Liz Phair and Sleater-Kinney emerged from different corners of the ’90s underground, making very different kinds of indie rock, with wildly different lyrical perspectives and priorities. Though they were mutual admirers and dealt with some of the same obstacles in a male-dominated music industry, their music didn’t have that much in common beyond getting slotted into the same “women in rock” editorial packages. But decades later, they somehow make perfect sense together. Both acts have amassed legendary catalogs. Both faced some backlash at one point over their attempts to go pop. Both weathered those storms and continue to be revered as towering icons in their field. So it’s only right that they’re going on tour together.
Last summer Alex G released his latest LP Headlights. I thought it was great at the time, and I still do, too! But even with ten studio albums and a major label deal to his name, Alex G still maintains some proximity to his reputation as a DIY hero who does things his own way,…
Traditional heavy metal band Wishing Well from Finland has released a new video off their brand new Playing With Fire album, released in March. This time visual extra boost was given to album’s fastest track, Train Of Thoughts, by animated video. The video was illustrated and animated by Natalia Śmiechowicz, who has made videos for Uriah Heep, Dokken and Motörhead to name but a few. Her inimitable […]
The legendary partnership between Ozzy Osbourne and Zakk Wylde spanned six essential studio albums, beginning with the 1988 classic No Rest for the Wicked and concluding with the 2022 Grammy-winning masterpiece Patient Number 9.
Throughout their 37-year brotherhood, Wylde was the primary architect of Ozzy’s sound on multi-platinum records like No More Tears (1991) and Ozzmosis (1995). Following Ozzy’s passing on July 22, 2025—just two weeks after his final “Back to the Beginning” show in Birmingham—these records stand as the definitive document of the most enduring guitarist-vocalist duo in metal history.
A Brotherhood Forged in Fire: The Ozzy and Zakk Legacy
When Jake E. Lee departed in 1987, Ozzy didn’t just find a guitarist; he found a surrogate son. A 20-year-old Zakk Wylde arrived with a Bullseye Les Paul and a style that blended Randy Rhoads’s precision with a raw, Southern-fried aggression that saved Ozzy’s career.
Zakk recently revealed to Loudwire that Ozzy had been texting him about a new “melodic but heavy” follow-up to Patient Number 9 right before he passed. While we never got that seventh studio album, the catalog they left behind remains the “Holy Grail” of modern heavy metal.
The Verdict: A high-gloss, experimental pivot that saw the duo battling the grunge explosion.
The Deep Dive: Produced by Michael Beinhorn, Ozzmosis is a strange, atmospheric beast. Emerging during the height of the alternative rock boom, the album often feels caught between Ozzy’s desire for Beatles-esque ballads and Zakk’s urge to crush skulls. While “Perry Mason” features one of the most tectonic-shifting riffs of the 90s, the record’s production is notoriously dense and digital.
Zakk’s performance is stellar, particularly on “See You on the Other Side,” but the inclusion of outside writers and a more commercial “sheen” makes it feel less like a cohesive band effort compared to their earlier work. It remains a fan favorite for its moody textures, but it lacks the raw, bar-room grit that Zakk truly excels at.
5. Down to Earth (2001)
The Verdict: A nu-metal-influenced comeback that brought Zakk back after his first major hiatus.
The Deep Dive: After a six-year studio gap, Zakk returned with a darker, sludgy tone that mirrored the rise of his own band, Black Label Society. Down to Earth was Ozzy’s answer to the early 2000s metal landscape. “Gets Me Through” stands as one of the most honest and vulnerable songs the Madman ever sang, addressing his relationship with his fans directly.
The record is notable for its “meat and potatoes” approach to riffs. While “Junkie” and “Facing Hell” showed a band re-energized, the album is occasionally criticized for sounding too much like Black Label Society with Ozzy on vocals. However, in 2026, the record holds up as a focused, professional metal statement that proved the duo could survive yet another decade of musical shifts.
4. Black Rain (2007)
The Verdict: The “aggressive” era—down-tuned, relentlessly heavy, and unapologetic.
The Deep Dive: Critics often label Black Rain as the “weakest” entry, but for fans of pure Zakk-style aggression, it’s a gold mine. This was the first album Ozzy recorded entirely sober, and you can hear the clarity and bite in his delivery. Zakk’s guitar work is arguably at its most frantic here, utilizing down-tunings that make “Not Going Away” feel like a punch to the chest.
“I Don’t Wanna Stop” proved the duo could still write a massive radio anthem in the digital age. The downside? The “loudness war” production is exhausting, and a few mid-tempo tracks feel like filler. Despite that, it captures a specific moment in time when Ozzy and Zakk were at their most “macho” and muscular.
3. Patient Number 9 (2022)
The Verdict: The Grammy-winning swan song that proved the fire never went out.
The Deep Dive: While Patient Number 9 featured a “Who’s Who” of guitar legends—including Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Tony Iommi—Zakk Wylde was the undisputed musical anchor of the project. His work on “Parasite” and “Nothing Feels Right” brought a sense of class and “Ozz-history” to the record.
Produced by Andrew Watt, the album served as a hauntingly beautiful, heavy, and sophisticated farewell. It showcased a more mature version of the duo; Zakk’s solos weren’t just fast—they were melodic and deeply emotional, mirroring the vulnerability in Ozzy’s aging voice. It was a perfect studio exit for the most important partnership in metal.
2. No Rest for the Wicked (1988)
The Verdict: The seismic debut that introduced the world to the “Pinch Harmonic” king.
The Deep Dive: From the moment the “Miracle Man” riff kicks in, the landscape of metal changed forever. A 20-year-old Zakk Wylde brought a ferocious, blonde-maned energy that Ozzy desperately needed after the departure of Jake E. Lee. The album is a masterclass in 80s aggression, blending Southern-rock swagger with high-speed technicality.
Tracks like “Crazy Babies,” “Breaking All the Rules,” and “Fire in the Sky” are foundational texts. Zakk’s use of pinch harmonics became his signature overnight, and the chemistry between his wild guitar playing and Ozzy’s classic vocals was instant. It is only narrowly beaten by the sheer perfection and commercial dominance of their follow-up.
A Note on the Live Assault: Honorable Mentions
Before we get to number one, it would be a crime not to mention the live albums. While we’ve focused on the studio recordings, albums like Just Say Ozzy (1990) and the monstrous Live & Loud (1993) were essential documents of this duo’s incredible power on stage. They captured the raw, unhinged energy of the Ozzy/Zakk show and remain a testament to their electrifying live chemistry.
1. No More Tears (1991)
The Verdict: The undisputed masterpiece of the 90s and the peak of the Ozzy/Zakk partnership.
The Deep Dive: This is where every planet aligned. The songwriting—bolstered by lyrical contributions from Lemmy Kilmister—resulted in a record with zero skips. No More Tears managed to be heavy, radio-friendly, and experimental all at once. The title track’s hypnotic bass line and “talk-box” solo remain legendary, while “Mama, I’m Coming Home” became the definitive power ballad for a generation.
Zakk’s performance on this record is his “magnum opus.” Whether it’s the bluesy soul of “Road to Nowhere” or the sheer intensity of “Mr. Tinkertrain,” his playing is flawless. No More Tears isn’t just the best Zakk-era record; it is arguably one of the five greatest heavy metal albums of all time. It represents the absolute summit of their 37-year brotherhood.
The Masterpiece:No More Tears (1991) is the essential, multi-platinum peak.
The Debut:No Rest for the Wicked (1988) introduced Zakk’s iconic “pinch harmonic” style.
The Farewell:Patient Number 9 (2022) won two Grammys and served as Ozzy’s final studio statement.
The “Heavy” Era:Black Rain (2007) is the duo at their most aggressive and down-tuned.
FAQ: The Zakk Wylde & Ozzy Osbourne Connection
How many studio albums did Zakk Wylde record with Ozzy? Zakk Wylde played on a total of six studio albums: No Rest for the Wicked, No More Tears, Ozzmosis, Down to Earth, Black Rain, and Patient Number 9.
What was the first Ozzy album Zakk Wylde played on? His debut was the 1988 classic No Rest for the Wicked, where he replaced Jake E. Lee.
Who was Ozzy Osbourne’s final guitarist? Zakk Wylde remained Ozzy’s primary guitarist and “surrogate son” until the singer’s passing in 2025. He was the main guitarist for Ozzy’s final live appearances and his last studio album.
What was Ozzy Osbourne’s cause of death? Ozzy passed away on July 22, 2025, due to a heart attack following a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s disease and complications from previous spinal injuries.
(written by Islander) For nearly a decade we’ve been recommending the recordings of the Brisbane-based black metal band Graveir, and we’re doing it again today. Their discography to date has included a pair of albums — Iconostasis (2016) and King of the Silent World (2020) — plus an EP and a pair of splits. And […]
