John Michael Osbourne (a.k.a. Ozzy Osbourne, Ozz, The Madman, The Godfather of Metal, The Prince of F'ing Darkness, etc.) Is fifty-eight years old, and thirty-six of those years have been spent making heavy metal. Recent rumors started by wife Sharon of Ozzy retiring, and rumors of this summer's Ozzfest being his last, fans were starting to wonder what would come of The Ozzman. But he has recently dismissed all retirement rumors, and with ninth studio album, this year's "Black Rain," and song titles like "Not Going Away" and "I Don't Wanna Stop," it appears Ozzy doesn't see any end in sight for his long and legendary career.

So what is his secret of lasting so long in the music industry? It's quite simple, really: Write good songs. Ever since debuting with Black Sabbath way back in 1970, Ozzy and his band have written quality, complete songs that combine excellent, crunchy riffs, killer solos, and a tight rhythm section, with memorable hooks, a keen ear for melody, and (rare in this day and age) good, well-thought-out and often thought-provoking lyrics.

"Black Rain" marks a return for Ozzy, since it has been six years since his last solo studio album, 2001's "Down To Earth." And boy, is it great to have him back! Sometimes there's nothing else in the world like a great Ozzy disc. "Black Rain" may come up a bit short in surprises, and there may be no immediate classics (i.e. 1980's "Crazy Train," 1981's "Over The Mountain," etc.), but so friggin' what? This album rocks! Listening to this album literally had me smiling from ear to ear!

"Black Rain" covers all of the bases you want from a modern day Ozzy album, so everybody who is or was at one time a fan of his music should be very satisfied with this release. The first song, the aforementioned "Not Going Away," begins with longtime guitar god Zakk Wylde unleashing one of his hallmark killer, meaty, dazzling, terrifically brutal, and almost trance-inducing headbanging riffs. The rest of the song is a bit repetitious from a lyrical standpoint, but it is of note for its wailing solo, ominously moaning guitar noise, creepy whispers of the title phrase. Lead single "I Don't Wanna Stop," has more strong, crunching, churning, grinding licks, a bobbing rhythm, a winding solo, and a very catchy chorus. Songs like the title track and "Countdown's Begun" are fairly mid-tempo, but they gradually ascend to higher speeds (plus the latter also features a positively blazing solo). Next, there are the obligatory ballads: "Lay Your World On Me" is an especially dreamy tune with acoustic strumming, a few keys, a grumbling bass line, and lyrics that are downright sweet without being sappy. (Examples: "I'm here if you need a friend," "Give me your strength/give me your anger," "Let me be your rock/ I can be the pillar of strength that you need," and "Lay your world on me/I can take the weight.") The album's second ballad, "Here For You," isn't as effective as the first, but it's still very listenable, and includes a driving piano and a nicely melodic solo.

Elsewhere, "11 Silver" is a more up-tempo piece complete with a very catchy rhythm (including a chant of "Hey! Hey! Hey!"), and a remarkably ripping solo. The album's centerpiece, "The Almighty Dollar," is also the longest song on here. It boasts a similar, and equally-as-great-and-intense riffing as "Not Going Away," and is also highlighted by an irresistibly hooky and infectious chorus. And lastly, the set closer, "Trap Door," is bolstered by almost thunderous guitars, catchy singing, and a very deep, heavy, adherent and memorable groove.

So yeah, this is good stuff. "Black Rain" isn't a mindblowing album, but it is indisputably awesome that Ozzy can still turn out music of such high quality after so many years. This is a very strong, solid, cohesive, and focused album (ten tracks and forty-six minutes in length); it is one of the Ozzman's better releases of the past sixteen years, and is highly recommended to all fans.

You'd have to go back to 1980 (

) to find an Ozzy studio solo album that had more than 3 songs on it that you just played over and over again. Of course, my statement is all a matter of opinion, but I'm willing to bet that only devout Ozzy fans would disagree.

Unfortunately, Black Rain and Ozzy's 2001 (

) release are similar in that they have less than 3 compelling tracks each. Only Black Rain's first two tracks "Not Going Away" & "I Don't Wanna Stop" are classic Ozzy rockers; the other 8 tracks on Black Rain are typical Ozzy fillers.

Zakk Wylde's final comment in an interview that he and Ozzy gave in the July issue of Revolver

] sums it all up perfectly: Zakk was asked how Black Rain sounds, and he said, "It sounds like a ******* Ozzy record, brother!" (The article is quite short and funny if you've got two minutes to spend with it at your local bookseller.) And Zakk's statement couldn't be more true. There are no surprises. Black Rain sounds just like you think it will too.

On Black Rain the awesome Robert Trujillo is out on bass and Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (of Rob Zombie fame) is in. The rest of the line up is Metal's best guitarist on the circuit, Zakk Wylde, and on drums with his second go-around is Mike Bordin.

Look, this review in no way reflects my total respect for Ozzy coming out at 60 years old to give us some more music, nor does it acknowledge the history that the man has given to Metal. And I apologize for that. (See my 5/8/2007 review of Ozzy's 2002 DVD Live at Budokan

for a better perspective of the kind of Ozzy fan that I am.) But Black Rain just doesn't do it for me.

Sorry, fans. You may now proceed to hit the NO vote.

This is one of the best Metal offerings of the last 30 years! Its both fresh and old school at once. Filled with both dread and hope, intensely personal, but never egotystical Ozzy opens up some very private trials and tribulations in his life and also expresses his concerns about the world we are leaving behind for our grandchildren, all in a very down to earth intelligent, not preachy manner that makes him seem like one of us rather than as if he sees himself as a saviour. Or some mega rock star messiah ... He always seems amazed at his own success and longevity. Very refreshing!

Musically it is solid, not overly produced , almost simple but still rocking relentlessly, plus Ozzy plays harmonica again... cool! It reminds me more of an early Sabbath offering than a solo Ozzy one, his footing seems more like that of a new artist offering his work to be judged than that of an icon resulting in a work of substance rather than fodder for fans who will accept the work on the name of the artist alone.

You can tell all the way from Ozzy's vocals to Mike "Puffy" Bordin's drums that the producer of this album put everyone at ease so they could perform their best.

Great songs, great lyrics, great musicianship...buy it!

I can't belive how may people claim to be hardcore Ozzy fans, and then rip this album because there are 2 slower songs on it, which they say is out of character from "old" Ozzy, or they rip on the album for being political. Ozzy has been doing slow songs, and being political since Black Sabbath. Has anyone heard Goodbye to Romance, Changes, Revelation Mother Earth, Mama I'm Coming Home, Time After Time, Dee,...etc... all slow songs. Politcal!!! He has always bene political as was Sabbath. Go back and actually listen to the lyrics in the older songs.

On this album, there are some great guitar riffs and solos by Zakk, and Ozzy's voice sounds very strong. This isn't the type of album that's immediately catchy, and then you get sick of after two weeks. There's no major hit to warrant a 5 star rating. It's the type of album that you have to listen to about 10 or more times to fully digest and appreciate which is nice. If you want catchy and danceable, go listen to Fergie. Other than that it's pretty typical Ozzy. I think most True Ozzy fans will like it, and the people who have only heard Crazy Train, Paranoid, and Bark at the Moon, might be dissapointed. I have a news flash for you guys though, Ozzy isn't going to write another "Blizzard of Oz" AC/DC isn't going to write another "Back in Black" and Iron Maiden isn't going to write another "Number of the Beast"