Album/EP

Ozzy Osbourne - Patient Number 9 (Album Review)

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Heavy Metal Wordsmith

Sep 7, 2022

7 min read

Ozzy Osbourne – Patient Number 9
Released: September 9, 2022

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There was a time when we hardly heard a peep from The Prince Of Darkness unless you count the cringe inducing ‘reality’ tv show the Osbourne family seemed to think the world needed. We didn’t, it was embarrassing, but thankfully that’s in the past. As far as I know, Ozzy Osbourne is getting out of bed, turning on his home automation without the need for cameras and scrutiny.

With MTV out of his life Ozzy had got back to doing what he does best – play rock ‘n roll. So here we have his second album release in as many years. Much like 2020s Ordinary Man, Ozzy has followed the same recipe. Andrew Watt is back in the producer’s chair and rather than assembling a band we once again have an A-List of rocking artists. The first thing I noticed is the difference each guitarist in particular brings to their respective tracks. There are many imitators but no one on the planet has the tone of Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi. In his first ever appearance on an Ozzy solo project, the legend stamps his signature Gibson sound on both tracks he features. Close your eyes and even without Geezer and Bill, you could almost be listening to a new Sabbath track. Iommi only features on two tracks and for this die-hard ‘Sabbath fan it’s a shame; that said, they are two absolute bangers.

The album starts out with a bang! The title track featuring Jeff Beck, clocking in at over seven minutes isn’t a three-minute radio-friendly tune but it certainly sets the mood. The opening fistful of cuts are hard, heavy and rocking, just what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately, the mood is killed by the fifth track ‘One Of Those Days’. It feels completely out of place, after just one listen it was designated to my “skip list”. The following tracks see biker-come-axe-wielding-Norse-guitar-god Zakk Wylde feature heavily with devastating effect. This is no coincidence, Ozzy made some of the best music of his long career with Wylde at his side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_6DfxA6LiI

Even with the plethora of artists who are all stars in their own right, one thing is for certain — this is Ozzy Osbourne. He’s been around long enough to be my dad and your grandad, and even though he gave us all a scare back in 2019 when his health forced him to stop touring, age does not seem to weary him. There’s no disguising one of rock’s more unique voices and the singer sounds as good as he has in years. Although this album doesn’t break any new ground it is streaks ahead of the likes of 2007’s Black Rain or Scream from 2010. With Ordinary Man having blasted up the mainstream charts in 2020, Patient Number 9 won’t be far behind.

I have no doubt Ozzy fans will take to this album like the Prince of Darkness takes to bats. With thirteen tracks to choose from, there’s more than enough meaty goodness to sink your teeth into.