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Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic solo artist and singer for heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath, has died at age 76. His family confirmed his passing in a statement on Tuesday, July 22.“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,” the statement began. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”Born John Michael Osbourne in Marston Green, England, in 1948, Ozzy was inspired to become a musician after hearing the Beatles’ hit “She Loves You.” He linked up with guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, and bassist Geezer Butler around 1968, and by August 1969, they’d renamed their band Black Sabbath, after the 1963 film of the same moniker. With Osbourne’s mournful, weighted howl at the helm, Black Sabbath released some of heavy metal formative and most influential recordings. Their first two LPs, Black Sabbath and Paranoid, minted monumental rock-canon staples like “N.I.B.,” “The Wizard,” “Paranoid,” “War Pigs,” and “Iron Man.”For their time, Black Sabbath’s sound and lyrics were disturbingly dark and heavy. Both fans and critics could agree on one thing: their music was “wicked,” each in their own sense of the word. It’s no surprise, then, that soon after Sabbath began releasing records, Osbourne and the band became frequent targets of religious groups accusing them of promoting Satanism and radiating “evil” energy. For their followers, that was exactly the appeal. Long before “horror rock” was a genre, Ozzy and Sabbath made music that shocked and unsettled listeners, confronting the cruelty, madness, and injustice of modern life.“Throughout his career, Osbourne surrounded himself with celebrated, genre-defining guitarists.”Throughout his career, Osbourne surrounded himself with celebrated, genre-defining guitarists, starting with Tony Iommi, whose crushing, downtuned Gibson SG-powered riffs not only defined Black Sabbath’s music, but helped to forge the sound of heavy metal itself. After Ozzy was fired from Sabbath, he teamed up with guitarist Randy Rhoads and launched his solo career with 1980’s landmark Blizzard of Ozz. The album catapulted Rhoads to international fame as a bona fide guitar hero. He could deliver towering, electrifying riffs and solos on tracks like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley,” but he also brought a classical and more emotional sensibility to Ozzy’s music, evident in the acoustic melancholy of “Dee” and the dramatic, environmental-apocalypse themes of “Revelation (Mother Earth).”Diary of a Madman, their second album together, further established Osbourne’s solo career and cemented Rhoads, with his Karl Sandoval-built polka dot Flying V and Jackson V-style electrics (as well as the occasional Les Paul), as a guitar icon. Tragically, Rhoads died in a plane crash in 1982, and Osbourne eventually tapped the shredder Jake E. Lee as his permanent replacement. That partnership lasted for two more successful albums, Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin, but it was in 1987 that Osbourne found his most longstanding guitar foil—20-year-old Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt, better known as Zakk Wylde, who auditioned to replace the recently departed Lee. Wylde’s shrieking pinch harmonics, scorching wah-pedal leads, and chorus-colored chording defined a new era of Osbourne’s musical life on songs like “No More Tears,” “Miracle Man,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” Osbourne continued to collaborate with Wylde through the 2000s, and Wylde performed at Osbourne’s 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.As he moved through his career, Osbourne was infamous as much for his music as for his wild antics—such as the never-to-be-forgotten bat- and dove-biting incidents. Though he achieved sobriety at various points in his life, his oft-imitated slurred vocal delivery and hell-raiser image remained his calling cards.Osbourne had been battling a Parkinson’s disease variant, amongst other ailments, since at least 2020, which hindered his ability to perform onstage. At Black Sabbath’s final show, an all-day affair that took place on July 5 in their hometown of Birmingham, England, Osbourne sang from a chair topped with a black bat—an homage to his old foe, perhaps. Osbourne appeared visibly frail; nevertheless, it was a triumphant performance, as he powered through a short set of solo classics before reuniting with his old bandmates for four songs.Osbourne’s “Prince of Darkness” moniker was often tied to the occult and sinister themes in his music, but he knew real darkness from an early age. He struggled with dyslexia in school, was sexually abused at age 11, and attempted suicide multiple times as a teenager. At 17, he spent six weeks in prison after robbing a clothing store. He did not arrive at darkness by choice; it was thrust upon him.Over 50 years, Osbourne created music that faced down, rather than ignored, the bleak, lonesome truths of the human experience. Thanks to him, and the fleet of ace guitarists he worked with, generations have learned to embrace and probe the shadows lurking behind the light, and to make sense of them through ferocious guitar riffs and monstrous rock songs. Those are skills we’ll likely always need.YouTubeOzzy Osbourne performs “I Don’t Know,” the leadoff track from Blizzard of Ozz, with Randy Rhoads, bassist Rudy Sarzo and drummer Tommy Aldridge, in 1981.

Today, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) and the Fender Custom Shop (FCS) are proud to introduce the Limited Edition Ariel Posen Stratocaster®, an instrument with enough versatility and raw playing power to properly honor the virtuosic guitarist, songwriter, producer and vocalist. Posen’s playing is unique not just in its sheer technical proficiency and musicality, but in the way it spans a number of genres ranging from old delta blues to neo soul to good old fashion rock and roll. With this in mind, the Fender Custom Shop understood that Posen’s signature instrument had to come ready to tackle just about any sonic assignment under the sun. Thanks to a set of custom AP-90 pickups, designed in tandem with Tim Shaw, and simple but powerful controls, the Limited Edition Ariel Posen Stratocaster® can handle scorching hot solos and sultry chord work in equal measure. “This is the most genuine and authentic representation of what I’m looking for in a guitar,” said Ariel Posen. “I was always a Strat ® guy and always felt most comfortable playing them, so it was important to capture those qualities. But the AP90 pickups really highlight my love for Jazzmasters—there’s something so open and airy about those guitars. More than anything, this Strat® embodies everything I love about Fender and condenses it into one instrument.”Ariel Posen first arrived at the guitar after spending years on the road with his two parents, both touring musicians, and developing the musical itch for himself. While he began his journey on the piano, an adolescent love for ‘90s grunge and The Beatles found him swapping out the keys for a Strat®. Today, whether he is captivating packed venues across the world, on his upcoming U.S. Tour this fall, or regaling his social audience, Posen has carved out a place for himself among the heroes of modern day guitar playing.From the Journeyman Relic® Faded Lake Placid Blue finish to the quarter sawn AA flame maple neck, the Limited Edition Ariel Posen Stratocaster® oozes with road worn charm. But don’t let this guitar’s vintage appeal fool you, it is outfitted with new, custom electronics that are versatile and powerful. A pair of pickups were custom made with Fender’s legendary pickup designer, Tim Shaw, to capture the full spectrum of Posen’s sonic vocabulary—from swampy, growling leads to glassy clean tones and everything in between, these pickups deliver perfect harmonic clarity across all playing styles. In tandem with the vintage-style hardtail Stratocaster® bridge and roasted alder body, it’s nearly impossible for this guitar to deliver anything short of full-bodied, resonant perfection. LIMITED EDITION ARIEL POSEN STRATOCASTER® ($6,000.00 USD, £5,699 GBP, €6,799 EUR, $9,499.00 AUD, ¥1,045,000 JPY) From scorching, octave fuzz-soaked slide solos to beautifully crafted chord changes and soulful grooves, Ariel Posen’s guitar playing is unmistakable. As a self-proclaimed “Strat® guy,” Posen teamed up with the Fender Custom Shop to introduce the Limited Edition Ariel Posen Stratocaster®, creating the most authentic representation of what he’s looking for in a guitar. Drawing influences from both traditional Fender specs and more unconventional features, this Strat® can deliver anything from flowing, bell-like chime to gnarly, punchy tones.The Faded Lake Placid Blue Relic® lacquer-finished 2-piece select roasted alder body, quartersawn AA flame maple neck and round-laminated rosewood fingerboard give this guitar the look and feel of a well-loved mid-‘60s instrument, while the dueling AP-90 pickups, simplified controls and cupcake knobs are distinctly representative of Ariel’s playing style and taste. The custom pickups were designed in tandem with Fender’s legendary pickup designer, Tim Shaw, to capture both the nuanced warmth and clarity of a vintage Jazzmaster® neck pickup and the powerful midrange bite of classic soapbar bridge pickups. When combined with vintage-style hardtail Stratocaster® bridge and roasted alder, these pickups enhance even the most gentle, subtle playing with full-bodied resonance and sustain.Other premium features include 1969 “U” back-shape, 9.5” (241 mm) radius, 21 vintage upgrade (45085) frets, mother of pearl dot inlays, custom Caballo Férreo (master volume, master tone) wiring, 3-way switch, 3-ply parchment pickguard, vintage-style tuning machines bone nut, American Vintage ‘59-’64 string tree, deluxe hardshell case, Moody Leather Ariel Posen signature strap, The Rock Slide Ariel Posen signature brass slide, Dunlop Ariel Posen picks and certificate of authenticity.

Looking for versatility without cranking a stadium-level rig?In this video, PG contributor Tom Butwin puts three sub‑50-watt amplifiers to the test: the British‑voiced Suhr SL15, the mid‑’60s American‑style PRS Sonzera 20, and the gig‑ready solid‑state Blackstar Debut 50R. Tom explores the tones, features, and ideal use cases of all three amps—highlighting who they’re best suited for and how they perform in different setups. Which one fits your playing style and needs?Suhr SL15 15-watt Tube Amplifier Head – Black Tolex/Gold Faceplate

SL15 15W Tube HeadPRS Sonzera 20 20-watt 1 x 12-inch Tube Combo Amp

Demo Sonzera 20W 1×12 Tube ComboBlackstar Debut 50 50W Guitar Combo Amp Black

The Blackstar Debut 50R 50W Guitar Combo Amp

Get mad as hell with sludge duo Red Brick.
The post Full Album Stream: Red Brick – “Thrown” appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

R.I.P. John “Ozzy” Osbourne.
The post Ozzy Osbourne (1948 – 2025) appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

Sweetwater has announced the return of GuitarFest,which is coming to the company’s Fort Wayne campus on Saturday, September 27. The nation’snumber one online retailer for music makers will welcome guitar players and music fans toexplore manufacturer booths from some of the top guitar name brands such as Gibson, Fender,and Marshall. There will also be appearances by major artists throughout the day.Now in its second year, Sweetwater’s GuitarFest promises a packed schedule designed to excite guitar enthusiasts and music lovers alike. Attendees will have the opportunity to hang out and connect with their favorite brands and some of their favorite artists.“We’re thrilled to bring GuitarFest back for its second year,” commented Samantha Hunter, director of artist relations and campus events at Sweetwater. “We’ve taken everything we learned from last year’s event — along with the valuable feedback from attendees — and used it to make the experience this year even better. We truly believe 2025’s GuitarFest will be an unforgettable celebration for music lovers of all kinds.” Sweetwater will showcase the latest guitar and related gear releases along with vendors on-site to answer and demonstrate the very latest guitar innovations. GuitarFest also marks the culmination of eight days of in-store deals as part of Guitar Month at Sweetwater. Artist appearances will be announced in the coming weeks. Early registration for this free event is available now at Sweetwater.com/guitarfest/ where visitors can also stay up–to date on all the planned activities. This event is family friendly and takes place on Sweetwater’s state-of-the-art campus located at 5501 US Highway 30 West in Fort Wayne. The Sweetwater campus includes the largest music store in the United States and other attractions for visitors to enjoy.

Frank Bello, best known as the bassist of New York’s legendary thrash metal pioneers Anthrax, has joined forces with Spector Bass to develop an all-new instrument. Dubbed the NC-4 Frank Bello, this bass is inspired by both Spector’s rich history and iconic American bolt-on bass design.From its refined body contours and radiused top to the uniquely contoured neck heel, the NC-4 is built for speed, comfort, and stage-ready performance. Finished in a head-turning metallic purple affectionately named Tina Rose after Bello’s mother and grandmother and features a matching headstock, purple acrylic block inlays, and Bello’s signature EMG P/J pickup set.Furthermore, the NC-4 features a solid Alder body, a 1-piece Maple neck, and a Maple fingerboard – a tonewood trio that delivers the perfect blend of warmth, brightness, and clarity. The neck profile, modeled after Bello’s favorite vintage instruments, offers a slim, broken-in feel that’s instantly familiar.Finished with vintage-style chrome tuners, a modern adjustable bridge, and a brass nut for enhanced sustain, the NC-4 Frank Bello is ready to take on the world’s biggest stages – just like its namesake.“Spector is known for quality. My signature bass is built for players and offers incredible tone, comfort, and affordability. From the neck profile to the woods, signature EMG pickups, and brass nut, this is my ultimate go-to for any gig, Anthrax or other.” – Frank BelloThe NC-4 Frank Bello is more than a signature model – it’s a statement. Available now at authorized Spector dealers worldwide.$1499.99 US Street Price