Ozzy Osbourne, Straight to Hell | Track Review 🎵

After issuing “Under the Graveyard” following an extended hiatus, Ozzy Osbourne returns with a second thrilling single, “Straight to Hell.”

Prior to the release of his single “Under the Graveyard”, it had been extremely quiet times for heavy metal/rock icon Ozzy Osbourne. The 70-year-old hadn’t released original music (as a solo artist) since his 2010 album, Scream.  There was renewed interest in Osborne’s music following a terrific collaboration with Post Malone on “Take What You Want” from the rapper’s 2019 LP, Hollywood’s Bleeding. After shining on “Under the Graveyard,” which is set to appear on his 2020 album, Ordinary Man, Ozzy drops an intriguing second single, “Straight to Hell.”

Arguably, “Straight to Hell” surprises initially, commencing with lush, minor key choral vocals (“Ah-ah, ah-ah,” etc.).  Sure, the sound is dark, but there’s a celestial sensibility, interesting considering the hellish title and ultimate intent of the song.  An example of that hellishness: “Your dance be dead so we must celebrate / I’ll make you scream; I’ll make you defecate.” My God!  Backtracking slightly, even with the surprising start, the hellish tone arrives soon enough, as “Straight to Hell” ends up being a hard-rocking, guitar heavy affair.  As soon as the lush vocals disappear, those guitars kick in, alongside pummeling drums, and energetic, ‘infernal’ vocals from Ozzy Osbourne.  This three-minute-and-forty-five-second number is consistently intense virtually from the jump.

Going back to the lyrics, there’s more ‘shock’ from Ozzy.  “Enjoy the ride, I’ll plant my bitter seed,” Osbourne sings on the second verse, continuing, “You’ll kill yourself and I will watch you bleed.” Damning to say the least.  Of course, on the chorus, Ozzy is taking us all “Straight to Hell tonight,” repeatedly.

Final Thoughts

Is “Straight to Hell” vintage Ozzy Osbourne? This record won’t supplant his many classics, but it is awesome to see Osbourne back doing his thing, particularly at 70.  What more can you say but ‘rock on?’

Ozzy Osbourne • Straight to Hell [Single] • Epic • Release: 11.22.19

Photo Credit: Epic