The 2002 remastered "Bark at the Moon" CD is actually more of a remix than a remaster. Needless to say, a side by side comparison will show that the music itself (not just the tonal quality) sounds different from all previous releases of this album. If you're a young fan who's brand new to Ozzy's music and thus have never really heard the "Bark at the Moon" album, you might like this somewhat modern-sounding remix. Otherwise, if you're a long-time fan who knows the original album inside and out, you may be totally repulsed by the difference in the CD's music.

Ozzy re-re-released his first two solo albums on CD in 2002, but without any mention on the outside packaging that they were actually RE-RECORDINGS done with different musicians! In an attempt to get out of paying royalties to the musicians who played on the original album, Ozzy had the original bass and drum tracks re-recorded by his current band mates. (Quite an insulting way to treat the remaining band who not only made the late Randy Rhodes' a legend, but also helped bring Ozzy out of Black Sabbath's shadow -- if not reverse that situation entirely.)

The 2002 "Bark at the Moon" CD is essentially a remix of the 1983 original, not a re-recording. But you'd have no way of knowing from reading the outside packaging or even the CD booklet. In and of itself, the remixed album admittedly sounds rather good in places. Although in a few other places it sounds like Ozzy's singing behind a wall (which is not an uncommon side effect found on badly produced metal albums). Overall the CD music is very cohesive sounding, unlike what you get when you, oh say, try to re-record drums. Here there's a little more boominess, different guitar and drum fills, more rhythm guitar and less keyboards. It's now a somewhat modern-sounding metal album.

But is this what people expect when they buy a "remaster"? For the long-time Ozzy fans: please be aware that this simply isn't the same "Bark at the Moon" you bought in the 80s! If, like me, you've become very familiar with "Bark at the Moon" after years of listening, then listening to the remixed album might come as a shock. Not that it's been remixed as a dance album or anything extreme like that, but gone are all those little fills and solos your ears have come to learn. The bell tolling at the start of "Center of Eternity" sounds like it's been shifted down an octave, like somebody throwing a rock at a pot of water.

If you still need a replacement for your scratchy vinyl or warbled cassette copy of "Bark At The Moon", try to get the 1995 remaster instead. It will sound like what a remastered CD should sound like: just as you remembered it musically, but with superior audio quality.

Ozzy and Sony have done it again. Another 5-star album has been ruined! This reissue was remixed with some guitar parts deleted (for example, the first half of the intro solo to "Rock 'n' Roll Rebel" has been eliminated.) The keyboards in the beginning of "Waiting for Darkness" have been boosted up so loud that you can barely hear the churning guitar riff below. These are just two of the things that have been changed. "Bark at the Moon" has been drastically altered. "Centre of Eternity" has been drastically altered. I can't believe they would have done this after the fiasco with the Blizzard and Diary reissues. Once again, there has been no mention of the altering on the CD's sticker or advertising. No, Sir, I don't like it.

I've had it with the lies.

I've loved Ozzy like all of you for a long time. But you know what: the reissues of 'BOZ' and 'DOAM' and 'BATM' have lifted the veil on lies that are simply unacceptable. Tell me - in any other form of art or music, would outright lies about the true creators of lyrics/music/art be accepted?

Bob Daisley is the true architect behind the topics of Ozzy's solo career. His lyrics are what gave Ozzy SUBSTANCE (the difference between him and a thousand others). Daisley needs to be recognized, admired and given his credit. Ozzy is not what he has led people to believe. Funny, I always wondered how this clown of a personality could write such great lyrics...

I am so disappointed, as others will be when they find out. The worst part of this is that Ozzy and Sharon will not even pay Daisley his royalties. Christ - these songs would not exist without Bob's lyrics. THEY ARE HIS SONGS ALSO. (imagine if you can, the hypocrisy of reading in the Bark at the Moon credits that Ozzy wrote these songs alone... Daisely or Jake E. Lee aren't even mentioned.)

I am throwing down the gauntlet to true OZZY fans - Spread the truth and let's get Ozzy to make things right. He is nothing if not truthful about his career.

Public personalites earn our love and respect with their talent, performances, accomplishments and INTEGRITY. But when they cease to show truthfullness, they lose their right to our admiration. It is imperative that people and especially Ozzy's fans learn the truth about his songs. His greatest acheivements are mainly due to Bob Daisley's fantastic lyrics. Daisley deserves the same royalties as Ozzy.

What can I say? Other than that there is a notable difference about this album from the rest, although it's not necessarily a bad one. That difference , of course, is the introduction of Jake E. Lee as Ozzy's lead guitarist. In contrast to the first two albums, Ozzy is given much more room to shine next to Lee than he was next to Randy Rhoads. It's not that Lee isn't a capable guitarist, it's just that his playing isn't as fluidic as Rhoads' was. Since, in my opinion Lee's guitar style is definitley more definitive in its chords and its momentous riffs than Rhoads' complex playing style, Ozzy is able to be more pronounced in his singing. These things aren't bad, and don't detract from the album any, but what does is the introduction of the keyboard. Ozzy's music is noted for being tough, heavy, and spiteful of traditional values, but the keyboard just brings the music down a little. It's an interesting introduction, but a completely unnecessary one. "Bark at The Moon", "Rock n' Roll Rebel", "Centre of Eternity", and "Waiting for Darkness" are the better songs on this album, but "Now You See It, Now You Don't" and "So Tired" help balance out this album and provide a truly diverse album with different writing techniques by Ozzy. This album represents a pinnacle in Ozzy's career, and is a necessity to any Ozzy fan's collection.

This version is rubbish! It's been remixed and has completely lost it's edge. No wonder it's always real cheap... because no one will buy it. Stay well AWAY of this and get the original if you can. Also avoid the Megadeth's Remixed and Remastered (and Rerecorded).

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED...