Today (July 22), marks the first anniversary of Ozzy Osbourne’s passing. As such, members of his family, his Black Sabbath bandmates, and his solo guitarist Zakk Wylde have all shared new tributes.
Ozzy‘s widow Sharon told BBC the following in part:
“As Ozzy would say, ‘when you want to remember me, just yank up the music really loud, as loud as you can get it, and just head bang.’
He was authentic. He never tried to be anything other than what he was, and he would tell you the truth about everything and that was him, you knew where you were with him.
He was just genuine, so genuine and funny. I mean we could have the worst arguments in the world but we would end up laughing because he would say something so ridiculous that we would just crack up.”
Ozzy‘s daughter Kelly also shared an open letter:
“My Daddy,
One year ago today, the world changed forever.
Today I sit here beside you in a way I never thought would be possible. I know you are still with me. I feel you in the quiet, in the wind, in every song that stops me in my tracks, is the smell of your cologne and in every moment that love outweighs grief. You are all around me.
The hardest part isn’t that you’re gone. The hardest part is that I can’t touch you. I can’t hold your hand. I can’t wrap my arms around you or feel the safety that only you could give me. I always thought life was hard, but life without you has been the hardest thing I have ever had to endure.
You are my everything. My protector. My greatest teacher. My best friend. The apple of my eye. My reason.
Now all I have are memories. But my God, what beautiful memories they are. Even through all the madness we lived through, you somehow made every moment worthwhile. You taught me that love could exist in the simplest things. A cuddle on the sofa, watching the same television program for what felt like the hundredth time, your incredible jokes, your endless complaining, and of course you asking me for a kiss with a mouth still full of food. I would give absolutely anything to experience those little moments just one more time. I just want to hear you say “Kelly can you?” One more time. And of course, whatever you wanted I would do.
I have never loved anyone or anything as deeply as uniquely as I love you. And now I carry all of that love with nowhere to place it except within me, my son, and mumma. It aches every single day, but it is also the greatest privilege of my life. To have loved someone so completely.
I wish you could see your grandson. Oh, Daddy, you would adore the little man he is becoming. Every single day I catch glimpses of you in him. Your smile. Your spirit. Your mannerisms. Sometimes it stops me in my tracks because it feels as though you’ve found a way to remind me that love never truly leaves us. Seeing you reflected in him is one of the greatest gifts I have ever been given.
I don’t think you ever truly knew the impact you had on this world. I certainly didn’t until you were gone. Person after person came forward with stories of the hope you gave them, the kindness you showed them, the strength you inspired in them. You changed lives simply by being yourself and the beautiful timeless music you created.
You were a true working-class hero who never forgot what he came from!
You made people believe that life could be better because of the way you lived yours. With honesty, loyalty, courage, humor, and a heart bigger than anyone realized. There will never be another you. You carried something extraordinary inside you, a kind of magic that felt heaven-sent, and I will spend the rest of my life feeling grateful that I got to call you my daddy.
This past year has broken me in ways I never knew were possible. Everything you warned me would happen, happened. But I want you to know that I listened. I did everything you told me to do, and I will continue to follow your words for the rest of my life. Your voice still guides me every day.
Until the day we meet again.
Music may live forever, but what our family created our bond, our laughter, our unwavering love is eternal. Death could never take that from us.
You may no longer walk beside me, but you live in every choice I make, every lesson I pass on, every piece of courage I can find, and every beat of my heart.
I will carry you with me for the rest of my days.
Thank you for being my daddy. Thank you for loving me so fiercely. Thank you for making me who I am.
I miss you with every part of my soul.
I love you beyond words, beyond time, beyond this life.
Until we find each other again.
Your little Kelly can you Totsie girl”
Black Sabbath commented as well:
Tony Iommi:
“Hi everyone. Well, it’s now a year since Ozzy’s passing and I still can’t believe that he’s not with us.
I watch him on YouTube and it feels like he’s still here with us. We always stayed in touch, almost every week or so and we’d usually talk about our ailments and then about what we’d been doing that particular week.
The fans have been absolutely brilliant and the love and respect that they have shown for him has just been amazing.
I’m so glad that we were able to play one final show with the original line up of Sabbath at the Back To The Beginning show in our home town of Birmingham! There will never be another Ozzy. I miss you my dear friend.
Tony X”
Geezer Butler:
“One year ago today- hard to believe. I am so glad we were able to do the final show , back in our hometown, just a couple of weeks before Ozzy left us. Gone in body, but his legend lives on. Such incredible memories. Ozzy forever!”
Bill Ward:
“Every day, there is a presistent silence,
We miss you so much,
Respectfully, with love to the Osbourne family,
Bill and Jackie Ward family”
Ozzy’s solo guitarist Zakk Wylde added:
“I THANK THE GOOD LORD FOR EVERY MOMENT WE HAD • YOU’RE THE GREATEST THAT EVER WAS & THE GREATEST THAT THERE WILL EVER BE • YOU MADE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE & I KNOW YOU WALK w/ME EVERY DAY • I LOVE YOU OZ • ZAKK XOXO”
Amon Amarth will be releasing a new album, titled “The Allfather Awakens,” on October 2. A video for the opening track, “Gjallarhorn,” can be found below:
The following was said about the single:
“Following the release of Amon Amarth‘s first-ever acoustic excursion ‘Upphaf‘, the band unleash ‘The Allfather Awakens‘ opening track and epic tale of ‘Gjallarhorn‘. Where the stripped-back ‘Upphaf‘ carried the solemnity of an oral history whispered under the shadow of the Allfather, ‘Gjallarhorn‘ arrives as a furious Amon Amarth classic. ‘Gjallarhorn‘s’ driving, upbeat guitar riff and high tempo, catchy chorus fuse with a few surprises that ensure itself to be a future live staple.
To gain wisdom beyond mortal comprehension, Oden made the ultimate sacrifice – gouging out his own eye and casting it into the Well of Wisdom, Mímisbrunnr, in exchange for cosmic insight and foresight that would shape the fate of gods and men alike. Now, Amon Amarth bring that ancient reckoning to life with ‘Gjallarhorn‘ – and they are extending Oden’s offer to you. Those who received the eye know what must be done. Those who did not: seek it out. Sacrifice your sight. Gain your foresight.”
Guitarist Olavi Mikkonen also had the following to say about the upcoming album:
“We worked on one song at a time and made each song as good as possible. Then we recorded one song at a time until each track was totally finished–drums, guitars, and vocals. Only then did we start on the next one.”
“The Allfather Awakens” Track Listing:
01. “Gjallarhorn“
02. “Eight Legs Of Thunder“
03. “Kvasiris Blood“
04. “We Rule The Waves“
05. “Upphaf“
06. “Die With A War Cry“
07. “Raven God“
08. “The Allfather Awakes“
09. “Oden’s Hunt“
10. “Ascending Like An Eagle“
The initial lineup has been revealed for next year’s 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise. That event will take place aboard the Freedom Of The Seas vessel as it sails from Miami, FL to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic on January 14-18 and it will feature the following: Æther Realm, Arch Enemy, Brainstorm, Die Apokalyptischen Reite, Enforcer, Evergrey, Equilibrium, Melechesh, Moonspell, Mors Principium Est, Obscura, Primal Fear, Rhapsody, Thulcandra, Uli Jon Roth, Warbringer, and more to be announced.
Forbidden have premiered a new video for their new song “Psyclops.” This track is from their new self-titled album, which will be released on October 23.
Guitarist Craig Locicero commented on the song:
“‘Psyclops’ was the final song completed for our newest self-titled offering. It was part of the last batch of music completed with [guitarist] Jeremy Von Epp and myself on the home stretch of our writing sessions and it came together quickly. The song itself is a hypnotizing stomper. Heavy footed like millions of people marching against how things stand in the status quo. Norman [Skinner]’s lyrics for ‘Psyclops’ should be left to the interpretation of the listeners. The chorus paints a vivid picture…’Forsaken, fast asleep and trapped inside a maze, Complacent eyes securely locked in an obscure gaze.’”
He also added the following about the album:
“Making ‘Forbidden’ felt more like an odyssey than a typical recording process. We set out to create a record that reminds people why they fell in love with thrash and heavy metal in the first place, embracing raw energy, melody, and the imperfections that give heavy music its character. Every member brought their best, and having Brann Dailor [Mastodon] join us on ‘Sycophantasy’ was an incredible addition. ‘Forbidden’ is five lifetimes of experience forged into one piece of metallic art.”
“Forbidden” Track Listing:
01. “Single Point Failure”
02. “Burning The Lungs Of Earth”
03. “Divided By Zero”
04. “DCLXVI”
05. “Psyclops”
06. “Jisei”
07. “Mutually Assured Dysfunction”
08. “Sycophantasy”
09. “The Burden”
10. “Sol Grave”
11. “Flower Of Life (Chaos By Design)”
Tour Dates:
With Heathen and Void:
10/23 Las Vegas, NV – The Usual Place
10/25 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
10/26 Denver, CO – Federal Theatre
10/28 Iowa City, IA – Gabes
10/29 Minneapolis, MN – Turf Club
10/30 Chicago, IL – Reggies
10/31 Lakewood, OH – Mercury Music Lounge
11/01 Pittsburgh, PA – Preserving Underground
11/02 Leesburg, VA – Tally Ho Theater
11/04 Worcester, MA – The Palladium (Upstairs)
11/05 Brooklyn, NY – TBA
11/07 Albany, NY – Empire Underground
11/08 Lititz, PA – Mickey’s Black Box
11/09 Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
11/10 Greenville, SC – Radio Room
11/12 Orlando, FL – Conduit
11/13 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade (Altar)
11/15 Destin, FL – Club LA
11/17 Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
11/18 Dallas, TX – Trees
11/20 Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad
11/21 Tucson, AZ – Club Congress
11/22 Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom
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