2019 was certainly a year to forget for the bat-chomping ex-Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne. Sadly, 2020 started no better for the ailing Prince Of Darkness, when he confirmed he’s been diagnosed with a form of Parkinson’s disease. However, the release of his 12th solo album suggests there’s some light at the end of the tunnel for both the singer and his fans.

While Ordinary Man doesn’t come close to rivalling 1991’s No More Tears (Ozzy’s last great full length), there’s still a decent fistful of stompers. Boasting guest performances from GNR duo Slash and Duff McKagan, RHCP tub thumper Chad Smith, Post Malone and RATM’s Tom Morello, bullish opener ‘Straight To Hell’ and down-tuned rocker ‘Eat Me’ pack plenty of bite. The cast of A-list guests can’t paper over all the cracks. Aside from the turgid title track, ‘Scary Little Green Men’ proves hopelessly formulaic, while and the pop-minded team-up with Travis Scott, ‘Take What You Want’, is ill-advised at best. Plus, the decision to eschew both the songwriting skills and fret wizardry of on-off collaborator, Zakk Wylde, on what is probably Ozzy’s final album is practically unforgivable.

Out now

6/10

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