Ozzy Osbourne had made his fans wait a whole ten years for his last album "Ordinary Man". With its successor it went significantly faster and so "Patient Number 9" appears only two years after the last album, fittingly on 9.9. On the one hand, the Prince of Darkness could probably spend the time in the studio that he had scheduled for his big "No More Tours II" farewell tour. On the other hand, Ozzy Osbourne was also heard to be so thrilled with the collaboration with producer Andrew Watt on the last album that he couldn't wait to collaborate again. "Patient Number 9" has 13 new Ozzy songs to offer and, with a good hour of playing time, also turns out to be pleasingly lush. Also filled to bursting is the list of renowned guest musicians who have given themselves the proverbial hand in the hand. The opening title track, which is also the first single on the album, features Jeff Beck, a real top-class artist. Mr. Osbourne agrees: "To have someone like Jeff Beck on my album is just incredible, a great honor. There's no other guitarist that plays like Jeff and his solo on 'Patient Number 9' makes your jaw drop." Other guests on the six-string include Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Ozzy intimate Zakk Wylde, Josh Homme (Queens Of The Stone Age), Eric Clapton and Black Sabbath's Toni Iommi, who incidentally helps out for the first time on an Ozzy Osbourne solo album. Jimmy Page was also asked for a collaboration, but has declined with thanks. The bass work is shared by Ozzy Osbourne's former steady bassist Rob Trujillo (now Metallica) and Guns N' Roses woofer Duff McKagan. Drums on "Patient Number 9" are recorded by Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Taylor Hawkins, the recently deceased drummer for the Foo Fighters. But most importantly, of course, remains that "Patient Number 9" has become a hundred percent Ozzy Osbourne album despite the multitude of participants. The typical Ozzy sound is unmistakably present, which is already clear from the pre-released singles. Let's hope that the Prince of Darkness can present the new songs to his fans live as soon as possible.