Ozzy Osbourne – Scream
Epic Records
www.ozzy.com

Rating: B 

Ozzy is back with an album of bang your head metal that will make you forget the last several albums he has made and return you to the days of Ozzmosis.  Not since No More Tears has the Prince of Darkness rocked this hard and heavy.  And, he has done it without Zakk Wylde!  Ozzy and Zakk split ways and the new axe master is a cat named Gus G.  While Gus never comes out with full on assaults, as Zakk would have, there are plenty of jaw-dropping solos.  Drummer Tommy Clufetos is also new to the mix proving his is Ozzy’s best drummer EVER – and that list includes guys like Lee Kerslake and Tommy Aldridge.   

The album starts off with “Let It Die” and Ozzy wastes no time bashing your skull in.  “Let Me Hear You Scream” and “Soul Sucker” both feature wicked, distorted riffs and Ozzy’s trademark vocals, begging one to crank it up.  “Diggin’ Me Down” and “Crucify” continue the Ozzy tradition of bashing organized religion while “Latimer’s Mercy” tells a horrifying tale.  “I Want It More” is one of the top rockers on the disc.   

At the end of the day, The Ozzman has not released a CD this exciting in years.  Vocally, he sounds great and musically the band is technically brilliant.  If it possible, Ozzy may be having yet another career rebirth.  

-          Jeb Wright