "Soul Sucker" and decided to call the album "Scream." What I like best about this album are the bridges in the songs. It almost reminds me of Black Sabbath, the songs are much more progressive than Ozzy has been in his solo career. The middle sections are so full of energy that they keep the sound fresh.

 

 

 

The first three songs on the album, "Let it Die," "Let Me Hear You Scream," and "Soul Sucker" are a kick in the face with heavy riffs. Ozzy could easily open his show with these three songs and the crowd would not be disappointed. On the fourth song "Life Won't Wait," Ozzy and company slow it down, but not too far. "Life Won't Wait" is probably not a hit, but it's an awesome song. It's one of those deep cuts on an album that you end up liking more than the hits.

 

"Diggin' Me Down" is the fifth track on the album and probably my favorite song. It continues the slow sound (for awhile). Gus G plays a very musical opening. Then he starts strumming his acoustic guitar four strums at a time - it has a very eerie sound to it - then he kicks into the biggest, heaviest riff on the album. "Diggin' Me Down" is a full out heavy metal song. Lyrically the song asks Jesus when he's going to come back, if he's going to come back at all, with the lyric "Come on Jesus, don't keep us waiting just for you." The song is made up of all sorts of different sections much like a Black Sabbath song (such as War Pigs), which is what I love about it. When the song's not heavy it's slow and dark, when it's not slow and dark it's bone crushingly heavy.

 

The ballad on the album is "Time" and it's not one of those cheesy ballads ("Dreamer" anybody? I like that song, but it is kind of over the top). It's an all around solid song with a great guitar solo toward the end. Former Rob Zombie bassist Blasko's bass line really carries the song early on as well as Adam Wakeman's keyboards.

 

My favorite riff on the album belongs to "I want it More." The opening riff kicks ass as does the riff over the first verse. The chorus is a huge epic type chorus. The main riff almost reminds me of the Audioslave song "Cochise," but is used completely different. While the chorus is big and memorable I'd have to say it's the weakest part of the song, because the main riff and the verse riff are so great and the guitar solo near the end of the song maybe the best solo on the entire album. Toward the end of the song Adam Wakeman plays a beautiful little piano piece only to jump right back into the awesome riff that is played over the verse. It's a great song.

 

The album ends with a nice little one minute song with some creepy keyboard and guitar playing while Ozzy professes his love to his fans and everyone that stood by him over the years. Hands down it is the best Ozzy album since "No More Tears." Gus G as well as Ozzy and the rest of the band should be proud. Like Metallica a couple of years ago there seems to be a new energy around Ozzy Osbourne with "Scream." I definitely recommend picking it up, especially if you love Ozzy.

 

BYLINE:

Bob Zerull is the Managing Editor of Zoiks! Online. He writes pop culture commentary, does interviews with bands, and reviews music and stand-up concerts. He also administers Zoiks! Online's Facebook page. Follow Bob on twitter at bzerull. Email Bob at bob@zoiksonline.com.

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