"Scream" CD by Ozzy Osbourne

by Dom Lawson (05.07.2010) The majority of right-thinking metalheads will want to know two things about the new Ozzy Osbourne album: firstly, is it any good? And secondly, how does new lead guitarist Gus G compare to The Double-O’s previous right-hand men? The first question is easy to deal with. Scream is easily the best thing that Ozzy has done since No More Tears back in 1991. Heavier, sharper and more musically adventurous than anything he’s done since that flawless opening brace of solo albums, it drives a flaming fist into the sneering faces of those who think that this living legend has nothing left to contribute. Ranging from thrillingly direct made-for-stadiums anthems like Let Me Hear You Scream and Crucify to deceptively multi-tempo epics like opener Let It Die and the crushing Diggin’ Me Down, Scream bulges with ideas and, perhaps most surprisingly, energy. Ozzy’s voice is in great shape, and a gleaming, state-of-the-art production gives him the perfect backdrop to do his trademark thing with unprecedented verve. Even the softer moments – the breezy Life Won’t Wait and brooding ballad Time – have grit and edge in plentiful supply. Meanwhile, although Zakk Wylde’s presence still lurks in many of the riffs, Gus G has stamped his personality all over this record, serving up countless blazing leads and bringing a welcome dose of strongly European flair to what is a gloriously bombastic and joyous return to top form by one of metal’s true untouchables.