The one thing fans will immediately notice about Ozzy Osbourne’s forthcoming LP Black Rain is that it’s drenched in some of the heaviest riffage to grace one of the Prince of Darkness’ solo outings – thanks, in large part, to Ozzy’s longtime guitarist, the Jack Daniel’s-chugging Zakk Wylde. According to Osbourne, there were times during the tracking of the album when he wondered whether the songs were too abrasive. But you see, Ozzy’s got this personal rule about making music. “If you’re heavy, don’t try to be f—ing light,” he explained. Wise words from a man whose stamp on the… Read more »
British heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath will reunite for the first time since 2001 for Ozzfest, which begins July 10 in Hartford, Conn., a spokeswoman for the annual road show said on Tuesday. Ozzfest co-founder and headliner Ozzy Osbourne will revisit such hard rocking classics as “War Pigs” and “Paranoid” along with guitarist Tony Iommi and bass player Geezer Butler. But original drummer Bill Ward will be replaced by Mike Bordin, who backs Osbourne on his solo gigs. Along with three-quarters of the original Black Sabbath, Ozzfest will also feature four-fifths of the original Judas Priest, and such acts as… Read more »
Longtime bassist Piggy D. announced that he’s officially parted ways with Rob Zombie and co. In the wake of his absence, the original member of the lineup, Rob “Blasko” Nicholson, rejoins the outfit. Blasko left in 2006, with Piggy D. replacing him, when he linked up with Ozzy Osbourne’s ensemble. Nicholson will continue with Osbourne and Zombie. “After 18 years, I am thrilled to announce that Blasko has returned,” Zombie wrote on his Instagram. “The four-string Zombie monster is back. Get ready for a crazy summer of mayhem.” The recent departure of Piggy D. came as a surprise to fans.… Read more »
This week Jeff also spoke with Jordan from Them Evils about Zakk Wylde taking them on tour, working with the late Kato Khandwala who produced “Rollin’ Stoned and Livin ‘ Free” and dates on rocks largest festivals!
The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 2024 Induction ceremony is going to be a night to remember. Taking place in Cleveland on Saturday, October 19, viewers around the world can watch it on Disney+ beginning at 7 PM EST. The show includes the inductions of Cher and Foreigner to Ozzy Osbourne, A Tribe Called Quest, and more. In fact, The Hall Of Fame announced that a very special guest will be helping honor Ozzy Osbourne: comedian and musician Jack Black. And that’s not all! Billy Idol, Jelly Roll, Zakk Wylde, Metallica‘s Robert Trujillo, Wolfgang Van Halen, the Red Hot Chili… Read more »
After weeks of speculation about who would be sharing the Ozzfest stage this summer with Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Shadows Fall and Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society, the big secret’s finally out: Heavy metal quartet Mudvayne have been named the final mainstage act. A photo of the band was posted Monday morning (April 4) on the Ozzfest 2005 Web site, replacing the ominous band silhouette and large white question mark that appeared in that mystery spot ever since the roster was announced just a few weeks ago. There had been much speculation since the initial Ozzfest 2005 announcement concerning who… Read more »
The annual three-ring circus that is Ozzfest has become a perennial summer celebration of all things loud and abrasive over the last decade – and this summer’s lineup will not disappoint. Black Sabbath and British metal stalwarts Iron Maiden – who will be playing material exclusively from their first four albums – will share headlining duties, and they’ll be joined for the 26-city ride by Rob Zombie and a host of young metal bands, starting on July 15. Along with Sabbath, Maiden and Zombie, the main stage will also include Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall and Ozzfest regulars Zakk Wylde’s Black… Read more »
Zakk Wylde tasted instant success when he became Ozzy Osbourne’s guitar player at age 20, but now he’s steadily coming out of his mentor’s shadow to ride the resurgence of heavy metal as a band leader. His group, Black Label Society, has been building a dedicated following around the United States, releasing four studio albums of aggressive guitars and raw vocals. The band’s first DVD, “Boozed, Broozed & Broken-Boned,” a performance filmed in Detroit last year, reached No. 3 on Billboard magazine’s music video chart in late August, behind Led Zeppelin and the Eagles. “With Black Label I get to… Read more »
When Ozzy Osbourne was chiefly known in middle America for decapitating winged creatures and urinating on the Alamo, he and his annual hard rock hoedown were greeted with protests, boycotts and prayer meetings. But, oh, what a difference a year makes. The former most-feared man in rock has now become its most beloved father figure, courtesy of the rib-tickling warts-and-all series “The Osbournes.” So as he returns to the road for the first time since becoming the toast of prime time, Ozzy and Ozzfest 2002 are being greeted not with protests but with open arms, and at least a few… Read more »
Even if he doesn’t ever say, “This is the first song off our new album” in concert, believe it or not, Ozzy Osbourne still has something in common with Robin Zander. Like Zander’s Cheap Trick before him, Osbourne recorded his performance at Tokyo’s Budokan Arena and will title the resulting live LP Live at the Budokan (though Cheap Trick’s legendary 1979 release was titled Live at Budokan, for those scoring at home). The 13-track album, boosted with bonus CD-ROM video footage, is due June 25, according to Osbourne’s Web site. A home video, issued on both VHS and DVD formats,… Read more »
