Few albums in the heavy metal world carry the same legacy as Ozzy Osbourne’s *Bark at the Moon*. Released in 1983, it marked the debut of guitar prodigy Jake E. Lee — the man who stepped into the impossible shoes left by Randy Rhoads. While fans and critics alike celebrated the album’s raw energy, blistering riffs, and dark theatrical edge, Lee himself has recently shared that he’s never been entirely happy with how it sounded.
In a candid reflection, Jake E. Lee admitted he was frustrated with the final mix of *Bark at the Moon*, particularly with how the guitars — his guitars — were treated in comparison to the rest of the instrumentation. “The keyboards are loud, guitars too low,” Lee said bluntly. “It didn’t sound like what we recorded in the studio.”
That revelation hits hard for fans who have long revered the album’s title track as one of the defining metal anthems of the 1980s. The song’s opening riff alone — feral, fast, and utterly unforgettable — helped cement Lee’s reputation as a force to be reckoned with. Yet behind that fierce sound was an artist battling for his rightful space in the mix.
Lee explained that when he and the band laid down the tracks, the guitars were intended to dominate, much like the riffs on *Blizzard of Ozz* or *Diary of a Madman*. But when the final mastering was done, something changed. “I remember hearing it and thinking, ‘Why are the guitars buried under the keyboards?’ It took away some of the aggression, some of the bite,” he said.
The issue wasn’t just about volume — it was about representation. Lee’s playing on *Bark at the Moon* was inventive and ferocious, blending technical precision with emotional chaos. The mix, however, softened the edges and gave the record a more polished, radio-friendly sheen — something that, in Lee’s eyes, diluted the album’s spirit.
Still, despite his criticisms, Jake E. Lee’s work on *Bark at the Moon* remains legendary. From the title track to “Rock ’n’ Roll Rebel” and “Now You See It (Now You Don’t),” his guitar tone carried a dangerous swagger and intensity that helped define Ozzy’s post-Rhoads sound.
Decades later, Lee’s honesty about the mix gives fans a deeper appreciation for the tension and artistry behind one of metal’s most iconic records. It’s a reminder that even legends aren’t always satisfied with perfection — and sometimes, that raw dissatisfaction is part of what makes their music immortal.
Jake E. Lee may have thought the guitars were too low, but the mark he left on *Bark at the Moon* is impossible to turn down.
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