Various Artists
Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute
(UDR Music)
In 1987, Ozzy released a legitimate tribute album for his late guitarist, Randy Rhoads, that served as a fitting memorial. So why was it necessary to release this half-assed attempt of a tribute album some 33-years after his death?! I can’t remember the last time I came across an album more disappointing or unsatisfying as this one. The opening track, a cover of “Crazy Train” sung by System of a Down’s Serj Tankian, sounds so absurd it’s hard to tell whether or not it’s actually a joke. Fortunately, it doesn’t get any worse than that insulting intro; it also doesn’t get much better, either. Testament’s Chuck Billy does an admirable job on “Mr. Crowley,” and former Judas Priest/Iced Earth vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens does the best he can on the majority of the record (“Suicide Solution” standing out the most). But out of all his former bandmates, only Rudy Sarzo (who played with Rhoads in both Ozzy’s band and Quiet Riot) makes an appearance. Even more surprising is that out of all the guitarists who have since surpassed Rhoads in Ozzy’s band, Brad Gillis (who briefly replaced Rhoads in 1983) is the only one that’s involved with this project at all (Zakk Wylde must have wisely declined). If you truly want to hear something that does the memory of Randy Rhoads justice, then do yourself a favor, and just go out and find the originals. (Jesse Striewski)
Purchase Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute on Amazon here.
