Talk about flying high again. Originally released in 1981, Diary Of A Madman is Ozzy Osbourne's sophomore solo smash and, sadly, the final studio album on which virtuoso guitarist Randy Rhoads appeared. A perfect foil for Osbourne's creativity and an inimitable instrumentalist, Rhoads died in a plane crash in 1982 just as he and Osbourne were redefinining hard rock and mainstream heavy metal.

 

Branching further into classicist fields and expanding the sonic palette, Diary of a Madman epitomizes musical chemistry, raw skill, and dark moodiness. Osbourne and Rhoads light up every song here, and it's no wonder many of the tunes--"Flying High Again," "Believer," "Over the Mountain"--remain part of the iconic vocalist's concert set list.