Osbourne, Ozzy: Scream

Ozzy made a significant change when he opted to part ways with guitarist Zack Wylde, and so Greek guitarist Gus G was the new guy selected for this significant role, certainly a worthy replacement not lacking any experience and bringing plenty of enthusiasm. Gus has already made impressive contributions with his involvement in bands like Dream Evil, Mystic Prophecy and continuing with Firewind.

And so with this change in mind my interest returned after some rather lacklustre Ozzy albums, and I thought that Scream might be of some improvement, which it is, as there's an invigorated vibe this time around. Even though Zack isn't on this album his sound was present alongside Ozzy for so long, and you can still hear his influence like on the slower "Diggin Me Down", thought there are both past and modern influences on this CD. Ozzy's vocals have been enhanced thanks to the wonders of technology, but then I never purchased an Ozzy album for his voice, it was the music that I was drawn to.

I can't understand all the fuss over the single "Let Me Hear You Scream", as Scream does have better on offer, for example, the opener "Let It Die", is far superior, the charm of Gus G's playing helping to make this one of Scream's top tracks, cutting loose with his vibrant solo work, it's a shame it wasn't longer. The broody "Soul Sucker" does get livelier for a time; Ozzy gets rocking with "Life Won't Wait" another good song that partly reminded me of "Mamma I'm Coming Home". "I Want It More" has more metal spark from one Gus G, and I also like the keyboards and chorus on this one.

As far Scream goes I did have more fun with the Wes Craven movie of the same name, and overall this one isn't a new exciting chapter like No Rest For The Wicked was, but it's far from terrible, and anyway times have changed as do the styles of some. Ozzy Osbourne has come back with his best release since Ozzmosis.


Track Listing:
1. Let It Die
2. Let Me Hear You Scream
3. Soul Sucker
4. Life Won't Wait
5. Diggin' Me Down
6. Crucify
7. Fearless
8. Time
9. I Want It More
10. Latimer's Mercy
11. I Love You All

Added: June 19th 2010
Reviewer: Scott Jessup
Score:
Related Link: The Artist's Web Site
Hits: 2557
Language: english

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