Ozzy Osbourne says his upcoming solo album was a "gift from a higher power."
To draw that gift into this mortal coil, Ozzy apparently wanted the help of some fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. On Friday, the Black Sabbath co-founder released his first new solo single in nine years, "Under the Graveyard."
Ozzy wrote the track with producer and guitarist Andrew Watt and enlisted a heavy-hitting rhythm section, featuring Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.
"This album was a gift from my higher power — it is proof to me that you should never give up," Ozzy said via a press release with the new single.
Watt is best known for his work with Post Malone. Collaborating with the singer/rapper on the song "Take What You Want" connected Ozzy with Watt and provided the catalyst for the new album. Watt is also known for the short-lived band California Breed, which features ex-Deep Purple bassist Glenn Hughes and drummer Jason Bonham.
After finishing their work on "Take What You Want," Watt asked Ozzy if he'd like to write together.
"I said, 'That would be f---ing great,'" Ozzy recalled, "but now I am thinking I don't want to be working in a basement studio for six months! And in just a short time, we had the album done."
Though it was understood that Watt was involved with the project, Smith and McKagan's part in the album was a well kept secret.
The Prince of Darkness persevered through a number of health setbacks, including a broken neck, to complete the album. He credits the commitment of his rhythm section with bringing the songs to life.
"Duff and Chad came in and we would go in and jam during the day, and I would go work out the songs in the evenings. I previously had said to Sharon I should be doing an album, but in the back of my mind I was going, 'I haven't got the f---ing strength.' But Andrew pulled it out of me. I really hope people listen to it and enjoy it, because I put my heart and soul into this album."
Ordinary Man is due out in late-January, according to Sharon Osbourne.
The album might have come together more quickly than anything in Ozzy's solo catalog.
"The album was all finished in four weeks," he elaborated. "I said to Sharon that I didn't feel like I'd made an album because we haven't ended up screaming at each other."
He described the process as therapeutic in helping distract him from rehab for his neck.
Ozzy plans to resume his 'No More Tours 2' farewell tour next spring. Get all the tour dates here.
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