Black Rain is the tenth studio album by the English heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne, released 22 May 2007 via Epic Records.[1] It is Osbourne's last album to feature drummer Mike Bordin, and the first to feature bassist Rob Nicholson. It is also the first album since 2001's Down to Earth to feature guitarist Zakk Wylde and the last until 2022's Patient Number 9. Black Rain debuted at No. 3 on the US Billboard 200,[2] selling about 152,000 copies in its first week; making it Osbourne's highest debut to date. The album has been certified Gold in US.[3]
The album was released in several different versions. The original US version was released in a thin, brown digipak with the crowned skull Ozzy Osbourne logo (pictured lower right), and for the rest of the world, it was released in a standard jewel case featuring cover art of Osbourne with "black rain" falling. This cover included a booklet complete with lyrics and album credits. The US version did not include a booklet, lyrics, or album credits. The Japanese release was the same as the other international releases, except it included two bonus tracks, "I Can't Save You", and "Nightmare". The iTunes release of the album included "Nightmare", plus an exclusive iTunes preorder bonus track, "Love to Hate". It also included a printable pdf file of the booklet, complete with lyrics and album credits. This same booklet was later made available as a free pdf download from Osbourne's website on 1 June. The song "I Don't Wanna Stop" was also featured as the theme song for WWE Judgment Day 2007.
In the US, limited edition copies of the album were sold with special codes enclosed, which could be used to redeem a pair of Ozzfest 2007 tickets. Ozzfest 2007 was nicknamed "Freefest" because all tickets were free.
The album was reissued in the US on 14 August in a new jewel case package containing the full booklet with lyrics and new colour cover art and photos, also containing CD extra bonus content featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the Black Rain photo shoot.
A "tour edition" version of the album was released on 20 November 2007. This release includes an extra CD with 3 live tracks and 3 studio tracks originally available on international releases or digital versions.
Black Rain received mixed reviews. Rolling Stone referred to the album as "highly skippable"[12] and Sputnikmusic called it "quite embarrassing".[13]AllMusic was somewhat less harsh in its assessment, giving the album 3.5 out of 5 stars while noting that "Nothing on Black Rain could really qualify as an Osbourne classic."[4]
Osbourne appeared on the second annual VH1 Rock Honors, and performed three songs, "Crazy Train", "Bark at the Moon" and "I Don't Wanna Stop". It was aired on 24 May 2007 on VH1 (TV airing cut the "Bark at the Moon" performance, but it airs as a music video on shows like Rock Fest and Metal Mania.)
"I Don't Wanna Stop" is used as the opening bumper music on the Boomer and Gio morning drive sports-talk program on WFAN.[citation needed] It was also used as a throwback track on The Heavy on 96 Rock.[citation needed]
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