Ozzy Osbourne’s top 10 metal albums (and the surprises on his list)

It can be said that Ozzy Osbourne has a keen ear for outstanding heavy metal albums, considering his significant contributions to the genre, not just as a solo artist but also with his band Black Sabbath. However, what were Ozzy’s thoughts on what makes a fantastic album that he wasn’t directly involved in?

In 2017, Ozzy Osbourne shared his personal top 10 metal albums with Rolling Stone magazine. While some may find his selected albums predictable, a few of the specific titles he chose were quite unexpected. Notably absent from his list were Iron Maiden and Tool, two bands often associated with the metal genre. Keep in mind that a top-10 list is inherently limited in the number of choices it can include.

His list should not be taken to mean his own famous bands. In fact, Ozzy Osbourne openly admitted to being a huge Beatles fan, a group that never ventured into the realm of metal music. Like many of us, he was a child of his era and likely enjoyed other bands that have since slipped from our collective memory.

Ozzy Osbourne’s top-10 heavy metal albums might surprise you

Similarly to many of us, Ozzy Osbourne’s metal playlist reflects our shared tastes. His preference for these bands stems from the fact that they produced exceptional albums. Here’s a breakdown of his top 10 favorites:

1. Black Sabbath
2. Deep Purple
3. Led Zeppelin
4. Judas Priest
5. Iron Maiden
6. Rainbow
7. Scorpions
8. UFO
9. Thin Lizzy
10. Rush

This list represents the pinnacle of his musical appreciation.

  • AC/DC – Highway To Hell
  • Alice In Chains – Facelift
  • Guns ‘N’ Roses – Appetite for Destruction
  • Judas Priest – British Steel
  • Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV
  • Megadeth – Rust in Peace
  • Metallica – Master of Puppets
  • Motörhead – Ace of Spades
  • Pantera – Cowboys From Hell
  • Rob Zombie – Hellbilly Deluxe

The points made in the previous discussion hold true. Everyone has their unique preferences when it comes to taste, and that includes music. It’s intriguing that he selected “Facelift” by Alice In Chains instead of the more somber “Dirt”. While “Facelift” wasn’t a light listen, it doesn’t carry the same level of darkness as “Dirt”.

Among all the artists on the list, it’s particularly unexpected to see Pantera included. While they do have a dedicated fanbase, their music can be inconsistent at times. Nevertheless, it seems that Ozzy Osbourne was particularly fond of “Cowboys from Hell,” which explains their inclusion. Given his history, one might expect him to favor Anthrax over Pantera, but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.

Read More

2025-07-24 15:00