Ozzy back and Down to Earth
by David Whiteman, reporter

    After six years heavy metal madman John “Ozzy” Osbourne is back with his new album Down to Earth, and it promises to blow the new wave of metal completely away.

    It has been too long since his last album Ozzmosis (1995) and greatest hits compilation Ozzman Cometh (1997), which featured Back On Earth.

    The so-called “Godfather of Metal” has been busy while touring endlessly on his yearly Ozzfest and also reuniting with the original Black Sabbath, which he departed in 1979, beginning his solo career in 1980.

    Osbourne’s career has been full of excess, tragedy and controversy.

    He has been repeatedly ridiculed and slandered, which just adds to his infamous reputation while fighting his addictions to drugs and alcohol. Despite these problems, Osbourne remains one of the most popular and enigmatic showmen in music today.

    His latest endeavor, Down to Earth is one of his heaviest and most ambitious albums ever. Incorporating the many changing elements through the different eras in his career from his time with Black Sabbath to his short time with the late guitarist Randy Rhoads.

    Gets Me Through, the first track and radio single, is a tribute to all the fans who have stuck with him throughout the years.

    Others like Facing Hell and No Easy Way Out are pure Osbourne, and the impressive ballad Dreamer is a surprising change in the album, insightful and reminiscent of his classic Goodbye to Romance. The disturbing Junkie is also in relation to his own years of addiction and recovery.

    With Osbourne on vocals, the album features former guitarist Zakk Wylde, bassist Robert Trujillo, and drummer Mike Bordin. It is produced by Tim Palmer. A special limited Edition CD features a CD-ROM with footage of Osbourne and Rhoads’ 1982 performance of Crazy Train and more.

    The Merry Mayhem tour with Osbourne began last month, featuring special guests Rob Zombie and Mudvayne.

    Down to Earth is an Os-bourne milestone that may or may not be his last since the 53-year-old father of three will continue on, but as he states in his new song, he’s Running Out of Time.