Rock & Metal

Rudy Sarzo Explains One Thing That Made Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Speak Of The Devil’ Album ‘Exceptional’

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A fan recently lauded the 1982 Speak of the Devil live album by Ozzy Osbourne, highlighting the performance of guitarist Brad Gillis and drummer Tommy Aldridge, alongside bassist Rudy Sarzo. The fan described the album as an “all-time favorite,” noting the band’s extraordinary chemistry during the recording.

Rudy Sarzo, who played bass on the album, responded on X, sharing an interesting behind-the-scenes detail:

“Yes, the level of being told that there’s not going to be any overdubs fixes, so you better get it right tonight.”

When another fan inquired about whether this no-overdub rule also applied to concert videos, Sarzo elaborated:

“What made the Speak of the Devil live recording exceptional was it being a 2 nights only performance, not a tour. We only had a handful of rehearsals to learn the songs, with the exception of ‘Iron Man’/‘Children of the Grave’ and ‘Paranoid.’”

He confirmed there were no overdubs for the musicians and directed fans to soundboard recordings available on YouTube as proof.

The Speak of the Devil performances, consisting of live renditions of Black Sabbath classics, were recorded during two shows at The Ritz in September 1982. Captured by The Record Plant’s mobile studio, the recordings were rushed for release the following month, partly to compete with Osbourne’s former band.

Known as Talk of the Devil in the U.K., the album achieved Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry in early 1983. Its raw energy and the musicians’ tight execution remain a standout moment in Ozzy’s career, especially given the high stakes and limited preparation time.

I'm Emma. I Love rock music, doing guitar reviews, and making food. I love writing works because it is the best way to provide information to people.

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