In the world of heavy metal, few names command as much reverence as **Randy Rhoads**, the late Ozzy Osbourne guitarist whose virtuosic playing redefined the genre in the early 1980s. Yet, Swedish guitarist Sebastian Ramstedt of Necrophobia has stirred debate by boldly declaring that Jake E. Lee—Rhoads’ eventual successor in Ozzy’s band—was a “much better” guitarist.
Ramstedt made the comment during a conversation with **Micha Kite of V13 Media**, where he discussed Necrophobic’s 2020 album *Dawn of the Damned* and the influences that shaped his own career. Inevitably, the discussion turned toward the guitar greats of the 1980s, a period he admitted left him torn.
Rejecting Glam, Finding Inspiration
Looking back on his teenage years, Ramstedt explained his disdain for glam rock and hair metal, though he acknowledged that his perspective has softened with time. “In the ’80s, I hated all hair metal except for early Mötley Crüe and W\.A.S.P. You would watch ’80s MTV, and there would be Cinderella, but you were waiting for Sepultura, and you hated it,” he recalled. “Now I don’t have my guard up like that anymore, and those bands had very good guitar players. It takes a lot to write a great love song or an ’80s metal song.”
Despite his dislike for much of the era’s gloss, Ramstedt still found guitar heroes who shaped his sound. He pointed to **Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)**, **George Lynch (Dokken)**, and **Warren DeMartini (Ratt)** as some of the greatest players of the time. Yet for him, one name stood above all the rest: **Jake E. Lee**.
Jake E. Lee’s Impact
Lee joined Ozzy Osbourne’s band in 1983, stepping in as the permanent replacement after Rhoads’ tragic death in 1982. He quickly made his mark, recording the landmark albums *Bark at the Moon* (1983) and *The Ultimate Sin* (1986), works that Ramstedt hails as pinnacle achievements in metal guitar playing.
“Jake E. Lee was my favorite, and his work on *Bark at the Moon* and *The Ultimate Sin* is the ultimate lead guitar work ever,” Ramstedt stated. Cognizant of the backlash such a stance might draw, he added with defiance, “I think Jake E. Lee is much better than Randy Rhoads, and you can’t say that out loud, but I believe that.”
The Controversial Comparison
Randy Rhoads’ untimely passing at just 25 immortalized him as a tragic genius, and his groundbreaking contributions to *Blizzard of Ozz* (1980) and *Diary of a Madman* (1981) remain untouchable to many fans. Comparing him with Lee—who had the unenviable task of stepping into his shoes—inevitably sparks debate. Still, Ramstedt argues that Lee’s fluid phrasing, inventive riffs, and fearless use of melody gave him a broader range and greater expressive power than his predecessor.
To Ramstedt, Lee belongs in the same conversation as the most versatile players of the ’80s, including George Lynch. “Other guitarists like George Lynch, who wasn’t always heavy, had more fun in major keys, and they used the guitars in an unlimited way, which I admire,” he explained. “They didn’t have to do fast songs or slow songs, evil songs or happy songs; they could do whatever they liked. If you only use one mode, like the gothic mode, it’s very narrow what you can do with your music.”
Lee’s Tumultuous Journey
Lee’s tenure with Ozzy was short-lived. After being recruited to stabilize the band following Rhoads’ death—and after brief stints by Brad Gillis and Bernie Tormé—Lee spent four years contributing to Osbourne’s sound before being replaced by **Zakk Wylde** in 1987. His exit was clouded by tension and business disputes, but his creative mark remained indelible.
Since then, Lee has led a winding career, resurfacing with **Red Dragon Cartel** and currently serving as a live guitarist with the controversial band **The Mentors** under the alias *Licks Muffstuff*. His last studio release came in 2018 with *Petina*.
A Debate That Won’t End
Whether Ramstedt’s bold claim will be embraced or dismissed, one thing is certain: the comparison between Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee remains one of the most fiercely debated topics among Ozzy Osbourne fans. Rhoads may symbolize brilliance cut short, while Lee represents resilience and reinvention in the shadow of a legend.
For Ramstedt, however, the verdict is clear. “Jake E. Lee is much better,” he insists—a statement sure to keep metal fans arguing long after the last note fades.
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