Osbourne is seventy-three years old, in poor health and the coronavirus pandemic has taken away his concerts. Few would have expected him to continue to maintain the quality of his work and his interpretation of him at a high level, especially after some of the unsuccessful performances he has performed here. But the opposite is true. In the studio he acquired taste and strength and, to be in a good mood, he invited his musician friends.
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His voice is one of the most distinctive in rock history, and he still sounds satisfying on this album, even if he hides behind the instruments here and there. He still has explosiveness, urgency, that characteristic whimper and melancholy moods that Osbourne works with most often. “I’ll never die because I’m immortal,” exaggerates his current form in Immortal.
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Osbourne and producer Watt are credited as authors of all thirteen songs on the record. Except for the latest Darkside Blues, however, they weren’t alone. Most of the songs involved five or more authors, a number that requires a great deal of tolerance for the ideas of others.
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Songs were created that matched the character of Osbourne’s solo work. As for the musical guests, the album is a textbook example of quality rock star collaboration. It included drummer Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers, bassist Robert Trujillo of Metallica, guitarists Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Jeff Beck and others. Their performances in songs match their proven quality over the years.
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Breathtaking riffs were brought into two songs by Zakk Wylde, an almost folk guitar part enriched with a bluesy touch was introduced in Eric Clapton’s One of those Days, and No Escape From Now begins as the best Black Sabbath ballads and then steps forward majestically to the title of the album’s true pearl. Presents … Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath on guitar.
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On this record, Ozzy Osbourne once again deceives fate, shamelessly mocking him. Depending on what form he is in, it may not be his “testament”, but rather a stepping stone to other thoroughbred hard rock songs. How about this style that doesn’t really sizzle. The king of darkness, as he is called, does not look at this.
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And there is also the magic of thirteen. The latest album by his home band Black Sabbath is called 13 and is a worthy conclusion to the career of one of the most important rock bands in history.
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Patient Number 9 is Osbourne’s thirteenth solo album featuring thirteen songs. In terms of cohesion, it’s slightly inferior to its predecessor Ordinary Man. As for the songs themselves, it’s vibrant and meaningful.
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| Ozzy Osbourne: patient number 9 |
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| Epic, 61:10 |
| Rating 85% |
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