NEW YORK (Billboard) - Ozzy Osbourne's first new studio album in almost six years is also the first he has ever recorded sober.
"I thought I'd never write again without any stimulation," the recovering drugs aficionado told Billboard. "But you know what? Instead of picking of the bottle I just got honest and said, "I don't want life to go (to pieces)."
"Black Rain," will arrive May 22 via Epic. It marks his follow-up to "Down to Earth," which opened at No. 4 in October 2001. (In 2005 he released a covers set called "Under Cover.")
Osbourne recorded "Black Rain" in Los Angeles with his touring band of guitarist Zakk Wylde, bassist Blasko and drummer Mike Bordin. Fans can sample some of the new tunes on Osbourne's Web site (http://www.ozzy.com).
Beyond first single "I Don't Wanna Stop," "Black Rain" also includes the songs "Not Going Away," "Civilize the Universe," "Trap Door" and "Thank God for the Almighty Dollar," a number of which were co-written with Wylde.
Osbourne says, "People say, 'Why do you keep goin' to Zakk?' 'Cause you know what? There ain't no one else like 'em. He comes up with the stuff, plus the fact he's a family member. If he said to me, 'Ozzy, I need you to do this, will you do (it)?' I wouldn't think twice."
Before his headlining his stint on this year's free Ozzfest, Osbourne will play international dates beginning May 27 in Moscow. He is also one of the subjects of VH1's "Rock Honors," to be taped May 12 in Las Vegas for a May 24 premiere on the network.
"I thought I'd never write again without any stimulation," the recovering drugs aficionado told Billboard. "But you know what? Instead of picking of the bottle I just got honest and said, "I don't want life to go (to pieces)."
"Black Rain," will arrive May 22 via Epic. It marks his follow-up to "Down to Earth," which opened at No. 4 in October 2001. (In 2005 he released a covers set called "Under Cover.")
Osbourne recorded "Black Rain" in Los Angeles with his touring band of guitarist Zakk Wylde, bassist Blasko and drummer Mike Bordin. Fans can sample some of the new tunes on Osbourne's Web site (http://www.ozzy.com).
Beyond first single "I Don't Wanna Stop," "Black Rain" also includes the songs "Not Going Away," "Civilize the Universe," "Trap Door" and "Thank God for the Almighty Dollar," a number of which were co-written with Wylde.
Osbourne says, "People say, 'Why do you keep goin' to Zakk?' 'Cause you know what? There ain't no one else like 'em. He comes up with the stuff, plus the fact he's a family member. If he said to me, 'Ozzy, I need you to do this, will you do (it)?' I wouldn't think twice."
Before his headlining his stint on this year's free Ozzfest, Osbourne will play international dates beginning May 27 in Moscow. He is also one of the subjects of VH1's "Rock Honors," to be taped May 12 in Las Vegas for a May 24 premiere on the network.
