A week ago we opened up the voting to ask you, our readers to choose the Top 25 albums of 2014. Balloting remains open for another week but we see who is in the lead after the jump. To give you an idea about what an amazing year 2014 has been in our kind of music is that in just a week of voting, we’ve had 66 different records submitted as the Album of the Year. But when we ran the numbers, here’s the Top 25 for the year so far. Before you complain that your favorite album isn’t on the listm, remember, you can change it with your vote. See the link below the list. Heavy Blog is Heavy Readers Top 25 of 2014 Halfway Through the Votes. 1. Fallujah – The Flesh Prevails 2. Archspire – The Lucid Collective 3. The Contortionist – Language 4. Skyharbor – Guiding Lights 5. Ne Obliviscaris – Citadel 6. Animals as Leaders – The Joy of Motion 7. Black Crown Initiate – The Wreckage Of Stars 8. Job For A Cowboy – Sun Eater 9. Beyond Creation – Earthborn Evolution 10. YOB – Clearing the Path to Ascend 11. Devin Townsend Project – Z2 12. Intervals – A Voice Within 13. Behemoth – The Satanist 14. Inferi – The Path of Apotheosis 15. Son of Aurelius – Under a Western Sun 16. Rings of Saturn – Lugal Ki En 17. Allegaeon – Elements of the Infinite 18. Destrage – Are You Kidding Me? No 19. Panopticon – Roads to the North 20. Artificial Brain – Labyrinth Constellation 21. Architects – Lost Forever // Lost Together 22. Cannibal Corpse – A Skeletal Domain 23. Monuments – The Amaneunsis 24. Gridlink – Longhena 25. Code Orange – I Am King Vote for Your Top 25 Metal (or Any Other) Releases of 2014. Click Here to Fill Out the Form You’re also welcome to post your lists in comments or on Facebook but only lists submitted through the form count towards our Final Reader’s List. –BS
Posts Tagged ‘lists!’
Farewell 2014: Your Top 25 Albums So Far (Voting Remains Open)
December 2nd, 2014 
Metalkult 
Posted in News 
Tags: album, Alternative Press, Aphex Twin, arch enemy, architects, archspire, beyond creation, Billboard 200, Cannibal Corpse, form, guiding-lights, infinite, job for a cowboy, lists!, mayhem-festival, metal blade records, rings of saturn, skeletal-domain, Sun-Eater, voice-within, year, yob 
No Comments »Casting Call: Who Should Play Nirvana in a Movie?
February 15th, 2013 Metalkult Universal Music Few bands have made quite the impact that Nirvana did when they exploded onto the scene in the early ’90s. Led by frontman Kurt Cobain and featuring the talents of drummer Dave Grohl and bassist Krist Novoselic , Nirvana revolutionized rock music with their 1991 sophomore album, ‘Nevermind.’ Tragically, Cobain took his own life in 1994, but their music and legacy lives on, making them the perfect subject for a big-screen biopic. But who should play the iconic rockers in a movie? We think we’ve found three very strong candidates to portray the members of Nirvana. Check them out below: Kurt Cobain Played by Joe Anderson Frank Micelotta, Getty Images / IMDB Talk about an uncanny resemblance! Actor Joe Anderson is the spitting image of the late, great Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. While you may have seen Anderson in the Liam Neeson film ‘The Grey’ or the TV series ‘The River,’ he remains relatively unknown, making him a perfect candidate to play the enigmatic Cobain. That said, it’s no easy task portraying a troubled musical genius that changed the face of rock music forever. ? Dave Grohl Played by Efren Ramirez Universal / Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images Along with being an extremely talented drummer, Dave Grohl is one of rock music’s resident funnymen. He was always the jovial member of Nirvana, and has continued to show his sense of humor as the frontman of Foo Fighters. In addition to having similar facial features as Grohl, ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ actor Efren Ramirez can definitely display the musician’s comedic side. So, we say ‘Vote for Pedro’ to play Dave Grohl in the Nirvana movie. ? Krist Novoselic Played by Jason Segel Jeff Kravitz / Jason Merritt, Getty Images The first qualification to play the 6-foot, 6-inch Krist Novoselic is that you gotta be tall. And at 6 foot, 4 inches, ‘How I Met Your Mother’ actor Jason Segel definitely fits the bill, as he also resembles Novoselic. Segel has been known to play a bit of a klutzy oaf in movies, and that experience will come in handy when he re-enacts the scene of Novoselic tossing his bass in the air at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards and having it land on his face. Who do you think should play the members of Nirvana if a biopic was made about them? Let us know in the comments section below. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/casting-call-metallica/” title=”Next Casting Call: Metallica” align=”center”]
Posted in News Tags: anderson, casting call, cobain, efren, jason-segel, lists!, Music, musician, nirvana, novoselic, river, rock, scene, universal-music No Comments »15 Sexiest Rock Music Videos
January 25th, 2013 Metalkult 604 / Geffen / Nothing Despite the fall of MTV’s ‘M’ portion of its programming, the art of the music video is certainly not dead. Rock and metal acts continue to create incredible visual interpretations of their most invaluable tracks, further examining the profound and introspective analysis of the themes studied within their music. This list is not about that. This list is about the Sexiest Rock Music Videos of all time. We’ve all gotten that certain special feeling while experiencing a sexy music video that taps into our most primal urges in just the right way. Some of us make a break for the nearest private space, while others press their eyeballs into their TV and computer screens until they need to be pried loose like the pole-licking scene from ‘A Christmas Story.’ Either way, we’ve got some of the most pants-tightening videos ever released by acts such as Marilyn Manson , Papa Roach , Avenged Sevenfold and many more. We’ve teamed up with Ultimate Classic Rock and Diffuser.fm to bring you 15 of the sexiest rock videos of all time. Click below to enjoy the Sexiest Rock Music Videos! [button href=”http://loudwire.com/marilyn-manson-mobscene-sexiest-rock-music-videos” title=”See the Sexiest Rock Music Videos Here” align=”center”]
Posted in News Tags: christmas, examining, eyeballs, list, lists!, marilyn manson, most, Music, music-videos, sexiest, special-feeling, studied-within No Comments »10 Best Shinedown Songs
January 10th, 2013 Metalkult Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com It's pretty much impossible to turn on rock radio without hearing one or more Shinedown songs. In the 10 years since they released their debut album, the Florida rockers have proven themselves to be one of the most reliable hit-makers of the 21st century. They've churned out hit radio tracks even as they expand their range beyond hard rock to include textured mid-tempo tracks and even tender ballads. With their latest album, 'Amaryllis,' Shinedown have continued their hit-making streak with more chart-topping singles. So, we give props to the band with our list of the 10 Best Shinedown Songs: ? 10 'If You Only Knew' From: 'The Sound of Madness' (2008) ? ? Sunny, airy acoustic guitars shimmer throughout this surprisingly lighthearted and upbeat track from Shinedown's third album, 2008's 'The Sound of Madness.' If it weren't for the pounding drums, you could almost call this an adult contemporary ballad, what with the epic proclamations of love, the strings, and, wait, are those bells? Listen to 'If You Only Knew' ? ? 9 'Bully' From: 'Amaryllis' (2012) ? ? There was plenty of aggression bubbling over on Shinedown's 'Amaryllis' album, beginning with the lead single, 'Bully.' The issue-oriented track dealt with some of the troubles going on in schools these days, with singer Brent Smith taking the opportunity to encourage those being bullied to stand up for themselves. The anthemic track is quite empowering with a sing-along chorus as well. Listen to 'Bully' ? ? 8 'The Crow & the Butterfly' From: The Sound of Madness' (2008) ? ? Guitarist Zach Myers' epic, melodic lead guitar work further ratchets up the intensity throughout the second half of this already stormy song from 2008's 'The Sound of Madness.' Reportedly, the song is about a mother whose young son dies, but the lyrics also mention the pair “getting high as outer space” together, so let's hope this is a friend they're talking about. Listen to 'The Crow & the Butterfly' ? ? 7 'Fly From the Inside' From: 'Leave a Whisper' (2003) ? ? You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and that's especially true for rock bands. So, the opening song on Shinedown's 2003 debut 'Leave a Whisper' needed to kick some butt and tell people what they're about quickly. The band wastes little time doing just that here, mixing hard rock riffs with a heightened sense of dynamics and a huge, anthemic chorus. Listen to 'Fly From the Inside' ? ? 6 'Devour' From: 'The Sound of Madness' (2008) ? ? Eschewing their more recent tendencies towards more dynamic music, Shinedown let it rip old-school style on the double-barreled opening track and first single from 2008's 'The Sound of Madness.' Reportedly an anti-love song to then-president George W. Bush, the track features lead singer Brent Smith railing against a clueless leader who is suffocating his own empire due to his own greed. Listen to 'Devour' ? ? 5 'Enemies' From: 'Amaryllis' (2012) ? ? What better to work out your aggressions than in song? That's the path Shinedown followed with 'Enemies,' an in-your-face confessional between warring sides. Not only does the track rock, but there's a certain amount of swing brought to the track by drummer Barry Kerch as well. This one's great to get your blood boiling. Listen to 'Enemies' ? ? 4 'Second Chance' From: 'The Sound of Madness' (2008) ? ? Supposedly, Shinedown themselves weren't very big fans of this tune, the appropriately titled second single from 'Sound of Madness,' when they first wrote it. Luckily, they gave the track a — wait for it — second chance, as it ended up being their biggest hit to date, a platinum selling smash that reached the charts on a wide variety of radio station formats. Listen to 'Second Chance' ? ? 3 'Save Me' From: 'Us and Them' (2005) ? ? Shinedown sing of a drug addict looking for salvation on this, the first single from their 2005 sophomore album 'Us and Them.' The repetitive, somber opening bass line helps to capture the mindset of a junkie living in day after day world of pills, needles and spoons, unable to muster the strength to break free on their own. Listen to 'Save Me' ? ? 2 'The Sound of Madness' From: 'The Sound of Madness' (2008) ? ? Shinedown breaks out their best Metallica impression on this riff-heavy slice of metal, which served as the title track to their third album. Lead singer Brent Smith, in particular, drops his voice down a notch and adds some menace, sounding eerily like James Hetfield as he calls out self-pitying so called “rebels” who really are just avoiding responsibility. Listen to 'The Sound of Madness' ? ? 1 '45' From: 'Leave a Whisper' (2003) ? ? Even if you ignore the fact that this song was the band's first major single, and therefore an important introduction to their brand of drama-filled melodic hard rock, this tune's powerful message about living each day to the fullest makes it one of the top Shinedown tracks. There was some controversy about the song's gun-related lyrics, but if you listen they hardly glorify violence — instead using the weapon as a metaphor for a person staring down big changes in their life. Listen to '45' ? ? What's Your Favorite Shinedown Song? What tune on our list of the 10 Best Shinedown Songs do you like the most? Or, if there's a Shinedown track we missed, let us know in comments section below: ?
Posted in News Tags: a-second-chance, band, florida, inside, lists!, original features, shinedown, songs, Sound, voice No Comments »10 Best Marilyn Manson Songs
January 5th, 2013 Metalkult Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Marilyn Manson 's best songs document a career that is unlike any other that came before him. Mixing a rock 'n' roll mentality with electronic elements and profound lyrics narrating the progression of society in real time, Manson has developed a polarizing identity as both a beloved hero and a reviled villain. Although Manson has experienced major highs and lows throughout his many years in the public eye, he now finds himself rejuvenated and nominated for a 2013 Grammy Award. To celebrate the career of the Antichrist Superstar, we've put together our list of the 10 Best Marilyn Manson Songs: ? 10 'Astonishing Panorama of the Endtimes' From: 'Celebrity Deathmatch Soundtrack' (1999) ? ? The full-speed-ahead rock track 'Astonishing Panorama of the Endtimes' was never actually included within any Marilyn Manson album. In fact, this track was exclusively released for the official soundtrack of the legendary claymation MTV series 'Celebrity Deathmatch.' Opening up the soundtrack, the song contains some sweet muddy shredding along with the captivating line, “Kill your god and kill your TV.” Listen to 'Astonishing Panorama of the Endtimes' ? ? 9 'The Nobodies' From: 'Holy Wood' (2000) ? ? After the Columbine school shooting of 1999, Marilyn Manson was one of many scapegoats targeted by a national media scrambling to make sense of the tragedy. After refusing to publicly speak of the incident as a protest against media sensationalism, Manson released 'The Nobodies' as the third single from his 2000 album, 'Holy Wood.' The song characterizes the Columbine shooters' rise from nobodies to household names, while taking a shot at the media with the line, “You should have seen the ratings that day.” Listen to 'The Nobodies' ? ? 8 'The Dope Show' From: 'Mechanical Animals' (1998) ? ? During the height of Manson's shocking persona, the sonic artist released 'The Dope Show' as the lead single for his 1998 album, 'Mechanical Animals.' The lurching track trudges through the subjects of American materialism, consumerism and the vast emptiness found within corporate control over creativity. In the legendary video for 'The Dope Show,' Manson appears as a sexless, soulless, manufactured product rather than a human being. Listen to 'The Dope Show' ? ? 7 'No Reflection' From: 'Born Villain' (2012) ? ? After going through a self-confessed low point in his career, Marilyn Manson chose to reevaluate his identity as an artist by surrounding himself with nothingness so he'd be forced to create. The result was Manson's best album in over a decade, 'Born Villain.' The album's lead single, 'No Reflection,' is brilliantly claustrophobic and one of Manson's strongest tracks to date. The song has even been nominated for a 2013 Grammy Award. Listen to 'No Reflection' ? ? 6 'The Fight Song' From: 'Holy Wood' (2000) ? ? Although many of Marilyn Manson's greatest works pull the listener into an eerie and uncomfortable, yet beautiful realm ('Speed of Pain' / 'The Last Day on Earth'), the musician has created some true anthems throughout his career. 'The Fight Song' is easily one of Manson's most powerful anthems, showcasing a contagious power along with compelling lyrics such as, “I'm not a slave to a god that doesn't exist / And I'm not a slave to a world that doesn't give a s–t.” Listen to 'The Fight Song' ? ? 5 'Tourniquet' From: 'Antichrist Superstar' (1996) ? ? From the 'Antichrist Superstar' album, 'Tourniquet' begins with the reversed message, “This is my most vulnerable moment.” Manson takes on the metaphorical role of a tourniquet, built on it's physically constricting yet life-saving qualities. Is Manson's message masochistic in nature? Do his lyrics address a relationship with substance abuse? Perhaps both … Perhaps neither. Either way, music is all about personal interpretation, and Manson gives his followers a lot to sink their teeth into with 'Tourniquet.' Listen to 'Tourniquet' ? ? 4 'Disposable Teens' From: 'Holy Wood' (2000) ? ? With a simple but powerful guitar lead introducing the essential track, 'Disposable Teens' was the first single released by Manson in the new millennium. Having penned a multitude of songs inspired by the teenage years, 'Disposable Teens' is one of Manson's greatest lyrical accomplishments, evidenced by lines such as, “And I'm a black rainbow / And I'm an ape of god / I've got a face that's made for violence upon / And I'm a teen distortion / Survived abortion / A rebel from the waist down.” Listen to 'Disposable Teens' ? ? 3 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' From: 'Smells Like Children' (1995) ? ? Few artists can take another band's signature track and create a brilliant cover with its own distinct identity. Eurythmics released 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' in 1983, selling more than one million copies of the single in the United States alone. Although the original song is widely known as a masterpiece, Marilyn Manson abducted the synth standard in 1995, stripping apart its pop dermis and filling the void with twisted darkness. Listen to 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' ? ? 2 'Coma White' From: 'Mechanical Animals' (1998) ? ? There are few songs that dedicated Mansonites hold closer to their warm bodies than 'Coma White.' In the mind of Marilyn Manson, the color white represents a sense of “numbness” felt by the musician from both drug use and public scrutiny. The forefront version of 'Coma White' is found at the end of 'Mechanical Animals,' but there also exists a breathtaking acoustic version of the song, which is essential listening for both hardcore fans and those unfamiliar with Manson's music. Listen to 'Coma White' ? ? 1 'The Beautiful People' From: 'Antichrist Superstar' (1996) ? ? The anthem of all Manson anthems, 'The Beautiful People,' comes in at No. 1 on our list. With a heavy drum presence, sinister chants and an unforgettable guitar line mixed in with Manson's hushed whisper of the song's reprise, 'The Beautiful People' challenges societal materialism, which Manson labels as “the culture of beauty.” Instead of painstakingly weeding out all those he sings against, Manson takes a much simpler route heard in the lyrics, “There's no time to discriminate / Hate every motherf—er that's in your way.” Listen to 'The Beautiful People' ? ? What's Your Favorite Marilyn Manson Song? Which of our 10 Marilyn Manson song picks is your favorite? If your personal favorite didn't make our list, post it in the comments section below! ?
10 Best Slipknot Songs
December 8th, 2012 Metalkult Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com The best Slipknot songs are bred from the band's Midwestern roots, as the masked marauders from Des Moines, Iowa, have taken the blood, sweat and tears of their blue-collar upbringing and poured it into their music. Slipknot are a way of life for their fans — affectionately dubbed maggots — because they managed to distill fury into manic, artfully constructed, unforgettable songs that still bash you over the skull. They are masterful with their metal, but on a deeper level, it's their skillful playing, carves-space-in-your-cranium melodies and their full on assault on all senses that make Slipknot one of the most important metal bands ever. With great difficulty, we've made our picks for the 10 Best Slipknot Songs: ? 10 'Vermilion Pt. 2' From: 'Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses)' (2004) ? ? Slipknot are known for heavier-than-granite metal. But a fragile song like 'Vermilion Pt. 2' demonstrates an artistry not unlike, say, Radiohead. The band's mastery of dynamics is evident in this original and this sequel. Sometimes you need to show your softer side to further demonstrate just how aggressive you are. 'Part 2' is a testament to late bassist Paul Gray's rock solid songwriting, as well. Listen to 'Vermilion Pt. 2' ? ? 9 'Spit It Out' From: 'Slipknot' (1999) ? ? If you've seen Slipknot live, you know this is the song where Corey Taylor commands the entire crowd to sit on the ground and jump to their feet on his command. That's power. That's two decades worth of connection with the maggots, which has been drafted in blood, adrenaline, testosterone and any other bodily fluid, substance or hormone your sick mind can possibly imagine. Listen to 'Spit It Out' ? ? 8 'The Heretic Anthem' From: 'Iowa' (2001) ? ? Only in Slipknot's feral claws and paws could a lyric like “If you're 555, I'm 666″ still sound nastier than Regan's green vomit in 'The Exorcist.' It's true that 'Iowa' is the slaughterhouse of Slipknot records: every song drips blood, guts, venom, bile and vomit. That's a good thing when you're talking metal, and 'Heretic Anthem' captures all of those elements in one fell swoop. Listen to 'The Heretic Anthem' ? ? 7 '(sic)' From: 'Slipknot' (1999) ? ? Go watch 'Alien.' You know that scene where the alien bursts from Kane's chest? The graphic horror and vicious energy of that scene is bottled and captured by 'Sic,' thanks to the battering ram percussion, machine gunned riffs and Taylor's battle cry. This is music from and for the frontlines of a warzone. Here comes the pain! Listen to '(sic)' ? ? 6 'Left Behind' From: 'Iowa' (2001) ? ? 'Left Behind' is the lead single from 'Iowa' and it's one of Slipknot's standout songs as it shows off the band's attention to and knack for melody, without losing its meaty, metal edge. It's one of those beautiful moments where you can tap your toes to the music, all the while wanting to start a carnage-inducing moshpit. That's not easy to do, but in Slipknot's mitts, it seems so simple. Listen to 'Left Behind' ? ? 5 'Psychosocial' 'All Hope Is Gone' (2008) ? ? 'Psychosocial' is a chunky, choppy track, with an infectious chorus. That's not usually how one would describe an exhaustingly heavy metal track, but this is Slipknot we're talking about. Equally riffy and percussive, 'Psychosocial' is fueled by the pulse of the maggots. Listen to 'Psychosocial' ? ? 4 'People = S–t' From: 'Iowa' (2001) ? ? Slipknot weren't masking their intentions with 'People = S–t.' Only nine bandits from Iowa could effectively capture the dregs of humanity with a metal song so effectively. It's one of the best Slipknot songs thanks to the way it helps one achieve catharsis and an understanding of the depths to which your fellow man can sink. Listen to 'People = S—' ? ? 3 'Wait and Bleed' From: 'Slipknot' (1999) ? ? 'Wait and Bleed' is a standout track not only for its jostling construction, but for the fact that it lets vocalist Corey Taylor take center stage. His guttural growls could make the hairs on your neck stand bolt upright. As for his melodic croon? That's what set him apart. The band never, ever sounds soft. The melodic elements merely provided a foil to enhance the extreme parts. Listen to 'Wait and Bleed' ? ? 2 'Duality' From: 'Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses)' ? ? Slipknot's brutal, extreme nature is never in question, but with 'Duality,' the lead single from their third album, the masker marauders were able to perfect their formula of maelstrom with melody. Never did pushing your fingers into your eyes sound like such an appealing behavior. Listen to 'Duality' ? ? 1 'Surfacing' From: 'Slipknot' (1999) ? ? 'Surfacing' is your new national anthem. With the squealing opening, frenetic, chaotic percussion and Corey Taylor's ferocity, it's the definitive Slipknot song because it gives a comprehensive look over everything Slipknot is: feral, uncontainable, artistically elevated. There was never anything like Slipknot before them and even thought there have been copycats, there will never truly be anything that rivals or equals them. Listen to 'Surfacing' ? ? What Is Your Favorite Slipknot Song? You've read our list. Now it's time for your opinion. What Slipknot song was missing from the list that you thought should be there? What song should have been higher on the list and what song got too much credit? Share your thoughts on this list in the comments section below: ?
Posted in News Tags: a-deeper-level, behind, blue, corey taylor, list, lists!, Music, songs No Comments »10 Best Ozzy Osbourne Solo Songs
December 3rd, 2012 Metalkult Larry Busacca, Getty Images As the ’70s turned into the ’80s, Ozzy Osbourne was trying to figure out his next move after his ousting from Black Sabbath . What he did was embark on a very successful solo career that was lasted more than 30 years. In addition to releasing a number of memorable tunes over the past three decades, Ozzy has selected some virtuoso musicians to record with him, including the incomparable Randy Rhoads and the very talented Zakk Wylde. While Osbourne has reunited with Sabbath on several occasions and is recording a new album with the heavy metal legends, we’re taking a look at some of the best music that Osbourne’s solo career has produced. So, stick with us as we take our “shot in the dark” at counting down the 10 Best Ozzy Osbourne Solo Songs: 10 ‘Over the Mountain’ From: ‘Diary of a Madman’ (1981) If you need some drums to kick your ass, Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Over the Mountain’ might just do the trick. Lee Kerslake’s furious flurry of beats not only kicks off the song but also offers the opening notes of the ‘Diary of a Madman’ album. The fantastical Osbourne track takes listeners through a dreamland with an invitation to join him on his journey. Listen to ‘Over the Mountain’ 9 ‘Suicide Solution’ From: ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ (1980) ‘Suicide Solution’ may be the most controversial songs Ozzy Osbourne has ever released. Osbourne stated that the song was a tribute to the late Bon Scott, who died of alcohol poisoning, while bassist Bob Daisley who wrote the track says that Osbourne himself, who was struggling with alcoholism, was the inspiration. There was also the matter of the title, which sparked a lawsuit when a depressed teen shot himself. But controversy or not, the song rocks with Randy Rhoads’ chugging guitar and Osbourne’s wail leading the way. Listen to ‘Suicide Solution’ 8 ‘Gets Me Through’ From: ‘Down to Earth’ (2001) What is Ozzy really all about? The singer attempted to clear it up in the 2001 song ‘Gets Me Through,’ which he wrote as a thank you and explanation to his fans. In the song, Osbourne states, “ I’m not the Anti-Christ or the Iron Man ,” thus separating the man from the image. The song itself starts with keyboard before guitarist Zakk Wylde, bassist Robert Trujillo and drummer Mike Bordin grunge up this trudging rocker. Listen to ‘Gets Me Through’ 7 ‘Mr. Crowley’ From: ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ (1980) ‘Mr. Crowley’ is a solid choice for the 10 best Ozzy Osbourne songs as it smoothed the singer’s transition from Black Sabbath frontman to solo artist. Osbourne’s dark side fully intact, the singer created a song about black magic practitioner Aleister Crowley and his sinister ways. The track launches with the distinctive organ solo from Don Airey before the rhythmic rocker kicks in. Listen to ‘Mr. Crowley’ 6 ‘Shot in the Dark’ From: ‘The Ultimate Sin’ (1986) ‘Shot in the Dark’ makes the 10 best Ozzy Osbourne songs as one of the more instantly recognizable tracks of the singer’s career. The catchy mid-’80s rocker was penned by bassist Phil Soussan and altered to Osbourne’s specifications. Easily one of the more radio-friendly songs of the singer’s career, the track does still rock with wailing guitar work from Jake E. Lee and a driving beat laid down by Randy Castillo. Listen to ‘Shot in the Dark’ 5 ‘Flying High Again’ From: ‘Diary of a Madman’ (1981) Osbourne’s affinity for drugs did occasionally find its way into song and ‘Flying High Again’ is a perfect example. In the lyrics, Osbourne shares his concern, stating, “ Mama’s gonna worry / I been a bad, bad boy / No use sayin’ sorry / It’s something I enjoy .” Then rationalizing his behavior, he adds, “ If you could be inside of me / you’d see, you’d see what light I see / flyin’ high again, alright! “ Listen to ‘Flying High Again’ 4 ‘Mama I’m Coming Home’ From: ‘No More Tears’ (1991) Here’s the rare non-rocker on our list of 10 best Ozzy Osbourne songs. But this song was a major hit in the era of the power ballad and its success was all the sweeter for Osbourne as it was a love song to his wife Sharon. The track, co-written with Zakk Wylde and Lemmy Kilmister , was penned about his proposed retirement from music and his return home to his lady love after his support of the album was complete. Listen to ‘Mama I’m Coming Home’ 3 ‘Bark at the Moon’ From: ‘Bark at the Moon’ (1983) ‘Bark at the Moon’ finds Osbourne once again digging into mythical territory for inspiration, as the track follows a beast that terrorizes a town, was killed and then was resurrected to wreak even more havoc. Musically, the guitar work from Jake E. Lee is top notch with a driving riff that is easily one of the most recognizable licks from Osbourne’s catalog. Listen to ‘Bark at the Moon’ 2 ‘No More Tears’ From: ‘No More Tears’ (1991) Ozzy Osbourne stated in his ‘Prince of Darkness’ liner notes that the song ‘No More Tears’ was “a gift from God,” and we’re not ones to disagree. The Bob Daisley bass line that opens the track pulls the listener in, while chugging Zakk Wylde guitar licks propel the song’s verses. The track also features an extensive bridge infused with keyboards, piano and what sounds like a string backing before finishing out with a fury. Listen to ‘No More Tears’ 1 ‘Crazy Train’ From: ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ (1980) No surprise here — ‘Crazy Train’ is the best Ozzy Osbourne song of all time. It’s the song that signified that Osbourne’s move to a solo career was a wise one. Guitarist Randy Rhoads “doubled” his parts for the song’s very difficult solo, in the process delivering one of the most admired licks in rock history. As for the lyrical content, Osbourne addressed the crazy state of the world during the Cold War and offered the uplifting message, “ Maybe it’s not too late / To learn how to love and forget how to hate .” Simply put, ‘Crazy Train’ is not only one of Ozzy’s best, but one of the best rock songs ever. Listen to ‘Crazy Train’ What Is Your Favorite Ozzy Osbourne Song? We’ve show you our list and now it’s your turn to tell us if we got it right. What is your favorite Ozzy Osbourne song and did it make the list where you think it should have? Is there something we completely missed that you can’t believe didn’t make the cut? If so, what song would you knock off to replace it? Let us know your thoughts on the 10 Best Ozzy Osbourne Solo Songs list in the comments section below.
Posted in News Tags: coming-home, flying-high, inspiration, lists!, metal features, mountain, osbourne, ozzy osbourne, track, train, wife No Comments »
