### Ozzy Osbourne: No rest for the wicked

#### 17/09/10 || sly

The year was 1988; Ozzy Osbourne’s solo career (unmerited as it may have been) was well recognized. His stardom was huge, but the previous album had suffered from some less than satisfactory reviews, and this one was his make or break shot.

Former guitarist Jake E. Lee had left the building (and went on to form the unremembered Badlands), and Ozzy brought in a fresh character, Zakk Wylde.

Wylde, who would be a staple for the next two decades, contributed a youthful vibrance, a dose of craziness, and a dangerous edge that was necessary to the band. (Mind you, this was before he became the big-bearded, beer-swilling buffoon now known as “Zakk Mylde”.)

The stars seemed to align for No Rest For the Wicked. From the creepy cover (where he really looks like The Prince of Darkness), to the excellent production, to the first-rate songs (mostly written by Daisley and Wylde), everything was perfect. Ole Geezer even joined up for the tour! Hell, all Ozzy had to do was come in and hum a few melodies.

The classic Ozzy Osbourne style is maintained. As usual, Daisley rocks the bass and delivers some fine lyrics. Castillo’s skillful straightforward drumming doesn’t miss a beat. Wylde’s presence provides a fresh feel. And Ozzy’s voice is not yet degenerating.

Some opinions would suggest that this may have been the last good Ozzy Osbourne album. Every song is meat and potatoes; no filler tracks. Even “Crazy Babies”, which is kind of crappy, still fits the album in a strange way. You simply can’t lose with “Miracle Man”, “Breaking All the Rules”, “Devil’s Daughter” (I still maintain he’s singing “devil’s doughnut”), or “Demon Alcohol”.

This was the release that really propelled Ozzy’s reputation from “lazy drunk” to “superstar”, but also became the one he would never top.

With this album, Ozzy Osbourne’s sound seemed to shift into something just a trifle more American-like. And after the release of No More Tears, specifically “Mama, I’m Coming Home” (you know, the one that your mom liked), he officially became a god to the midwesterners, and to white trash America in general.

No Rest For the Wicked was fated to become a crossroads album, for subsequent work proved that the Sabbath days were long gone, and 90’s Ozzy was quickly overtaking 80’s Ozzy. After this, the music would morph into a genre aptly called “Ozzy lite“, the musical equivalent of a 24-pack of low-carb beer.

- Information
- Released: 1988
- Label: CBS/Epic
- Website: www.ozzy.com
- Band
- Oldy Oldbourne: vocals
- Zakk “Not So” Wylde: guitar
- Bob Daisley: bass
- John Sinclair: keyboards
- Randy Castillo: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Miracle Man
- 02. Devil’s Daughter (Holy War)
- 03. Crazy Babies
- 04. Breaking All the Rules
- 05. Bloodbath in Paradise
- 06. Fire in the Sky
- 07. Tattooed Dancer
- 08. Demon Alcohol
- 09. Hero
- Crappy Bonus Tracks
- 10. The Liar
- 11. Miracle Man (Live)