Ray Davies is starting to sound a hell of a lot like Ozzy

This says it all:

And I happen to be a fan of both.

New Sabbath (+ Ozzy - Ward) live video released...

A bit boring <sarcasm> and those vocals are not overdubbed in the least </sarcasm> , but I am still happy to see the Ozzman cometh back with Iommer and Butler.  Would love to have seen this with Bill Ward, but 'll take what I can get.

Ozzy goes back in time to chat Vol. 4

First off, this is a great Ozzy Christmas photo:

Now, seeing as Black Sabbath's Vol. 4 is the best album to grace this fine earth, (in my humble opinion) what better gift to myself and every metalhead out there than a little behind the scenes action on the making of the album.  The Ozzman cameth to In The The Studio.net to chat with host Redbeard about the album that is widely considered Sabbath's last great album with the original lineup.  At the time, Sabbath had their own personal problems, not to mention the added complication of substantial substance abuse, but by his own admission, Ozzy admits what the real culprit of the band's eventual demise was- ego .

"What happened with me and Black Sabbath was that, in the beginning we all had a purpose, but as we went along that inevitable thing stepped in called ego. The fact is that success does change you.  It affected me. I was full of cocaine.  That stuff makes you talk the biggest load of horse crap.  There shouldn't be a problem (left) in the world, 'cause we solved them all in the bathroom of a hotel with a bag of that white powder."

Ozzy goes on to talk about his reasons for going solo- which don't include trouble with the band, but rather a desire to be able to voice his personal musical ideas, and his struggles with drugs and alcohol.  You can hear the full streaming interview with Ozzy here.

Just Because the Photo Is Awesome

Ozzy, Motley Crue, and Pete Way's Waysted.   This looks very fun.

Ozzy and Slash team up for a brief tour

Ozzy and Slash have quietly announced some tour dates together for the start of 2011.  Slash will open the show up playing an abbreviated set of his last solo tour that featured Myles Kennedy killing it behind the mic.   Never being an Alter Bridge fan myself, I was shocked after seeing him nail songs from GNR, Velvet Revolver, and Slash's Snakepit, all while covering the various vocals performed off of Slash's solo album.  He was a large part in making the Slash show one of my favorites of the year.  Then there is Ozzy;  vocally, he's not quite there anymore.  The man is legend, but it will still be interesting to see how he steps up after such a tight opener.

-01/16 - @ Qwest Center (Omaha, NE)
-01/22 - @ Sprint Center (Kansas City, MO)
-02/01 - @ Gibson Amphitheatre (Universal City, CA)
-02/03 - @ HP Pavilion (San Jose, CA)
-02/05 - @ Tacoma Dome (Tacoma, WA)
-02/14 - @ i wireless Center (Moline, IL)

Ozzy's best friend is....

... the 'auto-tune' button!  Their relationship seems to still be going strong.

I have to admit that I like the new kid, Gus G, on guitar.

Tuesday's Metal Releases

Danzig - Deth Red Sabaoth (Evilive Records)
Halford - Live In Anaheim (Metal God Entertainment)
Ozzy Osbourne - Scream (Epic)
Salem - Playing God (Pulverized Records)
Vince Neil - Tattoos & Tequila (Eleven Seven Music)
Wovenhand - The Threshingfloor (Sounds Familyre)

THOUGHTS: My poor sweet angelic Ozzy needs to throw in the towel.   What a nightmare this album is.  Even still, Pick of the Weak goes to Danzig for Deth Red Sabaoth.  If the spelling of the album isn't annoying enough check out the vocals.  JESUS.
Opposite of those two albums is Wovenhand's The Threshingfloor, which easily gets named this week's Pick Of The Week for being brilliant.  Seriously, this is a great and beautiful album.  I am verklempt.

Ozzy talks about his shitty new album, Sabbath and Dio

Ozzy talked to Rolling Stone about his new album, Scream, playing Sabbath songs live, and the passing of Dio.  I actually think he is sounding pretty good.

One last chance to meet Ozzy & update on the Hail show tonight

Ozzy will be doing one more book signing for I am Ozzy tonight at the Barnes And Nobles in Columbus Circle at 7:00 tonight.  I recommend you go to this and then head straight over to BB Kings in Times Square for the Hail show.    Update on that show: I can now say pretty much as a fact that yes, Chris Caffery will guest on a few songs, and also Bobby Blitz from Overkill will step on stage.   This is going to be killer!  Those two I can say for sure, but I wonder who else will be in attendance.  I cant help but think Alex Skolnick or Frankie Bello might make an appearance, but that one is just a hunch.   You never know who you will see at a metal show.  I recently saw Claudio from Coheed & Cambria at the Arch Enemy/Exodus show, and also Dora Pesch was seen mingling in the crowd there as well.  Funny enough, Dora chose the same diner as me to eat at afterwards. 

Ozzy Proves that his book is written by him

Well, at least a part Ozzy's autobiography, I am Ozzy, can now be proven to be written by Ozzy.  He is having a book signing at 12:30 at the Barnes And Nobles on 46th and 5th Ave in NYC on Monday the 25th.  I wonder what time people will show up just to get his Hancock and guarantee that at least 2 words in the book were legitimately written by the Ozz-man.
I wish I didn't work and could go to this.  If anyone goes, I want a review.

So many birthdays, so little relevance...

Keith Richards turns 86 66 today.  Still looking fresh faced and rosey cheeked! 
Other random birthdays:
-Randy Castillo (Ozzy's drummer) is 51
-Greg D'Angelo (White Lion singer) is 45
-Mille Petrozza (Kreator singer) is 43
-Raymond Herrera (Fear Factory drummer) is 36
-Euroboy (Turbonegro guitarist) is 35

Also, itsNew Jersey Day (real holiday), so pump up some Overkill!

OZZY is.....

OLD.   Today he turns 61!

The one time Dave Mathews actually doesnt seem like a douchebag

Last night the notoriously irritating Dave Matthews was on Saturday Night Live doing an impersonation of Ozzy Osbourne.  I have to admit it- it was good.  The skit itself isnt too great, but Dave nails down Ozzy's coma-like haze.

Slash's solo album has some unlikely collaborations

Some Slash news.... I think everyone knows by now that a GNR reunion isn't right around the corner (although I still think I will see it in the next 10 years), and Velvet Revolver seems to have thrown in the towel as well.  It's time for Slash to move on, and he has.  On November 11th he has a 2 track cd single being released where everyone is famous in Japan.  The first track 'Sahara' is a new song that features Koshi Inaba from Japan's very own B'Z on vocals.  The second track is a remake of 'Paradise City' with Fergie Ferg from the Black Eyed Peas doin' guest vocals.  I am not sure how necessary that is, but I guess Slash likes working with the pop princesses since he is also going to be featured on the song 'Rockstar 101' (cheesiest name ever) off of Rihanna's new album Rated R(she must be a QOTSA fan?)

Slash has a solo album album coming out soon simply titled Slash.  It seems like it might be similar to the Tony Iommi solo album in that it features a different singer on each song, and all the songs are pretty radically different from one other.  So far its been released that NIN's Josh Freese is on drums and some of the vocalists include Ozzy , M. Shadows, Eric Valentine, and Chris Cornell.  Interesting.... it will do do well in Japan.

Ozzy and wrestling come together to create stupid human tricks

As a former WWE fan I cant help but find it pretty darn endearing when one of metal's icons graces the squared circle with his presence.  Last night Ozzy and his soul-owner wife Sharon hosted WWE Raw.  Apparently one of the bits they did was a spin-off of the show Sharon hosted, Americas Got Talent.  Check it out:

This really is oddly mesmerizing.

Ozzy's book finally to come out

Ozzy Osbourne's autobiography cleverly titled I am Ozzy was released in the UK on the 1st of the month.  However, the release date for the book in the good old US of A was just announced as January 24th 2010...!  How did Sharon think this was a good idea?  Everyone who truly gives a shit will buy this online from the UK, and the rest of us in between can't even casually pick it up as a Christmas gift.  Silllllllly!  My gut says the release date gets bumped to before the holiday money spending season.

Ozzy behind the wheel!

Ahhhh, hahaha!  This morning I logged onto Twitter because I have no life an account for this blog and I see this 'tweet' from a Mr. Ozzy Osbourne: "I just passed my driving test. Took me 60 yrs but I did it! For the 1st time in my life I'm legal to drive, so watch out!"

Be sure to buckle up today, people!

Ozzy gives Gus G the best gift- fame.

Gus G. (Ozzy's new Zakk Wylde) must be a pig in shit today. Not only is today his 29th bithday (Yes, he is that young), but also he is playing with Ozzy at a major festival on the Sunset Strip tonight. Shit, I am jealous.

Ozzy Osbourne Day (this is a real thing)

Today is officially Ozzy Osbourne Day.  No, really.  This is the one time I am posting a non-photoshopped picture, just because this is so ridiculously awesome that  it doesn't need altering.

Apparently the genius' over in West Hollywood made September 10th an official holiday for the Prince of Darkness.   This is a little bizarre but also insanely cool.  If it was up to me, though it would be a Mr. Tony Iommi who gets his own holiday.  Either way, it's nice to see metal recognized!!

Famous metal Dads

Today is my dad's bday so it made me think of some famous fathers in metal.

Dee Snider: His son, Jesse, has a band called Jesse Blaze.  It's somewhat fun, but mostly dumb. 

Nicholas Cage: Nick's son went Scandanavian on us and formed the black metal band, Eyes of Noctum.  I hear they are complete shit live.  I'm seeing them in a few Mondays from now (because they are opening for Urgehal) and I will let you know how it is.

Ozzy: Both Jack and Kelly are known to the world, but it's because of a BS reality show.  At least Kelly had a hit single or two, but in this case I am not sure having a famous father helped or hurt.

Steven Harris: Lauren Harris may be the luckiest girl on the planet.  She got to open for her dad's band last year.  I'm jealous.  Her voice isn't bad, but musically it's not my thing.

Eddie Van Halen: Did I just call Lauren Harris lucky?  Well, Eddie's son Wolfgang blows her luck out of the water.  He didn't just open for his dad's band, he got to play in them.  I think there is no one on the planet that doesn't know by know that Wolfgang Van Halen took over Michael Anthony's spot on bass last VH tour, and that's what makes him so lucky.