Inarguably, Ozzy Osbourne has become one of the living architects of Heavy Metal music considering his being the frontman of Black Sabbath; one of the oldest bands in the genre. Dubbed The Prince of Darkness, or simply known as Ozzy to many, he has also shown endurance, success, and longevity as a lone artist.
Born on December 3, 1948, in Marston Green, Warwickshire England, Osbourne has an impressive studio discography of nine albums with Black Sabbath and thirteen under his own name – ranging 1980’s Blizzard of Oz to the just-unleashed Patient Number 9.
Released on September 9, 2022, via Epic Records, Patient Number 9 is a relatively quick follow up to 2020’s ØRD†NARY MAN…considering 2010’s Scream came a decade prior to that. Produced once again by Andrew Watt, the album also features all-star-cast, so to speak.
Featuring thirteen songs in total, it starts with the massive, stage-ready title-track, featuring legendary Jeff Beck’s melodramatic guitar theatrics. Following next is something raw, dirty, grungy, yet still shiny and metallic “Immortal,” with the characteristic power strums and licks of Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready. The mood then shifts into the groove-oriented “Parasite”; this time showcasing Osbourne’s own, longtime guitarist, Zakk Wylde.
With the subtly progressive “No Escape from Now,” Osbourne then takes you to a more familiar ground; a throwback to the dark and ominous territory of his former band Black Sabbath, aptly guesting his Co-founder/Guitarist Tony Iommi himself. After this heavy stomper, Osbourne welcomes Eric Clapton to deliver the slow, bluesy, edgy “One of Those Days.” Thereafter another Beck track, the ensuing “A Thousand Shades” then continues the style and pace of the previous ballad.
Moving forward, three rockin’ Wylde pieces more and Iommi returns with the hard-hitting “Degradation Rules.” After a couple of darker tracks, Osbourne finally closes his latest masterpiece -which boasts of also Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction), Robert Trujillo (Metallica), Duff McKagan (Guns n’ Roses), Chris Chaney (Jane’s Addiction), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), and the late Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) – with the laid back, aptly titled “Darkside Blues.”
A fifty five year career with twenty-two albums, countless gigs, a string of chart-topping singles, numerous awards, and iconic status is not an ordinary feat. After all these years, Osbourne proves that he deserves not only the accolades but more so the adulation for his music. Patient Number 9 is another golden ring on his finger. The man may have been slowed down by his life’s challenges; but as an artist, his music is earthly eternal. All this said, Ozzy Osbourne is really alive and well, still rocking menacingly to his heart’s content. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Patient Number 9, 4 out of 5 stars.
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