Ozzy Osbourne, “Patient Number 9.”

No one can question the resiliency of the Prince of Darkness. Despite ongoing health concerns and an understanding from the legendary rocker and fans alike that any day could be his last, Ozzy Osbourne presses on.

Patient Number 9 is Osbourne’s first album since 2020’s Ordinary Man and doubles down on the collaborative spirit of that record. While the former paired Osbourne with luminaries from the pop world, this latest album brings him together with some of the greatest guitarists in rock. Some names are more familiar, with Zakk Wylde and Tony Iommi both contributing on multiple tracks. Others are more of a surprise, such as Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton

Whatever physical ailments may slow Osbourne down, what might be the most impressive is how his signature vocal timbre remains incredibly strong. The tracks on Patient Number 9 are well-written, well-arranged and well-performed—and right in line with what fans have come to expect from the heavy metal hero.

Lyrically, Osbourne speaks from the perspective of someone in life’s twilight and the loneliness, isolation, fears and clarity that comes from being in that position.

“The past is dead/ The future’s haunted/ What happened to today?” Osbourne sings on “A Thousand Shades.”

The addition of the superstar guitarists works incredibly well because they don’t change the personality of the record dramatically. Instead, they offer a varied approach to a familiar heavy sound. Beck and Osbourne also provide the musical fireworks on the album’s title track. Beck’s sizzling solos fused with Osbourne’s pained vocal provides an effective foundation for the opener. Of course Wylde and Iommi provide the most naturally metal six-string accompaniment, but the album explores plenty of other musical ground. Wylde in particular offers up the intensity on “Parasite.”

Eric Clapton’s contribution comes on “One of those Days,” which starts as a bluesy acoustic-laden power ballad but evolves into a full-on fist-pumping grunge rocker about questioning a higher power when times get the toughest. Osbourne delves further into heavy metal power balladry on “A Thousand Shades,” another track with Beck. With the help of Wylde, “Mr. Darkness” provides a mix of some of the heaviest but also most melodic moments on the record.

“Give me my twisted dreams and purpose in life/ Maybe I’ll meet you somewhere up in the sky,” Osbourne sings with a clarity of his circumstance.

Speaking of Wylde, his contributions lead to some of the most authentically Ozzy moments on the album. He simply gets it and contributes to tracks that effectively present the heavier material in a way that’s both modern and retro. Iommi presents heavy blues riffage on “Degradation Rules.”

Another of Osbourne’s key traits is a keen sense of what’s going on in the world, bringing an added relevance and depth to the work. “Degredation Rules” even includes a harmonica solo to go along with everything else.

The remaining songs let go of the collaborations, focusing more on Osbourne’s own writing and musical personality. “Dead and Gone” is Osbourne’s admission that the future is uncertain and often bleak, but provides tips on how to ultimately pull through until your time has come. “God Only Knows” (not a Beach Boys cover) is a power ballad in a more traditional sense, while “Darkside Blues” goes in a very different direction as a bluegrass stomper with steel guitars and other stringed instruments.

Follow writer Mike DeWald at Twitter.com/mike_dewald.