If anybody’s likely to benefit from the rehabilitation of metal it might as well be the similarly-rehabbed Ozzy. This is his first studio outing in six years, and his first time to record an album sober. It also benefits from the compositional input of Zakk Wylde who shares credits with the Oz and Kevin Churko, and delivers some demented riffs and solos as required. Lyrically, there’s more relevant political comment than you’d expect.
‘Not Going Away’ is a relentless opener, a two-fingered teeth-rattling metallic assault on his naysayers, complete with Ozzy’s trademark primal howls and thundering riffs, and a widdly solo getting full value from the whammy bar. The album’s trailer single ‘I Don’t Wanna Stop’ sticks its similarly unapologetic tongue out and has catchy hooks. ‘Black Rain’ is less predictable, featuring a didgeridoo, a harmonica, topical anti-war lyrics and subtle musical references to the Middle East. ‘Lay Your World On Me’ is a fine ballad with a spot-on chorus.
The lengthy anti-greed song ‘The Almighty Dollar’ has a fetching groove with Ozzy in menacing form, if a little unconvincingly, and more middle-eastern flavour. ‘11 Silver’ is speed-heavy and showcases Wylde at his most ultra-frenetic. ‘Civilize The Universe’ slows down the momentum to attack the evils of religion, ‘Here For You’ is a ballad about Sharon’s illness, while 'Countdown’s Begun' is a downer slowie until ‘Trap Door’ builds to a superb climax.
All told, this is a remarkable return to form from a man who should be dead.