Ozzy Osbourne Had Plans for New Album Before Death, Zakk Wylde Reveals

Prior to his death earlier this year, Ozzy Osbourne was reportedly developing ideas for a new album with guitarist Zakk Wylde, aiming for a sound reminiscent of their early 1990s collaboration.

Wylde shared in a recent interview that Osbourne had been texting him about the project, specifically referencing a desire to recapture the blend of heavy and melodic elements found on the album “No More Tears.” “He was texting me, ‘Zakk, let’s do another record. Because I really loved it when you were going through your ALLMAN BROTHERS, [LYNYRD] SKYNYRD phase when we did ‘No More Tears’. It’s heavy but it’s more melodic. It’s not pummeling heavy,’” Wylde recalled. “So I said, ‘All right, Oz. Whatever you want.'”

Wylde, who played with Osbourne on and off for nearly four decades, was not involved in the 2020 album “Ordinary Man,” which was produced by Andrew Watt. He did contribute to the majority of tracks on the subsequent 2022 release, “Patient Number 9,” also produced by Watt. Osbourne previously explained to Kerrang! that the quick development of “Ordinary Man” with Watt, Duff McKagan, and Chad Smith meant there wasn’t an initial consideration to include Wylde. The news underscores the enduring creative partnership between Osbourne and Wylde, a relationship that spanned decades and influenced the landscape of heavy metal music.

Osbourne passed away on July 22 from a heart attack, according to his death certificate, which also cited coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease as contributing factors. Wylde has often spoken of Osbourne’s mentorship, describing him as “almost like an older brother” in a July interview with Guitar World. Further details regarding any archived material or potential posthumous releases have not yet been announced by the Osbourne estate.