About the Song
In 2022, as part of a renewed wave of creative energy, Ozzy Osbourne reunited with longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde to deliver “Parasite” — a crushing, no-holds-barred track that reaffirmed the enduring chemistry between two of metal’s most iconic figures. While much of the album Patient Number 9 focused on legacy, vulnerability, and mortality, “Parasite” stands out for its raw aggression, thunderous guitar work, and old-school Sabbath-meets-modern-metal intensity.
From the first note, Zakk Wylde’s guitar tone takes center stage — sludgy, menacing, and unmistakably his. The song is driven by a relentless riff that stomps forward with grinding precision, pairing perfectly with Ozzy’s snarling vocal delivery. There’s a sharpness to the song’s structure — no wasted space, no unnecessary flash — just pure, unfiltered energy.
Lyrically, “Parasite” drips with themes of betrayal, emotional leeching, and inner corrosion. Ozzy’s voice, weathered yet powerful, doesn’t hide the bitterness beneath the surface. The chorus hits like a punch to the gut: venomous, personal, and strangely cathartic. For longtime fans, it’s a reminder that Ozzy isn’t done raging against the darkness — both around him and within.
What makes this track particularly special is the reunion with Zakk Wylde, who had been absent from Ozzy’s last few studio efforts. His guitar work here feels like a homecoming — blistering solos, squealing harmonics, and that signature sense of controlled chaos that only Wylde can deliver. Their chemistry hasn’t faded — in fact, it feels sharpened by time.
“Parasite” doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel — it burns it down and rides through the ashes. It’s loud, aggressive, unapologetically metal, and a standout reminder that even after decades in the spotlight, Ozzy Osbourne still has fire in his veins and venom in his voice.