No Rest for the Wicked is the fifth solo studio album by the English heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne, released in September 1988 in the United States and in October 1988 in the United Kingdom. The album was certified gold in December 1988 and has since gone double platinum. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200. It was the first album to feature guitarist Zakk Wylde, keyboardist John Sinclair and the first to feature bassist Bob Daisley since Bark at the Moon.
Contents
Overview
Osbourne wanted to work with producer Roy Thomas Baker after he was impressed by the drum sounds achieved on Slade's 1987 album You Boyz Make Big Noize, which Baker co-produced.
No Rest for the Wicked is the recording debut of lead guitarist Zakk Wylde. After firing lead guitarist Jake E. Lee in 1987, Osbourne received a demo tape from Wylde and later hired him after an audition.
Bassist/lyricist Bob Daisley made his return to Osbourne's band after the two had a falling out in 1985. Once the album's recording was complete, Daisley was once again out, replaced by Osbourne's former Black Sabbath bandmate Geezer Butler for subsequent promotional tours.
"Miracle Man", "Crazy Babies", and "Breaking All the Rules" were released as singles with accompanying music videos. The song "Hero" was an unlisted hidden bonus track on the original 1988 CD and cassette releases. The song "Miracle Man" was a pointed barb aimed at televangelist Jimmy Swaggart. Swaggart had long been critical of Osbourne's music and live performances, before he himself was involved in a 1988 prostitution scandal. The song "Bloodbath in Paradise" references Charles Manson and the Manson Family murders.
Creative Director John Carver was hired by Osbourne's management (his wife Sharon) to conceptualize and direct the album sleeve for "No Rest For the Wicked". Carver's concept was to portray Osbourne as Jesus Christ, with photographer Bob Carlos Clarke taking the cover photo.
Personnel
Ozzy Osbourne – vocals
Zakk Wylde – guitar
Bob Daisley – bass guitar
Randy Castillo – drums
Additional musician
John Sinclair – keyboards
Production
Produced by Roy Thomas Baker and Keith Olsen, except "Miracle Man" and "Devil's Daughter", which were produced by Keith Olsen
Recorded and engineered by Roy Thomas Baker, Gordon Fordyce and Gerry Napier
Mixed by Keith Olsen
2002 reissue produced by Bruce Dickinson
2002 remastering by Chris Athens