The Essential Ozzy Osbourne

This hefty anthology charts the sinister evolution of heavy metal’s dark prince between 1980 and 2003. Osbourne comes storming out of the gates with early-career classics that speak to his innovations as a solo artist. Guitarist Randy Rhoads’ straight-razor precision on “Crazy Train” laid the foundation for the neoclassical metal movement, while the atmospheric spine-chiller “Mr. Crowley” kick-started a new wave of graphic occult metal. The icon’s legacy as a power balladeer is also represented with the disarmingly vulnerable “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”

Sony Music's "Essential" series of limited-edition two-disc compilations of major artists has been well-assembled generally, and Ozzy Osbourne's increased celebrity following the success of the "reality" TV series The Osbournes justifies his inclusion, as does his string of multi-platinum albums dating back to 1980.