Ozzy Osbourne - Black Rain
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On May 22, 2007 Ozzy Osbourne released his tenth studio album "Black Rain".
This album marked Ozzy's return to all-new solo material after six years and it finds the Prince of Darkness navigating modern metal trends while holding onto his signature style.
With "Black Rain" Ozzy went darker and heavier than "Down to Earth" released in 2001. "Black Rain" sits at the intersection of traditional heavy metal, groove metal, and modern hard rock—with hints of industrial and post-grunge. Once again, it sees Ozzy teaming up with longtime collaborator Zakk Wylde, whose guitar work dominates the record with a mix of detuned riffing, squealing pinch harmonics, and bluesy solo flourishes.
The album kicks off with "Not Going Away", a mid-tempo metal anthem layered with heavy palm-muted guitars and a pounding rhythm section. Wylde’s guitar tone is saturated and aggressive, giving the song a dense, industrial feel that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Drummer Mike Bordin (ex-"Faith No More") lays down a thunderous, mechanical groove that complements the song’s no-nonsense defiance.
"I Don’t Wanna Stop" is arguably the album’s standout track. It rides on a syncopated main riff with a slight nu-metal influence—tight, chunky, and rhythm-driven. The chorus opens up into a more classic Ozzy hook, with synths subtly supporting the melody in the second half of the song. Wylde’s solo here is sharp and concise, using controlled bends and fast alternate picking to keep the intensity high without drifting into excess.
"Black Rain", the title track, is one of the album’s darkest moments—built around a haunting minor-key riff that borders on doom metal. The song’s slow, sludgy progression is enhanced by atmospheric keyboards and subtle effects and Ozzy's harmonica playing, creating an almost apocalyptic soundscape. The rhythm section is particularly effective here, using space and restraint to build tension.
On the softer end, "Lay Your World on Me" tries to emulate the emotional weight of earlier Ozzy ballads, though the track feels somewhat overproduced and doesn’t quite hit the emotional crescendo of, say, “Mama, I’m Coming Home”. Similarly, “Here for You,” fall into formulaic patterns, with over-polished production occasionally muting the rawness that defined Ozzy’s earlier work.
"The Almighty Dollar" begins with a bass-driven intro that we didn't heard in Ozzy's albums since "No More Tears" — before launching into a groove-metal stomp with socio-political lyrics. The song merges elements of "Alice in Chains"-style grunge with "Black Sabbath" heaviness, and Wylde alternates between wah-drenched fills and grinding low-end riffs.
"Civilize the Universe" is a return to fast-paced riffage with chugging verses and an epic, almost cinematic chorus. The guitar work is reminiscent of "No Rest for the Wicked"-era, but with more modern production—tight, loud, and compressed.
While the songwriting can feel formulaic at times, the instrumentation throughout "Black Rain" is tight, heavy, and expertly performed. Wylde's guitar tone is consistently brutal, often stealing the show, and Bordin’s drumming brings a hard-hitting precision that locks in well with bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson's low-end punch.
"Black Rain" is a musically solid if somewhat uneven album that benefits immensely from Zakk Wylde’s commanding guitar work and a heavy, modern production style. While not groundbreaking, it delivers enough metal muscle and dark mood to satisfy fans of Ozzy’s heavier side.
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music