Six years on since 2001's largely forgettable DOWN TO EARTH, BLACK RAIN marks a bit of a comeback for Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy's live band (featuring longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde, drummer Mike Bordin, and bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson) were called to arms at Oz's Los Angeles home studio to deliver the kind of heavy grooves and down-tuned hard rock that sate fans old and new. Wylde's trademark vibrato and false harmonics on the opening track, in particular, set a hard-hitting tone for this fresh set of tracks.

Lyrically Ozzy makes some familiar anti-war statements ("Black Rain" and "Countdown's Begun"), delivers social and political commentary ("Almighty Dollar" and "Civilize The Universe"), and offers affection for his fans and loved ones ("Here For You" and "Lay Your World On Me"). Clean and sober for over two years, the self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness is in remarkably strong and healthy form on BLACK RAIN