Ozzy Osbourne is a man synonymous with rock and roll excess. From biting off bat heads to wild stage antics, the Prince of Darkness has cultivated an image of fearless rebellion. So, when the enigmatic frontman expresses shame over a piece of his own work, it’s bound to raise eyebrows.
Amongst a career filled with iconic anthems and legendary performances, there’s one Black Sabbath album that haunts Osbourne. A record so abhorrent to him that it elicits feelings of disgust and embarrassment.
It’s a rare glimpse into the mind of a rock icon, a moment of vulnerability amidst the bravado. Join us as we delve into the depths of Ozzy’s discography to uncover the album that the Prince of Darkness himself considers a stain on his legacy.
A Band on the Brink
Black Sabbath’s journey to creating Never Say Die! was far from harmonious. A stark contrast to the camaraderie that fueled their debut album, the band was grappling with internal strife, personal turmoil, and external pressures.
Tensions reached a boiling point, leading Ozzy Osbourne to temporarily abandon the group. The Prince of Darkness candidly recounts in his memoir, I Am Ozzy, the toxic environment that precipitated his departure.
The constant haggling over finances and legal matters had taken a toll on the band’s dynamics, ultimately driving him to leave the studio in frustration. The breakup of Black Sabbath, he likened to the end of a marriage, characterized by a mutual desire to inflict pain.
A Temporary Fix and a Creative Decline
To fill the void left by Ozzy, Black Sabbath enlisted former Fleetwood Mac singer Dave Walker. However, this arrangement was short-lived as Osbourne soon rejoined the band. While the return to the familiar lineup offered a sense of normalcy, the underlying tensions within the group persisted.
Osbourne acknowledges a noticeable shift in his relationship with Tony Iommi, and a general lack of enthusiasm for the project. Despite these challenges, the band pressed on, ultimately titling the album Never Say Die!
The impact of these tumultuous events on the album’s quality is undeniable. Both critics and band members have been vocal about the decline in Black Sabbath’s signature sound. Bassist Geezer Butler attributes this to a departure from their core identity in favor of a more melodic direction, a decision they later regretted.
“Never Say Die! is Easily the Worst Album We Did”
Butler is unequivocal in his assessment of Never Say Die!, labeling it “easily the worst album we did”. He attributes this failure to their misguided attempt at self-management and production, a venture for which they were woefully unprepared.
The overwhelming legal and financial burdens during this period significantly hindered their creative output, resulting in a subpar album. Ozzy shares a similar sentiment about this era of Black Sabbath. He describes the final albums as a depressing experience, driven primarily by financial motivations rather than artistic passion.
Never Say Die! in particular is a source of deep shame for him, a project he considers utterly repulsive. This album marked the end of Osbourne’s tenure with Black Sabbath for nearly three decades.