Ozzy Osbourne

Blizzard of Ozz

Disgusting: What you didn't hear on the Osbournes!

Review Score:

(2/10)
I'm not even a big fan of Ozzy, and I am appalled at the practice of the Osbourne camp on this AND the Diary of a Madman rerelease. For anyone rushing out to buy the new versions, BE WARNED.

The 2 discs have been seriously tampered with. In order to clear up a royalty dispute that was apparently dragging on for years between the original drum and bass players from these two albums, the Osbourne camp elected not to just pay them off. No, instead, they go ahead and completely lift their old tracks from the masters and re-record the drum and bass parts with Ozzy's current band, and then remix the whole thing with Ozzy's original vocals and Randy Rhode's guitars.

Why, oh why?!

I'm not even so big a fan that I can tell right away each time, but I bought the new Diary of a Madman because I wanted to pick up some essential Ozz, and then I found out this Ultimate Gyp. I rushed out to buy a copy of the old 1995 remasters and then compared. Big difference. What's been done here is not only new tracks in the mix, but a whole new mix! Rhode's guitar levels are doctored as are Ozzy's vocals.

The bottom line is...the bottom line! We know all too well who is running Ozzy's life and career, and Sharon Osbourne, rather than settle with the old band, went and put out this travesty. Meanwhile Ozzy is worth $60+ million. He also goes on and on about Randy Rhodes and about how great he was and what a great friend and always remembering him...and then he destroys the only two studio albums he did with the guy.

Disgusting. This is recommended ONLY for diehard fans who want to hear what this sounds like. All other purists (meaning those who don't like the extensive sonic doctoring bands love to do these days on reissues) STAY AWAY!

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