ozzy osbourne - randy rhoads tribute

this tribute compilation of live recordings with randy rhoads perfectly showcases the guitarists song-writing skills and live abilities. the presentation does the occasion justice, too. love the photo collages on the dust sleeves. originally released in 1987. judging by the centre labels, my copy must be an early 90's re-issue. epic records.

ozzy osbourne - just say ozzy

a little live e.p. to shorten the wait for the then up-coming full length album 'no more tears'. that was the idea behind this release from 1990. one of my favourite line-ups with zakk, randy and geezer butler of sabbath fame on bass. first european pressing on epic records.

cradle of filth - dusk and her embrace... the original sin

would have loved a re-issue of the re-recorded official release from 1996, but the time for that will come. this is another cool mix of the album with a great back story.

500 copies made on gold vinyl. great presentation all around. only the track list got completely mixed up. made myself a little cheat sheet with the correct list. darkness shall rise productions. 2025.

ozzy osbourne - no more tears

one of his commercially most successful albums and a peak in his career. to me as a millennial, that's the time i know ozzy from. this one is full of bangers. 'mama, i'm coming home', 'i don't want to change the world', 'desire' or the title track 'no more tears' - all were huge hits and still hold up well. though i prefer his 80's records nowadays, i can't deny the brilliancy of this milestone album. the band around randy castillo and zakk wylde was super tight, too.

nice double lp re-issue on 180gr vinyl from 2021. a shame they didn't include a lyric sheet. epic records. 1991.

ozzy osbourne - no rest for the wicked

took me a few spins to warm up with the zakk wylde incarnation of ozzy's solo band, but now i love it. european first pressing in prime condition. epic records. 1988.

cradle of filth - vempire or dark faerytales in phallustein

had this one on the wantlist forever, it seems. now finally an affordable reissue fills the void. and such a great looking one, too. transparent orange w/ black marble vinyl out of 850 copies. darkness shall rise records under exclusive liscence by cacaphonous records. 1996/2025.

ozzy osbourne - the ultimate sin

the fourth records of ozzy's solo career is a triumph, plain and simple. songs like the title track, 'never' or 'fool like you' are pure 80's metal gold. 1986 european pressing on epic records.

ozzy osbourne - bark at the moon

the first ozzy album to feature guitarist jake e. lee. this album is packed with belters like the title track, 'forever (centre of eternity)' or 'waiting for darkness'. love the cover shot with ozz in full werewolf make up in particular.

this is an european pressing, which can be identified by the blue lettering on the cover instead of red. as far as my information goes, this is even a first press. epic records. 1983.

ozzy osbourne - diary of a madman

after ozzy passed away a few weeks ago, i set out to listen to his solo stuff more profoundly. i had 'blizzard of ozz' in the collection since the reissue from 2021, so i started with his 2nd album 'diary of a madman'.

bought this european repress from the early 80's via ebay. musically this surpasses the already fantastic debut. the back-up band around randy rhoads was a menace and ozzy's unique voice shines above it all. epic records. 1981.

death - individual thought patterns

always thought that these back on black pressings looked better than the sparkly foil print relapse copies these days. less is sometimes more.

musically this album is a wild, proggy death metal ride which never seizes to amaze me. in my opinion their 2nd best, right after 'human'. back on black. 2010.