About the Song
Released in 1988 on the album No Rest for the Wicked, “Demon Alcohol” by Ozzy Osbourne is a fierce and unflinching confrontation with one of his most enduring personal battles — addiction. In a catalog filled with gothic themes, spiritual chaos, and internal struggle, this track hits especially close to home, drawing not from fantasy or folklore, but from Ozzy’s own turbulent reality.
The song’s title alone sets the tone: “Demon Alcohol” isn’t merely a metaphor — it’s a personification of a destructive companion, something that charms, consumes, and ultimately betrays. With roaring guitars and aggressive drumming, the track sonically mirrors the instability and manic energy of substance abuse. It’s not pretty. It’s not poetic. And it’s not meant to be.
Lyrically, Ozzy doesn’t dress up the experience. He calls it out for what it is: a thief of clarity, a wrecking ball to relationships, a mask for pain. And yet, within that rawness lies something deeply human — a sense of accountability, regret, and even pleading. His voice, though rough around the edges, carries the weight of hard-earned knowledge and broken moments.
The late ’80s were a turning point for Ozzy — both musically and personally. After years of highs and lows, this track came from a place of brutal self-awareness. It stood apart from the more theatrical or occult-themed works he was known for and instead offered a harrowing glimpse into the private hell that fame and excess can create.
“Demon Alcohol” remains a powerful moment in Ozzy’s discography not because it’s polished or radio-friendly, but because it’s honest. It doesn’t glorify the rock-and-roll lifestyle — it exposes its cost.
For fans who’ve followed Ozzy beyond the stage persona, this song is a sobering reminder that behind the leather and eyeliner is a man who’s faced his demons — some of them bottled.