Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses made comments about Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath during a Vienna concert. The remarks were captured in footage shared by a Guns N’ Roses fan on YouTube. The comments came following Black Sabbath’s recent farewell concert, where Rose and Osbourne reportedly met face-to-face for the first time.
During his speech, Rose discussed Black Sabbath’s “Never Say Die” album and defended it against media criticism.
“Slash and I started listening to this Black Sabbath album,” Rose said. “It was one of those albums that media said wasn’t good.”
Rose continued his defense of the album. He emphasized the importance of independent judgment over media opinions.
“You can’t listen to media, you gotta make your own choice,” he continued. “This is a Black Sabbath song and it’s about not giving the fuck up.”
Rose’s passionate defense of the album reflects a broader conversation about the record’s place in Black Sabbath’s catalog and its critical reception over the decades.
The Never Say Die! album holds a unique position in Black Sabbath’s discography as their eighth studio release from 1978. Wikipedia reported that the album marked the end of an era as it was the last to feature Ozzy Osbourne on lead vocals before his departure from the band until their final release 13 in 2013. The record emerged during a turbulent period for the band. Internal tensions and substance abuse issues affected the recording process.
Critics initially gave the album mixed reviews. Louder Sound noted that some tracks like the energetic title song and “Johnny Blade” have been recognized for their catchiness and classic Sabbath sound. The publication observed that the album showcased a mix of rock and metal elements that distinguished it from the band’s earlier, heavier works.
Despite some positive reassessment over time, the album faced harsh criticism from within the band itself. Album of the Year documented that Ozzy Osbourne himself once dismissed the record as his “worst piece of work.” This highlighted the internal conflicts and dissatisfaction that surrounded its creation.
However, Prog Archives found that modern listeners and critics have begun to appreciate the album’s rawness and unique qualities that set it apart from Black Sabbath’s more celebrated releases. This re-evaluation supports Rose’s argument about not relying solely on media opinions when judging artistic merit.
The comments were made during Guns N’ Roses’ Vienna performance. This occurred weeks after the historic meeting between the two rock legends at Black Sabbath’s final show.
