OZZY OSBOURNE: Scream (HEAVY METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

"Black Rain" had surprised everyone, revealing Ozzy in a very great shape that we hadn't expected. That's why the departure of the faithful Zakk Wylde, present at the side of the Prince of Darkness since 1988, was like a bomb. Ozzy could explain on his side that he didn't want his music to become too close to that of Black Label Society, and Zakk affirmed that he always remained the Madman's most faithful friend, the majority feeling was at the fear of an uncontrolled fall on the occasion of the next opus, especially since the guitarist position was entrusted to a Gus G. certainly talented, but whose youth wasn't to reassure everyone.

Composed almost entirely by Ozzy and Kevin Churko, producer of the album, "Scream" came out on our turntables and quickly put our ideas back in place. Indeed, even if his voice is regularly arranged, Ozzy appears in great shape, varying his vocals and giving it the necessary dynamism. The production is heavy and powerful, reinforcing the dark side of most of the tracks, while including some arrangements of the best effect like the piano and strings of "I Want It More" marrying a heavy cutting riff and gothic sounds. If there are a few dispensable yet good quality tracks ("Fearless", "Latimer's Mercy"), in its great majority, "Scream" hits hard and right, and is both varied and coherent.

Coherent because it evolves in dark and deep waters but is varied, sometimes progressive ("Let It Die"), sometimes indus ("Let Me Hear You Scream" and its hyper catchy chorus), sometimes doom ("Soul Sucker" as slow as threatening), sometimes melodic (the ballad "Time" which never sinks into the syrupy), but always Ozzy, even mixing several colours within the same title. For if Ozzy's work is not "progressive", these tracks are often the occasion of well felt tempo changes, like this "Diggin' Me Down" with an acoustic introduction, followed by a heavy and melodic riff, and endowed with a break all in ambience on which Ozzy questions Jesus Christ. We won't forget either a "Crucify" with a powerful rise and an irresistible chorus reinforced by some keyboards with modern sounds of the best effect.

The worries, if they could be understood, were not founded for all that. Ozzy and his reworked team, in which Gus G. seems to have found his place, putting his technique at the service of the music and the master of the place, offers us a very successful album. "Scream" is the logical and reassuring continuation of "Black Rain" and augurs well for a future where tradition and modernity will continue to go hand in hand, all the more so as Osbourne seems to be in great shape on his last stage performances. Dio has left us, but Ozzy is still here, so let's enjoy it! - Official website

OZZY OSBOURNE

SCREAM

SONY BMG

HEAVY METAL