Ozzy Osbourne - No Rest For The Wicked

[benson111]

Band - Ozzy ( Prince of Darkness ) Osbourne

Album - No Rest for the Wicked

Genre - Heavy Metal

Label - Epic

Official stuff - www.ozzy.com

No Rest for the Wicked is the fifth studio album by Ozzy Osbourne. It was released on October 22, 1988 and was re-issued / remastered on August 22, 1995 and again on June 25, 2002. The album was certified gold in December 1989 and has since gone double platinum. No Rest for the Wicked is the first album to feature Zakk Wylde on guitar.

"Miracle Man" is about the Reverend Jimmy Swaggart's 1988 prostitution scandal and the general hypocrisy, in Osbourne's eyes, of "televangelists". In the video for the song Zakk Wylde wears a mask with the likeness of Swaggart and Ozzy cavorts with swine, his pants around his ankles, carrying around a large staff decorated with a dollar sign.

"Bloodbath in Paradise" is about the Tate/LeBianca murders by The Manson Family, although it is stated by Phil Alexander, Editor-In-Chief of Kerrang! Magazine that it is about the Vietnam war in the 2002 remaster booklet, even though the song clearly is about the Manson Family (lyrics like "YOUR COMIN' HOME - THERE'S BLOOD ON THE WALLS AND CHARLIE / AND THE FAMILY MADE HOUSE CALLS.")

"Demon Alcohol" is about the dangers of alcohol, much like "Suicide Solution" from Blizzard of Ozz.
Tracks like, "Fire in the Sky", "Hero", and "Tattooed Dancer", really show the epic side of musical creation, and are to me some of the best overall songs by Ozzy. Some will tend to disagree with me on that, and that is cool, but you should really listen to them to gain a perspective on how truly great the writing is. Zakk's guitar work on these tracks are of the once in a lifetime riffs, the kind that most guitarists dream of creating. The solo's are just fantastic, and overwhelming at times.

"Crazy Babies", and "Breaking all the Rules" speaks of the generation at the time the album was released, and really connects Ozzy to the time.
Next to Randy Rhodes, I feel that Zakk Wylde, is the best Guitarist that Oz has had in his many lineups over the years. This being Zakk's debut with Oz was in no way a let down, and really thrust him into the limelight, creating a sound that is very "Unique" and Zakk's alone.

The re-release produced a bonus track as well. "Liar". Personally, this doesn't fit overall with this album. Thats not to say that it isn't a good track. It is indeed good, but would fit better on "Bark at the Moon, because the vocal recordings are better suited for that style,.... in my opinion of course.

"Miracle Man" - 3:43
http://free.napster.com/player/?play...837&type=track
"Devil's Daughter (Holy War)" - 5:14
http://free.napster.com/player/?play...838&type=track
"Crazy Babies" - 4:14
http://free.napster.com/player/?play...839&type=track
"Breaking All the Rules" - 5:14
http://free.napster.com/player/?play...840&type=track
"Bloodbath in Paradise" - 5:02
http://free.napster.com/player/?play...841&type=track
"Fire in the Sky" - 6:24
http://free.napster.com/player/?play...842&type=track
"Tattooed Dancer" - 3:23
http://free.napster.com/player/?play...843&type=track
"Demon Alcohol" - 4:27
http://free.napster.com/player/?play...844&type=track
"Hero" - 4:45
http://free.napster.com/player/?play...845&type=track
"Liar"
http://free.napster.com/player/?play...880&type=track

[benson111]

I'm really surprised this album isnt getting much love.

[BrynCamaro]

This is one of my favorite hard rock/metal albums. When Zakk Wylde first appeared, he blew everyone's mind. Plus, he was something like 19 years old.

I love the "Miracle man" solo.

[benson111]

Originally Posted by BrynCamaro

This is one of my favorite hard rock/metal albums. When Zakk Wylde first appeared, he blew everyone's mind. Plus, he was something like 19 years old.

I love the "Miracle man" solo.

Agreed. I also think Demon Alcohol has a great solo as well.

[AxlVanHagar]

Originally Posted by benson111

Next to Randy Rhodes, I feel that Zakk Wylde, is the best Guitarist that Oz has had in his many lineups over the years. This being Zakk's debut with Oz was in no way a let down, and really thrust him into the limelight, creating a sound that is very "Unique" and Zakk's alone.

I very much felt the same way when this album came out. As time has gone on Zakk has become self parody and extremely boring and predictable. You can set you watch to his artificial harmonics. He really showed promise on this but he peaked with his solo on No More Tears , it was all downhill after that. I think as history continues to unfold Zakk will continue to fade with fans while the under appreciated Jake E. Lee will come to the forefront.

No Rest For The Wicked is a fine album though. I can clearly remember driving around having that thing cranked on the tape deck. All very strong tracks with pretty much no clunkers to be found and it holds up quite well after all these years. Definitely one of Ozzy's best solo efforts.

[King_Nuthin]

Originally Posted by AxlVanHagar

I very much felt the same way when this album came out. As time has gone on Zakk has become self parody and extremely boring and predictable. You can set you watch to his artificial harmonics. He really showed promise on this but he peaked with his solo on No More Tears , it was all downhill after that. I think as history continues to unfold Zakk will continue to fade with fans while the under appreciated Jake E. Lee will come to the forefront.

No Rest For The Wicked is a fine album though. I can clearly remember driving around having that thing cranked on the tape deck. All very strong tracks with pretty much no clunkers to be found and it holds up quite well after all these years. Definitely one of Ozzy's best solo efforts.

I agree with this assessment. I was a few years from driving when it came out but I played the hell out of it and the riff from Bloodbath on my guitar a million times. Caught this tour at least twice (Vixen - one of the few times I actually walked out on an act and hung out in the halls of the arena). I thought Zakk was awesome at the time, but he began to bore me soon after (word on the pinch harmonics, they do not make a full career's worth of music). I was pretty disappointed with No More Tears so this was the last good Ozzy album for me, and over time I guess I have lost appreciation for it even though I loved it when it came out.

[Paperdice]

never been a big fan of his ...

[benson111]

Originally Posted by Paperdice

never been a big fan of his ...

Your loss.

[Zenweaponry]

Nice listing.

[uncensord]

the reason why the post isn't that hot's because you just murdered the debate over "Greatest Ozzy Album"