After separating for over a decade, Ozzy Osbourne welcomed Zakk Wylde back into his live band in 2017. With news that Ozzy completeled a new solo record, one that could potentially be his last, fans may have assumed that Zakk would be playing on that record.
Those fans would be sadly mistaken. Zakk was interviewed by the Cassius Morris Show and made it clear that he had nothing to do with the new record, and that ultimately, that's fine:
“We didn’t do anything on that. Ozz, he just jammed with some friends that he knows. He was just like, ‘Hey, Zakk, I ended up tracking some of the stuff’ or whatever. And I was like, ‘Oh, great, Ozz.’
“That Post Malone thing [“Take What You Want”] I heard was awesome. Post came down to a Black Label [Society] show about maybe — I don’t know — almost half a year ago or something like that, before the Ozzy thing. But he just came down and he was, like, ‘Hey, Zakk, what’s happening?’ A really cool guy and everything like that. When I heard the track, Ozzy sounds great on it, man. But no, I didn’t have nothing to do with the stuff that Ozz just recorded.”
Ozzy worked with producer Andrew Watt on his new solo album, the same producer who he met when he collaborated with Post Malone. Ozzy enjoyed the experience of working with Watt behind the boards so much, that he decided to hire Watt to work on Ozzy's new solo record. Ozzy told The Sun that he considers this material his greatest material yet.
“I’d never even heard of this kid. He wanted me to sing on his song Take What You Want, so I did and then one thing led to another. I started recording a new album with Post Malone’s producer Andrew Watt. It’s only nine tracks but it was a catalyst to get me to where I am today.”
As Ozzy plays me Ordinary Man, a song from his new record, he says: “If it wasn’t for making this record I would still be on traction, thinking, ‘I’m going to be lying here for ever’. I’ve missed music so badly. My fans are so loyal and so good. Up until making the album I thought I was dying. But that got me off my ass.”
But making studio album No 12 has reminded Ozzy he is not getting any younger.
He says: “This is my first recording in a studio for ten years, so I do feel a bit out of touch.
I guess we'll see in due time.
Ozzy and Zakk are heading out on the road in 2020 for rescheduled dates. Get tickets here.
