Blizzard of Ozz

iTunes Review

The 1980s were a brighter decade for heavy metal. With aggressive pop hooks and an extra thump in its step, the music would break past its large cult status and hit the mainstream. The dark, morbid ‘70s were over, and Ozzy Osbourne, one of the music’s most identifiable singers, done with doom merchants Black Sabbath and armed with guitar virtuoso Randy Rhoads, recorded the pop-equipped Blizzard of Ozz.  The group’s attack expanded on Osbourne’s grandiose visions with tunes that could aggressively chug into arenas. From the first stuttering-rocket notes of “I Don’t Know,” the new Osbourne is apparent. He sounds looser and playful, if still obsessed with shades of evil and the nature of human willpower. The 1981 debut features the staples of Osbourne’s live show for decades to come. “Mr. Crowley” addresses his fascination with English occultist Aleister Crowley. The controversial “Suicide Solution,” unfairly blamed for contributing to alcohol abuse and suicide, alludes to the singer’s own battles with the bottle. “Crazy Train” questions notions of sanity in a world gone mad. Osbourne quickly followed up with the equally stunning Diary of a Madman.