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There can be only one

 

Who Will Be the Next Prince of Darkness?

With the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, the world of rock and metal feels a little colder, a little less mad, and a whole lot quieter. The original Prince of Darkness wasn’t just a title—it was a crown forged in the fires of heavy riffs, bat wings, and wild, untamed charisma. But now, with Ozzy’s shadow stretching across generations, we can’t help but ask: who, if anyone, can rise from the darkness to inherit his throne?


Why Ozzy Was the One and Only

Ozzy Osbourne didn’t just create heavy metal with Black Sabbath—he was heavy metal. His unholy mix of raw vocals, unpredictable antics (yes, we’re talking about the bat), and an almost supernatural ability to survive everything thrown his way made him an icon of chaos and darkness.

Ozzy’s reign wasn’t just about shock value. It was about authenticity, rebellion, and a strange, almost lovable madness that made you root for the guy, even when he was summoning hellfire on stage.


The Contenders for the Throne

1. Alice Cooper – The godfather of shock rock, with his macabre stage theatrics and guillotine acts, could arguably hold the title. But Alice is more of a sinister showman than a true "prince of darkness."

2. Marilyn Manson – Once hailed as the heir apparent, Manson’s dark, gothic presence and disturbing performances made him a contender. But scandals and time have dulled his edge.

3. Ghost (Papa Emeritus) – Tobias Forge and his rotating Papas bring a theatrical, satanic flair reminiscent of early Sabbath. Ghost is the modern band most likely to channel Ozzy’s dark, theatrical vibe.

4. Corey Taylor (Slipknot) – The masked menace of Slipknot has the rage, the growl, and the stage dominance to carry the title. He’s a bit more "beast of chaos" than dark prince, though.

5. The Dark Horse – Ville Valo (HIM) – While more romantic goth than unhinged metal, his brooding presence and dark lyrics could carry the torch for a new generation of gothic rock.


Or Is the Crown Gone Forever?

Maybe the truth is there’s no next Prince of Darkness. Maybe Ozzy’s crown wasn’t meant to be passed on. Rock’s dark monarchs aren’t born every generation; they erupt from a perfect storm of rebellion, chaos, and sheer unpredictability. Ozzy’s life was a wild ride that no PR machine or image consultant could manufacture.


A Final Salute to Ozzy

The man who once sang “I’m going off the rails on a crazy train” never derailed completely—he rode it straight into rock immortality. Ozzy leaves behind not just his music but a legend so big, it’s hard to imagine anyone ever filling those bat-biting shoes.


The Prince of Darkness B-Side Playlist

Here are 5 B-side or lesser-known Ozzy/Black Sabbath gems that show why he earned the crown:

1. “You Looking at Me, Looking at You” (1980) – A killer, bluesy rocker that shows Ozzy’s vocal grit outside of the big radio hits.

2. “Spiders” (1983) – This eerie, slithering track from the Bark at the Moon sessions is pure Ozzy horror-movie magic.

3. “Don’t Blame Me” (1993) – A defiant anthem from No More Tears that feels like Ozzy giving the middle finger to the world.

4. “The Writ” (Black Sabbath, 1975) – A dark, venomous track that oozes attitude and emotional rage.

5. “Killer of Giants” (1986) – From The Ultimate Sin, this anti-war ballad is haunting and criminally underrated.

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Your Turn: Who Deserves the Title?

Rock fans, we’re throwing this one to you. Is there someone out there lurking in the shadows, ready to embrace the darkness? Or was Ozzy truly the one and only? Drop your picks and let’s settle this in the loudest, heaviest way possible.


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