Down To Earth

The first studio album for six years from the grand old gentleman of metal finds him in fine form. Osbourne is not afraid to get sentimental with a touchingly reflective mood on songs like the opening single ‘Get Me Through’, as Ozzy sings "I’m not the kind of person you think I am/I’m not the Antichrist or the iron man," referencing an old Black Sabbath song while presenting an open message of gratitude to fans who have kept the faith.

After thirty years in the business, our Oz has adapted his style somewhat to suit modern tastes. There are a couple of slower numbers like the Beatlesy interlude of ‘You Know..’ and the heartfelt ‘Dreamer’, which aims to echo Lennon in the piano and guitar style, but ends up having more than a touch of the Robbie Williams about it. But while the ballads aren’t half bad, the album consists mainly of satisfyingly solid rock anthems – ‘No Easy Way Out’ and ‘Running Out Of Time’ are five minute epics, the latter co-written by Mick Jones of Foreigner fame (and it sounds it).

Ozzy’s vocals are great, not too histrionic, but hitting full throttle when needs be, and ZakkWylde’s elaborate guitar solos are subtly held down in the mix by producer Tim Palmer – quite a classy decision, but one that might annoy the hardcore air-guitarists out there.

Down to Earth is a welcome return from the Ozzman, and demonstrates how easy it is for him to show his vulnerable side while still rocking like an absolute mother. Fucking legend.