Ozzy Osbourne is undoubtedly one of the biggest figures responsible for shaping what we know today as heavy metal. But the vocalist has explained his opinion on this label in several interviews.
Despite being an essential figure in metal, Ozzy has always had an ambiguous relationship with the label. In an interview with The New Zealand Herald in 2008, he stated ( via Whiplash ): “Well, I never felt comfortable with this label they put on me – 'metal'. Because Ozzy Osbourne plays heavy, but the bands that are considered metal are really heavy, and we're all put in the same category.”
The statement reflects his perspective that the term "heavy metal" does not fully define his work or that of Black Sabbath .
This view was reinforced in another interview with Spin , where he explained: “When you’re labeled with a certain style, it can be very difficult to do something a little lighter or an acoustic track, or whatever you want to do. Back then, we were called rock. And we still just remain rock.”
Tony Iommi 's powerful riffs Geezer Butler 's reflective lyrics . This unique union helped create a sonic identity that would influence generations and become the foundation of the genre.
Even with Ozzy's departure in 1979, his solo career brought a new revolution to metal. Alongside legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads , he released albums such as Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981) , which solidified his influence in the 1980s. With an approach that blended theatricality and intensity, these works helped metal establish itself as a cultural and musical phenomenon.
Although Ozzy questions the use of the term, it's undeniable that his work, both in Black Sabbath and in his solo career, helped define what heavy metal represents. His music and flamboyant personality transformed the genre into a cultural symbol, solidifying it as one of the most emblematic and enduring styles in music history.
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