Producer Andrew Watt (Post Malone, Dua Lipa) has given an update on Ozzy Osbourne‘s forthcoming new studio album. Watt previously oversaw the production and helped write and perform on Osbourne‘s twelfth studio album “Ordinary Man“, which saw a release earlier this year.
The pair enjoyed working together so much they have already begun sessions for a follow-up and have enlisted Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo as well as Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins for the sessions. Smith of course also performed on “Ordinary Man“, while Trujillo previously held a spot in Osbourne‘s backing band.
Watt told Guitar World of the album and the protocols in place to keep Osbourne himself safe during the sessions:
“We’re about halfway through. But, you know, it’s been hard with COVID and everything to keep him safe. We all test every day before we work and it’s just me, Ozzy and my engineer. So it’s taken a little longer this time, but it’s cool because the last one was made in this, like, swift love affair of passion, like, ‘Oh my God, this is incredible!’ [laughs]
But this time everyone’s moving a little slower and we’re taking a little more time. And the songs, there’s some songs on there that are like eight or nine minutes long that are these really crazy journeys. I’m really excited about it.”
Regarding the guest musicians, he offered:
“There’s a bunch of people involved. I can’t say for sure until the end, but I started doing a bunch of basic tracks with Chad and Robert Trujillo, who used to play in Ozzy‘s band. And Taylor Hawkins also came in and played a bunch on the record as well, which adds a different flair – it kind of harkened back to Ozzy‘s ‘80s era, in a great way. And I think it’s so cool for a rock fan to be able to listen to half an album with Chad Smith on drums, and then you flip it over and you get to hear Taylor Hawkins.
And you know, the last album was really special for everyone involved. And so there was no point in Ozzy or me doing this again unless we thought we could bring something new to the table. And I feel like we’re achieving that.”
When asked about the sound of the record, he replied:
“Well, we’re just halfway through, so it could still change. Some of these songs we have could wind up not even making the album. So I can’t really say yet. But in the end it’s all Ozzy’s decision. When he tells me we’ve got the album, that’s when I’ll stop.”
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