As per usual, no one really seems to know what is happening with Ozzy Osbourne. In a lot of ways, that is as good as any other explanation for this album, its production and writing and its eventual release. Even for Ozzy there seems to be a lot of action going on in his life without him actually doing anything, and on this album there feels like there has been a lot of rush to produce the songs, get them recorded and get them released, without any real substance being attached to them.
One of the major holes with this album is the (what appears to be final) parting of ways with long time guitarist and collaborator Zakk Wylde - for whatever reason, and from whatever quarter. As always there isn’t a lot of information coming through. Certainly from my point of view, this always meant that there would be a lot more judgement of this album, either positively or negatively. While Zakk has been involved, whether as both songwriter and performer, or even only one of those things, there was a confidence that what was going to be on the album would have a solid base of hope for the material produced. That is not to pre-judge new guitarist Gus G, as he is good enough that he doesn't warrant comparisons with any of Ozzy’s previous guitarists, and his contributions can stand alone.
That isn't enough to save this album. It is tired. It is formulaic. It pretty much tries to rehash the success of Ozzy from another era, and wash it up to make it sound like a new version. It fails on this level. Artists that have been around as long as Ozzy are often on a hiding to nothing – if you look to change your style you risk alienating your long-term fans. if you look to stay true to your style you’ve cultivated over years, you could be accused of being unimaginative and unable to move with the times. I think the problem with Scream is that it fails to do either, and so it is stuck in the loop.
Why does it not work? I don't claim to know the full answer, all I know is that this doesn't feel like a traditional Ozzy Osbourne album, nor does it feel like a new venture. Apart from the first single, "Let Me Hear You Scream", which in itself is very formula-written and though it is catchy does tend to become repeatable, there is no magic in the remaining songs on the album. Most of it is stuck in a very similar slow and sludgy rhythm. “Soul Sucker” is a good example of this, as is "Latimer's Mercy", just plodding songs that can't get out of first gear, and yet Gus G’s solos try to rip along at a faster pace which just confuses the whole basis of the song. Either be a grunge song or a metal song, but the complete change of tempo within the song doesn’t work. The opening track “Let it Die” seems to drag on forever in a never-ending malaise. “Life Won’t Wait” and “Diggin’ Me Down” tend to do the same. The tempo of the album just doesn’t get to the point that the songs become fun to listen to. “Fearless” comes closest to working here, with its relatively short punch and faster rhythm throughout making it more enjoyable. “Time” feels like it stretches out for eternity. “I Want it More” is tolerable, while the closing hymn of “I Love You All” is a bit schmaltzy even for latter day Ozzy. And, not to mention that a number of the riffs on this album come close to those on some of the songs on the last three albums. Running out of ideas?
Ozzy’s co-writer of the album Kevin Churko has worked with a lot of different artists, such as Five Finger Death Punch, Disturbed, Papa Roach and... Shania Twain, so the different track these songs have taken, along with no guidance from Zakk or even Gus G as the hired replacement probably goes some way to explaining the lackluster feel of the album.
I can also add that for me there is no desire to hear any of it live, and after the initial rotation that all new albums get on my stereo and assorted mp3 players, it has remained on the shelf, and I’m not sure it will ever come back off it.
Could this be the end for Ozzy? It's quite possible. With the passing of Ronnie James Dio this year, the possibility of a Black Sabbath reunion album with Ozzy back on vocals will no doubt now be resurrected, especially given the success of the Heaven and Hell project over the last four years. An album co-written with Iommi and Butler may be all Ozzy has left to keep his own career afloat. If this album was to signal the end of his music career, it would be a sad way to bow out.
Best: “Let Me Hear You Scream”, “Fearless”.
Rating: “I'll take this rage, rattle your cage, nobody said it's easy!” 2/5.
