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Rating:
I couldn't miss the appointment—the return of the great madman couldn't leave anyone indifferent, especially after the letdown of "Down to Earth", and I'm sure I wasn't the only one eager for it. I have to honestly say that the wait was satisfactorily rewarded (at least, better than the aforementioned predecessor), even if it stands on more than normal levels, and if we want to be honest, somewhat predictable.
The good craftsmanship of the album is undeniable; after all, Ozzy is a professional, and the musicians surrounding him are no less. Zakk Wylde, above all, is, in my opinion, the true and undisputed protagonist of the album, confirming once again that he's an excellent guitarist (if you don't want to call him a guitar hero, that's fine, but to me, in his own way, he undoubtedly is).
Musically speaking, it starts well with the first two tracks, "Not Going Away" and "I Don't Wanna Stop", the energy is explosive, especially with the latter with its explosive chorus (not coincidentally chosen as a single). The tone slightly drops with the title track, which nonetheless sums up the album's concept and, more generally, the themes tackled by Ozzy on this occasion, current and modern, including the Iraq war and the almighty dollar ("The Almighty Dollar"). It picks up again with the next track "Lay Your World On Me", one of those indispensable ballads where Ozzy has always known how to excel, despite his croaky voice, and even this time he hits the mark, and twice in the album at that, although "Here for you" sounds slightly more predictable, perhaps because of its position in the tracklist, perhaps because it's highly indebted to "Goodbye to Romance".
There are many influences, from the "No More Tears" sound to a more eighties vibe, and even to Black Sabbath if you will, all revisited with a modern twist, and at times ("Civilize The Universe" and "The Almighty Dollar") with some light nu-metal nuances, as already happened with "Down to Earth". However, defining this album as the ideal continuation of "No More Tears", or as Ozzy's rebirth in this new millennium where we have mostly known him as a showman rather than a singer, seems a bit exaggerated to me.
It's evident that things were done calmly (a good six years) and that each detail was painstakingly curated, including some small (and inevitable) tweaks to the voice in the recording phase. This latest effort certainly serves as proof that our Ozzy (now approaching 60) is still capable of surprising us with his moves (whether they be reality shows or albums) that make him more and more prominent in the world of music, and beyond.
A good album, musically well-crafted and with current and mature lyrics, but still (perhaps I'm repeating myself, but it's true) the kind of album you'd expect today from a past hero: great craftsmanship, good but nothing more, especially when compared to the glorious past. Perhaps this comparison is unnecessary, but alas, it's inevitable to measure up to what's been done before when the name you carry holds a certain weight, because we're still talking about a legend, and an album like this, produced by an emerging band today, wouldn't stand the slightest chance.
Tracklist and Lyrics
02 I Don't Wanna Stop (03:59)
I don't know what they're talking about
I'm making my own decisions
This thing that I found
Ain't gonna bring me down
I'm like a junkie without an addiction
Mama don't cry
I just wanna say I
Like playing with danger or fear
Everybody's walking but nobody's talking
It looks a lot better from here
All my life I've been over the top
I don't know what I'm doing,
All I know is I don't wanna stop
All my life, I'm gonna go till I drop
You're either in or in the way, don't make me
I don't wanna stop
Why don't they ever listen to me?
Is this a one-way conversation?
Nothing they say is gonna set me free
Don't need no mental masturbation
Too many religions, but only one god
I don't need another saviour
Don't try to change my mind
You know I'm one of a kind
Ain't gonna change my bad behavior
All my life I've been over the top
I don't know what I'm doing,
All I know is I don't wanna stop
All my life, I'm gonna go till I drop
You're either in or in the way, don't make me
I don't wanna stop
(x2)
I don't wanna stop
(x4)
All my life I've been over the top
I don't know what I'm doing,
All I know is I don't wanna stop
All my life, I'm gonna go till I drop
You're either in or in the way, don't make me
I don't wanna stop
(x2)
06 11 Silver (03:42)
Your words they go like no mare.
they sale the world high headed, yeah
I can't believe I'm still here,
I know I should be dead, yeah.
This desperation makes me feel so filthy.
But I know if I don't stop I won't feel guilty.
Take me higher,
Pray me faster,
Help me get her,
Who I'm after.
One time to take away all pain!
One more to turn myself insane!
One time to keep me high all day!
Makes my reality fade away!
There is no future waiting.
There is no morning ever.
I can't stop the place is spinning.
My anti drugs get trashed, yeah.
This paranoia stops my mind from sinking.
I don't know if I'm awake or if I'm dreaming.
Take me in you, won't be nice.
Spit me out or wait and shine me...
One time to take away all pain!
One more to turn myself insane!
One time to keep me high all day!
Makes my reality fade away!
One time to take away all pain!
One more to turn myself insane!
One time to keep me high all day!
Makes my reality fade away!
[Is that the last song (Ozzy Osbourne in background)]
09 Countdown's Begun (04:53)
Watching blood-stained windows.
He must just love the blame.
See the children crying,
his mother's died again.
Dig her grave much deeper,
the fatal price you pay.
I hope I'm there to hold her,
when she comes back again.
I see the death and the disaster.
There is no happy ever after.
The time has come,
countdown's begun.
Countdown's begun.
Is the Armageddon,
finally here at last?
You may see the mushroom,
but you won't hear the blast.
Don't need a self made prophet,
don't need a holy war.
Don't need another leader,
to even up the score.
I'm cursed with living on a fault line.
The doomsday clock was made by mankind.
No place to run,
countdown's begun.
Countdown's begun.
Countdown's begun.
(Guitar)
I see the death and the disaster.
There is no happy ever after.
The time has come,
countdown's begun.
Countdown's begun.
Countdown's begun.
Countdown's begun.
Countdown's begun!
Countdown's begun.
10 Trap Door (04:03)
Can you see your reflection
False strength, hollow protection
Run from pain and rejection
The truth stabs again
Till the skin is broken
And the cut is open
And the words once spoken
Just fade away
Too late, standing on the trap door
Too late, standing on the trap door
Too late, standing on the trap door
Too late, standing on the trap door
Big head leads to confusion
Strong heart pumps up delusion
Tough talk, one voice communion
Medicate the pain
Justify your ego
Living with denial
And the thoughts so vile
Won't fade away
Too late, standing on the trap door
Too late, standing on the trap door
Too late, standing on the trap door
Too late, standing on the trap door
It's coming
You're falling
You're on your own with no one left to blame
Can't sleep? 'cause you've made your own bed
The sentence of the helpless
Sink deep to the trial in your head
The court of the selfish
Why? Tell me why? Can't evade or escape the reality
A true lie and a broken promise
A Judas and a doubting Thomas
A tragedy just to keep you honest
Guilty always fall
Through the trap door
Fear the trap door
Through the trap door
The trap door, the trap door
No fear, too scared to look up
Can't win, nothing but bad luck
Clock ticks, your time to face up
You can't run for long
When your world is broken
Your trap door is open
The very words you choke on
Just fade away
Too late, standing on the trap door
Too late, standing on the trap door
Too late, standing on the trap door
Too late, standing on the trap door
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Other reviews
By thetrooper
"Black Rain" is "a well-crafted product with a strong moral significance of hope and revival for one of the most important figures in the heavy metal scene."
"Ozzy seeks to reinvent himself and make his offering modern, captivating, and exquisitely 'rock'—a direct, warm, powerful, complex, and well-structured rock."
By polkatulk88
"The lyrics deserve a special mention, featuring an Ozzy more engaged than ever on social issues: the drama remains, but the enemy is no longer witches and Satan, but today's demons, now in the form of war, greed, and corruption."
"Black Rain, conceived as a natural follow-up to No More Tears, is ultimately an album characterized by rock writing but with metal sounds, which ranks undoubtedly among Ozzy’s most positive and valuable releases."
