Ozzy Says He’s “Never Felt Comfortable” Being Described as a Metal Artist
Though he’s been considered one of the forefathers of heavy metal as a member of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne revealed that he’s never really felt like he’s part of the metal genre. That’s new information coming from a recent interview with SPIN Magazine, where he said he doesn’t really think his music is so heavy that it warrants the designation.
“Well, I’ve never felt comfortable about that title that 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.
“When you get pigeonholed with a certain [genre], it can be very difficult to do something a bit lighter or an acoustic track or whatever you want to do. Back in the day, it was always just rock music. It’s still just rock music.”
Ozzy’s admission about how he feels his music should be classified may be a shock to most metalheads who’ve long loved the “Prince of Darkness’” work, but maybe this shouldn’t come as a surprise. I mean, look at the bands he loves: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and AC/DC. Knowing that those are in his pantheon of all-time favorites, it makes sense that a guy his age would feel like he’s got more in common with them than with acts like Behemoth, Landmine Marathon, or Cannibal Corpse.
This isn’t even the first time he’s expressed his feelings. Back in June he said he didn’t like being classified as heavy metal during an interview with CNN.
“I have never, ever, ever been able to attach myself to the word ‘heavy metal’ — it has no musical connotations. If it was heavy rock, I could get that.
“The ’70s was kind of like a bluesy thing, the ’80s was kind of bubblegum-frosted hair, multicolored clothes and the ’90s was kind of grungy,” Osbourne noted. “People come up to me and say, ‘Your SABBATH work was a big influence on me.’ I could go, ‘Oh, yeah, I can see that.’ But other bands … what part of that is inspired by us? Some of it is just angry people screaming down a microphone.”
Other members of Black Sabbath, like Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler have both gone on record, however, saying they were proud of the designation these days or they were more comfortable with being considered “heavy rock.”
So what say you, fellow metal fans? Does this change how you think of Ozzy? Let us know in the comments below.
