In 1988, Six years after the tragic death of Ozzy's guitarist Rhandy Rhoads, and one year after Jake E. Lee's depart from the band, Ozzy was introduced to a certain Zakk Wylde. Zakk was a young guy of 21 from New Jersey who had been playing in local bars. Ozzy saw in Zakk an enormous amount of talent and diversity. Therfore, he was recruited and Ozzy's new band went into the studio to create No Rest for the Wicked. This album, the fifth studio outing of Ozzy's solo carear, was heavier then anything ozzy had released because of Zakk Wylde's feirce and intense style of playing.
The band:
Ozzy Osbourne: Vocals
Zakk Wylde: Guitar
Randy Castillo: Drums
Bob Daisley: Bass Guitar
NOTE: For the tour that followed this album, Bob Daisley left and Ozzy recruited his old band mate Geezer Butler to play bass.
The tracks:
1) Miracle Man: Exellent guitar intro followed by one of Ozzy's insane laughs and then, shortly after, the bass and drums. The verse is short but pretty heavy with Ozzy singing unusually high. After the chorus, theres some weird voice that sounds like the talk box effect for guitar that says "Miracle Man" and Ozzy replies, "Got Busted". Then after the second chorus theres a pretty fast solo form Zakk that leads back to the riff that was in the intro. The song finishes off with a fade out. Probably amoung the best songs on the album. 4.5/5
2) Devil's Daughter (Holy War): Starts off with a strange, quiet plam muted guitar intro that makes you wanna skip the track. But then the drums kick in and a different, slightly better riff comes in with Zakk's signature pinch harmonics. The verse is not too heavy and kinda bland but then Ozzy goes "I see you..." and a pre chorus kinda part kicks in. Very catchy and very upbeat. Catchy chorus too. "Devil's daughter, you don't want a holy war". After the second chorus theres a bridge with some baby crying followed by a slowER more melodic solo. A pretty good song, but theres better material on the album. 3.5/5
3) Crazy Babies: SUPER heavy guitar intro followed by the drums and bass kicking in. Kinda repetetive song but the heavy, catchy riff along with Ozzy's singing keep you listening. Zakks solo isnt quite as good as some of his others on the record but it passes. The song ends right after the last word of the last chorus. A fun headbanger kinda track. 4/5.
4) Breakin' all the Rules: A dark sounding riff kicks the song off the the guitar, drums and bass starting all at the same time. Soon after they are joined by Ozzy's trademark singing. You can tell that this track is more serious and down to earth than the first three. Very dark and melodic with some great fills here and there from Zakk. The best part of the song is after the second chorus when Ozzy goes:" Breakin' all the rules, can't you see they're nothing without you". Then theres a really heavy riff followed by some fills from Zakk that kinda altogether make a sort of solo that leads into the real solo. You have to hear it to get it. Sorry. The song ends with Ozzy repeating "Breaking all the rules". Great song but not quite among the best of the album. 4/5.
5) Bloodbath In Paradise: Ok. This song kicks some serious headbanging ass. After a strange intro with crowds chanting, an orgasme, and some quote possibly in Latin, an evil and heavy riff comes in acompanied by Mr. Castillo's cymbles. Then anohter faster riff comes in and after a little drum fill the singing starts. The song slows down for a pre chorus but then picks up again during the real chorus. The bridge isnt too strong but the way it kicks back into the verse with Zakk playing the riff alone is priceless. After the last chorus some other riff goes on for a while and then two chords cut it off for an end. Exellent song with tons of heavy moments. Its up there with Miracle Man. 4.5/5.
6)Fire in the Sky: Starts off with some soft sounds and distant druming. Then, 45 seconds into the track an explosive riff kicks in with everyone (exept Ozzy himself). You can imediatly tell this one is serious, kinda like Breakin' all the Rules. The verse is slow and quiet with Ozzy's voice sounding clear and beautiful. Then the song explodes into the chorus with Ozzy's singing seriously at its best. Great lyrics too. Possibly about Ozzy's childhood, but Im not quite sure. After the second chorus theres a kinda epic sounding bridge part with some vocal harmonies. Then Zakk does a short but remarkable solo that fitts in SO perfectly with the song its mind blowing. The song fades out on thee last chorus. Wonderful song. Defenetly THE best one the album. 5/5.
7) Tattooed Dancer: Awesome drum intro followed by a powerslide into a heavy, moderately fast riff.The same riff keeps going as Ozzy begins to sing. The verse is short and so is the chorus. After the second chorus Ozzy screams "My souls on fire" and theres another epic sounding bridge like in Fire in the Sky. Then it goes into a heavy riff followed by one last bit of epic. Ozzy screams "Tattooed Dancer" and then back to the verse. A cool song but nothing too exeptional. 3.5/5
8)Demon Alcohol: This track seems to be filler. Its not too heavy, but its catchy and upbeat. As the title suggests its about alcohol. The lyrics are pretty smart though. For example "Although that one's too much, you know ten's not enough". The whole song is basically alcohol personified as a devil that makes deals with individuals. Not a bad song but as I said, semms to be filler. 3/5.
9)Hero: A good way to finish off the album. Starts with a soft keyboard melody but soon hitts a pretty heavy riff. Ozzy then starts singing over the same riff. Another one of those down to earth and serious songs like Breaking all the Rules and Fire in the Sky. Yet, this song probably has the worst solo on the album. Great album closer, good song in general. 4/5.
Conclusion:
Although many people (including me) find that Blizzard of Ozz was Ozzy Osbournes definitive album as far as his solo carear goes, I do find No Rest for the Wicked quite strong as well. Its overal sound is heavy courtesy of Wyldes playing, and it has some exellent songs on it. It is without a doubt an overlooked album and is actually in my opinion RIGHT behind Blizzard of Ozz. Also, it COMPLETELY ownes any Ozzy album with Jake E. Lee. I strongly recomend this album to any metal fan but do not consider it a "groundgreaker" or a classic but still a strong album.
Final rating: 4/5.
