Metal House

The second album of Ozzy Osbourne's solo career, Diary of a Madman was his last to feature the talents of guitarist Randy Rhodes, who died in a plane crash soon after the disc's release. While it's not as furious as Osbourne's first solo album, Blizzard of Ozz, it still captures Ozzy's maniacal glory. Highlights include "Over the Mountain" and the kinetic "Flying High Again," which benefit as much from Rhodes's blistering musicianship as from Ozzy's heavy, melodic songwriting. Some of the disc is burdened with overly sappy passages and obligatory ballads, but overall, Diary of a Madman is required listening for the well-heeled metalhead. The 2002 remastered reissue includes the bonus B-side, "Flying High Again" single, a live version of "I Don't Know." Following a spat between band members, the parts played originally by bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake have been recorded over.I>--Jon Wiederhorn