The Ultimate Sin
Updated: 5/24/2026, 7:31:15 PM Wikipedia source
The Ultimate Sin is the fourth studio album by the English heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne, released on 27 January 1986. It is the second and last of Osbourne's albums to feature lead guitarist Jake E. Lee, the first to feature drummer Randy Castillo, and the only album to feature bassist Phil Soussan, who co-wrote the album's hit single "Shot in the Dark". It is also Osbourne's last album to feature his classic logo on the cover until 2010's Scream. The album was awarded Platinum status in May 1986 and was awarded Double Platinum status in October 1994 by the RIAA.
Infobox
Released
27 January 1986 (US) 10 February 1986 (UK)
Recorded
1985
Studio
Townhouse, London, UK AIR, London, UK Studio Davout, Paris, France
Genre
Heavy metal glam metal
Length
40:51
Label
CBS Associated (US) Epic (UK)
Producer
Ron Nevison
Tables
Professional ratings
Source
Source
Review scores
Source
Review scores
Rating
AllMusic
AllMusic
Review scores
AllMusic
Review scores
Martin Popoff
Martin Popoff
Review scores
Martin Popoff
Review scores
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Review scores
Rolling Stone
Review scores
(favorable)
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Martin Popoff | |
| Rolling Stone | (favorable) |
· Charts › Weekly charts
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Chart (1986)
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Peak
position
36
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Chart (1986)
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Peak
position
19
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Chart (1986)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Peak
position
38
European Albums Chart
European Albums Chart
Chart (1986)
European Albums Chart
Peak
position
14
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Chart (1986)
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)
Peak
position
3
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (1986)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peak
position
31
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Chart (1986)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Peak
position
21
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Chart (1986)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Peak
position
6
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Chart (1986)
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Peak
position
4
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (1986)
UK Albums (OCC)
Peak
position
8
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (1986)
US Billboard 200
Peak
position
6
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) | 36 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM) | 19 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) | 38 |
| European Albums Chart | 14 |
| Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts) | 3 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 31 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) | 21 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) | 6 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 4 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 8 |
| US Billboard 200 | 6 |
· Charts › Year-end charts
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (1986)
US Billboard 200
Position
30
| Chart (1986) | Position |
| US Billboard 200 | 30 |
· Certifications
Australia (ARIA)
Australia (ARIA)
Region
Australia (ARIA)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)
Canada (Music Canada)
Region
Canada (Music Canada)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)
United Kingdom (BPI)
Region
United Kingdom (BPI)
Certification
Silver
Certified units/sales
60,000^
United States (RIAA)
United States (RIAA)
Region
United States (RIAA)
Certification
2× Platinum
Certified units/sales
2,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | Gold | 35,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada) | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 60,000^ |
| United States (RIAA) | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- Recording Industry Association of Americahttps://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Ozzy+Osbourne&ti=The+ultimate+sin&lab=&genre=&format=Album&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section
- "Brit certifications for Ozzy Osbourne"https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/7393-3418-2
- AllMusichttp://www.allmusic.com/album/the-ultimate-sin-mw0000191328
- Metal Ruleshttps://web.archive.org/web/20171126083532/http://www.metal-rules.com/polls/index.php?id=8
- Decibel Magazinehttps://www.decibelmagazine.com/2015/07/10/justify-your-shitty-taste-ozzy-osbourne-s-the-ultimate-sin/
- "Music Week"https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1986/Music-Week-1986-01-18.pdf
- "Music Week"https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1986/Music-Week-1986-07-26.pdf
- The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 2: The Eighties
- Rolling Stonehttps://web.archive.org/web/20070205074822/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ozzyosbourne/albums/album/229156/review/5943851/the_ultimate_sin
- "Phil Soussan Interview Ozzy Osbourne Bassist talks Jake E. Lee"http://musiclegends.ca/interviews/phil-soussan-interview/
- "American album certifications – Ozzy Osbourne – The Ultimate Sin"https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Ozzy+Osbourne&ti=The+Ultimate+Sin&format=Album&type=#search_section
- Bark at the Moonhttp://www.blabbermouth.net/news/jake-e-lee-why-i-gave-up-songwriting-credit-for-ozzy-osbournes-bark-at-the-moon/
- fullinbloomhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsmfuBGqFpE
- vwmusicrockshttps://vwmusicrocks.com/2021/12/09/an-interview-with-greg-chaisson-of-badlands-atomic-kings/
- "Jimmy DeGrasso: Interview and Live Pictures"https://web.archive.org/web/20100125183124/http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/content/view/1852/1
- "Jimmy DeGrasso of Black Star Riders"http://theywillrockyou.com/2013/05/jimmy-degrasso-black-star-riders/
- Loudwirehttps://loudwire.com/ozzy-osbourne-the-ultimate-sin-anniversary/
- "Jake E. Lee Says Interview: He Found Out He Was Fired From Ozzy From His Guitar Tech"https://www.eonmusic.co.uk/jake-e-lee-eonmusic-interview-october-2018.html/
- Recording Industry Association of Americahttps://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=OZZY+OSBOURNE&ti=THE+ULTIMATE+SIN
- "British album certifications – Ozzy Osbourne – The Ultimate Sin"https://www.bpi.co.uk/page/certified-awards