I was recently listening to clip of Ozzy Osborne’s new song “Le Me Hear You Scream” and I didn’t hear the trademark Zakk Wilde guitar sound. Will the absense of Zakk hurt Ozzy’s sound, image and sales? Basically, he didn’t fire him but he didn’t ask him back.

According to Road Runner Record’s interview with Ozzy, “It’s not changed that much, apart from the fact that I thought I was beginning to sound like, um … what’s his band called? Zakk’s band. My brain, it just started on the left side. BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. I started to sound like BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. I don’t want anyone to think for one minute that I fired him. I never fired him. He never left. There was nothing to leave. Because all he was doing was his gig and mine. It kind of got to us crashing into each other. But I had to let go, because it’s me rather than him.”

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=141669

Ozzy Osbourne’s heavy metal music is legendary and during his career he has selected the greatest guitarists to represent his sound. Randy Rhoades’ tragic helicopter crash forced Ozzy to find a replacement and enthusiastically was enamored by Zakk Wylde.

Zakk is one of the greatest guitar players of all-time. His sound is unique and his playing ability is natural and quick. However, after listening to Ozzy’s last album Black Rain, I think Mr. Wylde is now actually hurting Ozzy instead of helping him. Why?

From the beginning of Zakk Wylde’s guitar playing he has used the technique which has been called an “Elephant Roar” and the end of riffs. If you aren’t sure what I am saying, then listen to this elephant roar. Then listen to countless tunes of Zakk and you will notice that as his career progressed so did the number of “Elephant Roars” per song. On Ozzy’s last studio album Black Rain, at the end of almost every riff Zakk throws in an “Elephant Roar”. In the past, I enjoyed this sound, however after the twentieth time in a three minute period, it can become rather annoying.

Thus, I am trying to say that Ozzy needs to look for another guitar player or tell Zakk to tone down the roars. From the last lower than expected albums sales, it seems something isn’t clicking and Zakk Wlyde’s “Elephant Roars” could be one of the reasons.