Coming off a triumphant run of six OZZFest shows that earned him some of the best live reviews in his career, OZZY OSBOURNE and his band–new guitar player Gus G., bassist Blasko, drummer Tommy Clufetos and keyboardist Adam Wakeman–launched the second leg of his overseas tour this past weekend (Saturday, August 29) at the Ripfest Festival in Prague, Czech Republic.
As part of OZZY’s 18th month world tour, this leg will encompass 16 countries. It is a mix of headlining and festival dates in connection with the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s album SCREAM (Epic Records), which entered the charts in June in the Top Ten in more than 10 countries and features the newly released single “Life Won’t Wait.” The trek includes two OZZFest shows–in London, England at the O2 Arena September 18 and in Tel Aviv, Israel at Heyarkon Park September 28–plus performances in Russia, Italy, France, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Finland, Norway, Germany, Romania, and Turkey before wrapping October 4 in Hungary. These dates will be followed by three shows in Japan (October 13, 16 and 17), after which OZZY returns to the U.S. to headline the Voodoo Experience festival Halloween weekend in New Orleans, LA. A headlining U.S. tour will follow this fall/winter, details of which will be announced in the coming weeks.
Here are some of the accolades OZZY and his band received in America:
“Ozzy Osbourne remains the consummate metal showman….New guitarist Gus G., who replaced longtime axman Zakk Wylde, and newdrummer Tommy Clufetos fit in seamlessly, the former with screeching solos and neck-snapping grooves and the latter with a thunderous double-bass attack that did Ozzy’s vast catalog proud…While so many of Ozzy’s ’70s and ’80s counterparts have turned into pathetic nostalgia acts, Ozzy clearly still has a genuine love-and drive-for what he does. His maniacal energy remains as captivating and infectious as ever.”
— BOSTON HERALD, August 25, 2010
“Ozzfest rises up again, exceeding expectations…‘It feels so good to be back home,’ Ozzy Osbourne told the crowd Saturday night at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore. The Prince of Darkness…was clearly humbled by the massive response to this summer’s return of Ozzfest…These rabid fans were ready for him and fell quickly under his spell once he appeared on stage…what was most memorable was Osbourne’s stellar setlist, a good mix of old favorites (‘I Don’t Know,’ ‘Suicide Solution’), new stuff (‘Let Me Hear You Scream’), a rarity (‘Killer of Giants’) and some Black Sabbath (‘Fairies Wear Boots’). His new band–drummer Tommy Clufetos, bassist Rob ‘Blasko’ Nicholson and guitarist Gus G–was spectacular, and Osbourne was justifiably proud to single them out as they each soloed. Gus G definitely shreds, but Clufetos’ turn on the kit rivaled that of Mötley Crüe anchor Tommy Lee.”
–ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, August 16, 2010
“As soon as Ozzy Osbourne hit the stage with ‘Bark at the Moon’ for his headlining spot Saturday night at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore, Ozzfest was officially back and stronger than ever. On the heels of new album Scream, Osbourne was on the top of his game for the first time the touring heavy metal festival returned to its birthplace since 2007.”
–RIVERSIDE PRESS ENTERPRISE, August 16, 2010
“Osbourne’s replacement of flamboyant longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde with Gus G., a dark-maned Greek, ratcheted the spotlight toward the singer. Ozzy never hires undazzling axmen, though, and Mr. G.’s speed, control and rhythm shone bright.”
–LOS ANGELES TIMES, August 16, 2010
“Osbourne’s 90-minute set covered classics from his solo career (‘Suicide Solution,’ ‘Mr. Crowley’), less familiar tracks (Black Sabbath’s ‘Into the Void’ and his own ‘Fire in the Sky’) and introduced his new guitar player, Gus G., who seemingly has inspired…Ozzy to reach for new heights.”
–BOSTON GLOBE, August 25, 2010
“…the founder of Black Sabbath has set out to reclaim his metal moniker with an appealing new solo album, ‘Scream,’ and an abbreviated Ozzfest tour, which stopped at the Comcast Theatre on Saturday. With considerable support from a four-piece backing band led by guitarist extraordinaire Gus G, Osbourne turned in a solid 100-minute, 16-song set, which capped the day-long rock and metal festival…Osbourne’s voice was far better than one might have expected, particularly on a moving version of ‘Killer of Giants.’”
–SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN (MA), August 22, 2010
“Greek guitar hero Gus G, the most jaw-dropping musician of the day, proved his metal by navigating the sinewy and sinister leads of ‘Mr. Crowley’ and Black Sabbath’s ‘Fairies Wear Boots’ and later leading a heavy blues jam with the band, which killed it on ‘Iron Man.’”
–PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE, August 20, 2010
Later this year, Epic Records will release will release an expanded two-CD version of the SCREAM album, October 5. This “Tour Edition” package will feature seven bonus songs: a mix of previously unreleased tracks and live recordings. Three of the songs–“One More Time” and “Jump The Moon,” plus the never-before-released “Hand of The Enemy”–are from the SCREAM sessions. The other four songs are live tracks–“Bark at the Moon,” “Let Me Hear You Scream” and “No More Tears,” as well as the Black Sabbath nugget “Fairies Wear Boots–that were recorded this year in Folkestone and Birmingham in the U.K. The package will also contain video content including the Jonas Akerlund-directed video for “Let Me Hear You Scream” and behind-the-scenes footage from the set of the video, along with footage documenting the making of the SCREAM album. Epic will also issue a four-sided vinyl edition that includes five bonus tracks: the three aforementioned songs from the SCREAM sessions and the live version of “Let Me Hear You Scream,” along with the single version of “Life Won’t Wait” (the second single from SCREAM).