After Ozzy was ejected from Sabbath (or quit – depends on who you believe), he was at a huge turning point in his career. He was addicted to just about every known chemical that he could shove in his body, and his voice and attitude in Sabbath towards the end was pretty bad. So his next step had to be a huge one and a decisive one. When he found Randy Rhoads and released the first Blizzard Of Oz album, it was a huge boost for Ozzy, but with the release of this, the 2nd album, his legendary status had been assured thanks to Mr. Rhoads.
Make no mistake about it, these songs are all about Randy. His playing on this record is outstanding – rivalling the impact EVH would have a few years earlier coming from the same breeding ground in and around the Pasadena area. Every song on offer here is the best the Ozzman recorded throughout his solo career. From the opening crunch of Over The Mountain, you know you are hearing something special. I know Sabbath die hardship would say Ozzy’s best days were there, but in reality everyone knew this band was on a different level. It would only be broken by tragedy with the untimely death of Randy in that well documented stunt/accident that went horribly wrong.
We all know and love familiar songs on the this record, but it’s the sleeper tracks like You Can’t Kill Rock And Roll where Randy destroys on the fade out that I love. I wish that had been extended a lot longer. His rhythm tone alone is incredible throughout. S.A.T.O is another track where Randy just lets loose with the incredible riff and the control of the guitar is incredible when it’s always on the edge of feedback. I think most rockers and metal heads own this, and rightly so, as it’s in the metal fans owners manual.
10/10 from The Grooveman.
