Mike Inez was instrumental in crafting the bass line for Ozzy Osbourne's hit track No More Tears. His contribution ignited the song, but unfortunately, he did not record it.
In the world of heavy metal, few albums have left an indelible mark like Ozzy Osbourne's No More Tears. At the heart of the album's success was Zakk Wylde, the 19-year-old guitarist who joined Osbourne's band in 1988.
Wylde's guitar work on No More Tears developed from his deep study of earlier metal pioneers, with a strong emphasis on precision, innovative use of pinch harmonics, and a soulful delivery that helped define the album’s heavy yet melodic character.
The title track, "No More Tears", showcases Wylde's mastery of the electric guitar. The verse riff owes its shape and form to Tony Iommi, while the guitar solo was created to fit the keyboard part, crafted by John Sinclair. Wylde deliberately avoided certain guitar techniques to create a unique sound for the album, resulting in a guitar voice that is both technically impressive and deeply expressive.
Wylde's influences extend beyond metal giants like Iommi. The Allman Brothers Band and Gary Rossington played a significant role in shaping his style. The guitar solo in "No More Tears" is a testament to this influence, with Wylde employing pentatonic runs, a technique often associated with southern rock.
The band that recorded No More Tears included Zakk Wylde (guitar), Randy Castillo (drums), John Sinclair (keyboards), and Mike Inez (bass guitar). Inez, who handled the bass on other records, joined the band later. He wrote the main riff for "No More Tears", and during rehearsals, Randy Castillo, John Sinclair, and Zakk Wylde joined in with Inez's bass line.
During the pre-production phase for the album, the band was doing well on their own. In fact, the album still didn't have a title when they began recording. However, the band was on a roll, and the follow-up to No Rest For The Wicked was destined to make a significant impact on hard rock and metal.
One of the most interesting stories behind the album is the origin of "I Don't Want To Change The World". The song came together as a joke during a session of messing about and goofing off. Despite its humble beginnings, the song became a standout track on the album, showcasing Wylde's versatility as a guitarist.
In conclusion, No More Tears is a testament to Zakk Wylde's talent and dedication to his craft. His unique guitar style, honed through a deep study of metal legends and infused with influences from other genres, helped define the album's sound and solidify its place in metal history.
[1] Rolling Stone. (2017). 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. [online] Available at: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time-138216/
[3] Guitar World. (2018). The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos. [online] Available at: https://www.guitarworld.com/features/greatest-guitar-solos-of-all-time
[5] Classic Rock. (2017). 50 Best Heavy Metal Albums of All Time. [online] Available at: https://www.classicrockmagazine.com/features/50-best-heavy-metal-albums-of-all-time/
The unique guitar voice of Zakk Wylde, as showcased in the album No More Tears, is a blend of metal legends and influences from other genres, such as southern rock.
The guitar solo in "No More Tears" demonstrates Wylde's versatility, with his use of pentatonic runs, a technique often associated with southern rock.
