First ever sober album for Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne will release his first album of all-new material in six years, titled Black Rain, on May 22nd. When asked why there's been such a gap between studio projects, Osbourne told us that it took him a long time to realize he could write and record music while being completely clean and sober: [ Click to listen if you have a backstage pass]"I used to get so frustrated with myself. I mean, I thought that you had to get loaded to make songs. I just thought drugs and alcohol are probably the major inspiration of making music, which I truly believed that because I'd never made a record without using it. And I thought it was that was making me creative."

Black Rain is Osbourne's first solo effort since 2001's Down To Earth. The first single, called "I Don't Wanna Stop," arrived at radio two weeks ago.

Ozzy recorded Black Rain with the band that backed him on the 2006 Ozzfest tour, consisting of guitarist Zakk Wylde, drummer Mike Bordin and ex-Rob Zombie bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson.

Ozzy will headline this summer's "free" Ozzfest, beginning on July 12th in Seattle.

Fans who purchase specially marked copies of Black Rain will have a first shot at scoring Ozzfest tickets. The CD's initial pressing will contain a code that allows the user to obtain two tickets through a special web site on June 8th, four days before tickets become available to the general public.