Ozzy Osbourne
– Blizzard Of Ozz
Dismissed, written off, left for dead—Ozzy Osbourne was supposed to be finished after Black Sabbath kicked him to the curb. Instead, he came roaring back with Blizzard of Ozz, a debut solo album that didn’t just resurrect his career but set fire to the entire metal landscape. And at the center of it all was a wild-eyed, bat-biting madman fronting a band that was tighter, sharper, and more explosive than anything he’d ever been part of before.
Much of the credit goes to Randy Rhoads, whose guitar work on this album is the stuff of legend. He wasn’t just fast—he was fluid, weaving classical influences into hard rock in ways that made everything sound fresh. His solos didn’t just shred; they soared, lifting Ozzy’s already unhinged vocals to another level. Add in Bob Daisley’s bass and Lee Kerslake’s drumming, and you had a band that made even Sabbath’s heaviest moments sound sluggish by comparison.
But Blizzard of Ozz isn’t just a technical showcase—it’s packed with songs that stick. Ozzy had always been a master of atmosphere, and this album proves he didn’t need Tony Iommi’s riff factory to conjure up pure heavy metal magic. Dark, melodic, and just unhinged enough to make you believe every word Ozzy sang, this wasn’t just a comeback—it was a statement.
Choice Tracks
Crazy Train
The riff that launched a thousand headbangers. That chugging, off-kilter intro. That iconic “ALL ABOARD!” scream. That solo, which still sends shivers down spines decades later. It’s more than just a metal anthem—it’s a blueprint for how to write a perfect hard rock song.
Mr. Crowley
Randy Rhoads at his most dramatic. The eerie, gothic organ intro sets the mood, but once that guitar kicks in, it’s game over. His solos are pure fireworks, and Ozzy’s vocal delivery is part sinister, part theatrical, like he’s personally summoning something from the abyss.
Goodbye to Romance
A curveball from the prince of darkness. Instead of doom and destruction, Ozzy delivers something introspective and almost tender. It’s a farewell to his past, wrapped in sweeping melodies and some of Rhoads’ most delicate playing.
Revelation (Mother Earth)
This is where the classical influence really shines. It starts off almost like a lullaby, with pianos and soft vocals, before exploding into a furious, galloping finale that showcases just how powerful this band could be. It’s one of the most ambitious songs Ozzy ever recorded.
I Don’t Know
A mission statement, plain and simple. The opening track kicks in with a riff that punches you in the face, Ozzy howling like a lunatic over Rhoads’ nimble fretwork. If you weren’t convinced Ozzy was back before, this was the track that settled it.
Blizzard of Ozz wasn’t just a great album—it was a rebirth. It took Ozzy from washed-up burnout to heavy metal king, proving that sometimes, getting kicked out of a band is the best thing that can happen to you. And with Randy Rhoads by his side, he wasn’t just back—he was unstoppable.