Ozzy Osbourne - Scream (4.5/5)

01. Let it Die 06:05 02. Let Me Hear You Scream 03:25 03. Soul Sucker 04:34 04. Life Won’t Wait 05:06 05. Diggin’ Me Down 06:03 06. Crucify 03:29 07. Fearless 03:41 08. Time 05:31 09. I Want More 05:36 10. Latimer’s Mercy 04:27 11. I Love You All 01:04

The Prince of Darkness is back once more with an album which blows the previous one out of the water. Yet another hard rocking, ball breaking, classic Ozzy album to add to the top of the heavy metal pile. With every album Ozzy brings out comes something new and unique, what better way to carry on the tradition by introducing a new guitarist to the band. Lady’s and gentlemen please may I introduce you to Gus G. The man, who made ‘Scream’ so heavy and shredding, it puts this album into a league of its own. Prepare for a blast from the past as Ozzy is back with a fast paced, crushing album that takes us back to early Randy Rhoads era material. Hell yeah!

Firstly a bit about Mr G, well he is part of our editor’s favourite band ‘Firewind’. We haven’t seen a lot from that band for the past 2 years as he has been touring with Ozzy and writing material with him. He took over from Zakk Wylde, who wasn’t a very happy bunny when he knew Gus G was replacing him. He also has his own signature ESP model of guitar and directs music videos. Well what do you know; he does a hell of a lot of stuff. Now, on with the album.

In my eyes ‘Scream’ has to be the best comeback from a classic metal artist since Kiss’s ‘Sonic Boom’. It’s got everything on there minus his holiness, the mighty Randy Rhoads (R.I.P). You’ve got tremendous sing along choruses on tracks like ‘Let it die’, ‘Let me hear you scream’, ‘Soul Sucker’, and ‘Fearless’. There are also a couple more melodic ballad style tunes like ‘Life won’t wait’ and ‘Diggin’ me down’. Basically Ozzy has looked over what the fans want and has condensed their favourites into one fantastic record.

My only worry with this album is the single leaked to promote it. ‘Let me hear you scream’ is good and all but it doesn’t grasp the listener like for example ‘Let it die’ does. From the moment you put the album on you notice a comparison to classic metal bands like AC/DC and Metallica. But most of all I can hear a very slight hint of early Black Sabbath sounding material. Scream definitely sounds like all these bands mashed together and to add to the side a bit of the Prince of Fucking Darkness’s own special magic.

So if you’re a fan of Ozzy, buy this album. If you’re a fan of metal, buy this album. Most of all if you’re a lover of music, go out and buy Ozzy’s best album to date. The amazing Scream!

Scream is available to buy or >download at Play.com

Genre : Metal

Article by Matt Seddon