Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman - Limited Edition Picture Disc

Personnel: Ozzy Osbourne (vocals); Randy Rhoads (guitar); Bob Daisley, Robert Trujillo (bass); Lee Kerslake, Mike Bordin (drums); Danny Saber (bells). Producers: Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads, Max Norman. Engineers: Max Norman, Thom Panunzio, Herman Villacota. Includes liner notes by Phil Alexander. Digitally remastered by Stephen Marcussen (Marcussen Mastering). Released three years after his departure from Black Sabbath, DIARY is Ozzy's second solo album. A true metal masterpiece, the record features Randy Rhoads (previously in Quiet Riot). DIARY and its successors showed that Ozzy could not only make it on his own, but exceed his former bandmates in popularity. "Over The Mountain" rumbles in and features the often imitated-never duplicated soloing of Randy Rhoads. The man is arguably the most influential guitarist in heavy rock besides Eddie Van Halen. "Flying High Again" follows, and is Ozzy's ode to non-stop partying. "Tonight" is a wonderful ballad, showing Randy's tasteful restraint. "S.A.T.O." is vintage Osbourne, with metal riffage only he can deliver. The title track begins with beautiful electric and acoustic guitar overdubs, and concludes the record with bombast. It is clear the Ozzman is at his peak on this album. Ozzy will never be considered a "singer's singer," and his penchant for biting the heads off live animals may overshadow his musical abilities. But albums like DIARY show why he will forever be the Godfather of Heavy Metal.