The last truly solid Ozzy album. He had some amazing songs down the road. I’d almost say Bark at the Moon was the last great album, but it’s not really as solid. Jake E. Lee was as capable a guitarist as Randy, but I think it was a steep decline for Ozzy.
Randy Rhoads was really letting loose on this album, and cementing himself as more than just another Eddie Van Halen. Randy had that perfect mixture of the shredding Van Halen with the brooding qualities of Tony Iommi. There was nothing candy coated about it. It was both ferocious and disciplined. Blizzard was a great album, full of great guitar. Randy was just getting started with that album. Diary was so much improved, I can only imagine what the next album would’ve been like.