Undoubtedly, creating a Randy Rhoads tribute album and packing it full of heavy metal heavy weights is a great idea, so you better make sure that what you put on it is tops. Unfortunately, Serj Tankian and Tom Morello all but murdered “Crazy Train.” So, we’re happy to say that the tribute version of the classic “Mr. Crowley,” featuring Chuck Billy (Testament) on vocals and Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom) on guitar, is a far cry better than the previous release. Granted that Chuck Billy’s vocal style is vastly different than Ozzy Osbourne’s, and that may hurt the reception of this “Mr. Crowley.” Although it’s a tribute to Rhoads, Ozzy’s legendary vocals are immutable and echo throughout these tracks. However, Laiho did an amazing job on guitar; he managed to stay true to the original with subtle additions of his own style, unlike Morello who polluted “Crazy Train” with too much garbage.

The cover of “Mr. Crowley” also features Kelle Rhoads (brother of Randy Rhoads) on keyboard, Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot/Ozzy Osbourne) on bass, and Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath/Dio) on drums.

But, if you still want the original, here:

Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute will be released on March 3, 2015, via UDR Music.

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As we informed you earlier, there is a tribute album coming out to honor the late Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot guitarist, Randy Rhoads. And the album, Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute, is chock full of big names in heavy metal. Sounds great, right? Well, you might have second thoughts after listening to the first single, “Crazy Train,” featuring Serj Tankian, Tom Morello, Rudy Sarzo, and Vinny Appice.

“Crazy Train” is streaming now over at RollingStone.com.

The overall consensus is that Serj Tankian, god bless him, sounds horrible in Ozzy Osbourne’s role as lead vocalist, and Tom Morello, guitar master that he is, put too much of his own flair in a song that is supposed to be a “tribute.” Yes, it’s good when artists put their own spin on a cover tune, but only if it’s good. This version of “Crazy Train,” however, stuck too close to the original for anyone to say that they were trying to make it their own.

Anyway, check out the tune and let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute will be released on March 3, 2015, via UDR Music.

Rock Hard \m/

If you’re a heavy metal fan, then you should have heard of Randy Rhoads somewhere along the line. If you haven’t, check your metalhead card at the door. In many regards, Randy Rhoads is partially responsible for the success of Ozzy Osbourne‘s solo career. Well, Ozzy would have found success as a solo artist with another guitarist, but there was something special about Rhoads that captured the attention and inspired legions of kids to pick up a guitar themselves.

Tragically dying at 25 years of age in a plane crash, Rhoads (lead guitarist for Ozzy and Quiet Riot) will be celebrated in the truest of fashions with the release of Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute on March 3, 2015, via UDR Music.

A collection of 11 classic Rhoads co-written songs, Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute is performed by 20 top contemporary artists, including old friends and performing partners Rudy Sarzo and Frankie Banali, his brother Kelle Rhoads, and more designated musicians like Serj Tankian, Tom Morello, Vinny Appice, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Chuck Billy, Alexi Laiho, George Lynch, Gus G., Bruce Kulick, Doug Aldrich, Dweezil Zappa, and others.

The album was produced and compiled by the Grammy-award winning guitarist and producer Bob Kulick at his own studio.

Along with the album, Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute will also contain a bonus DVD available in the digipack version, including interesting interviews with some of the involved artists, hosted by Bob Kulick and a feature on the Musonia School of Music, a teaching school on North Hollywood, California, set up by Randy’s mother and run by his brother, Kelle Rhoads.

Pre-order details are coming soon! Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute will also be available in double vinyl gatefold and digital formats.

Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute Full Track Listing with performers:

1. Crazy Train
Vocals: Serj Tankian
Gtrs: Tom Morello
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice

2. Over the Mountain
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Jon Donais
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali

3. Mr Crowley
Vocals: Chuck Billy
Gtrs: Alexi Laiho
Keyboards: Kelle Rhoads
Bass Rudy: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice

4. Believer
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Doug Aldrich
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice

5. Back To The Coast (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Kelle Rhoads
Gtrs: Bruce Kulick
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali

6. I Don’t Know
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: George Lynch
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen

7. S A T 0
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Rhythm guitars: Bob Kulick
Lead guitar: Dweezil Zappa
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice

8. Killer Girls (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Joel Hoekstra
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen

9. Goodbye to Romance
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Gus G.
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen

10. Suicide Solution
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Brad Gillis
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen

11. Flying High Again
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Bernie Torme
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen

About Randy Rhoads:

A lover of classical music, Rhoads had taken initial steps into rock’n’roll as a 16 year old when he formed a band, that soon became Quiet Riot. Rhoads was vaulted to the limelight in 1979, when Ozzy Osbourne chose the relatively unknown guitarist to help shape a new future for him via his band, Blizzard of Oz. The result saw Rhoads co-script two of the most famous albums in hard rock history, Blizzard Of Oz and Diary of a Madman, and rapidly ascended the stairway of fame and recognition for his virtuoso playing and writing. Famed for the way he fused classical flavors with technically excellent hard rock, Rhoads became one of the most influential lead guitarists in rock.

When he tragically died on March 19, 1982, in a plane accident, Rhoads was only 25 years old, but thankfully, the legend of his work, ethos, and their continuing influence on a whole new generation of guitarists, has never dimmed.

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The Blizzard of Ozz might be the most important album in Ozzy Osbourne‘s solo career, simply for the fact that it was his first after Black Sabbath. The album also showcased Ozzy’s new guitarist, the highly esteemed and late Randy Rhoads. Yesterday, March 19th, was the anniversary of Rhoads’ death. Tragically, he died at a very young 25 years of age in a plane accident while on tour with Ozzy. He was definitely making a name for himself as one of the greatest heavy metal guitarists, combining neo-classical and metal to create something far reaching. Who knows what he would have accomplished if he’d lived, maybe metal wouldn’t be considered a second-rate form of music today.

In honor of Rhoads’ death, former bandmate and Ozzy bassist Bob Daisley posted an interview about and sound clips from the Blizzard of Ozz recording sessions, which he’s calling “The Holy Grail.” In the recordings, which took place between December 8, 1979 and March 23, 1981, we get to hear some alternate guitar work from Rhoads and some rough cuts of songs.

Check out the recordings at: www.bobdaisley.com

Daisley also discusses the song writing process, why things were recorded, who contributed what, and where some parts ended up in other songs.

Rock Hard \m/