Osbourne wanted to work with producer
Roy Thomas Baker after he was impressed by the drum sounds achieved on
Slade's 1987 album
You Boyz Make Big Noize, which Baker co-produced.
No Rest for the Wicked is the recording debut of lead guitarist
Zakk Wylde. After firing lead guitarist
Jake E. Lee in 1987, Osbourne received a demo tape from Wylde and later hired him after an audition. Bassist/lyricist
Bob Daisley made his return to Osbourne's band after the two had a falling out in 1985. Once the album's recording was complete, Daisley was once again out, replaced by Osbourne's former
Black Sabbath bandmate
Geezer Butler for subsequent promotional tours. "Miracle Man", "Crazy Babies", and "Breaking All the Rules" were released as singles with accompanying music videos. The song "Hero" was an unlisted hidden bonus track on the original 1988 CD and cassette releases. The song "Miracle Man" was a pointed barb aimed at televangelist
Jimmy Swaggart. Swaggart had long been critical of Osbourne's music and live performances, before he himself was involved in a
1988 prostitution scandal. The song "Bloodbath in Paradise" references
Charles Manson and the Manson Family murders. Creative Director John Carver was hired by Osbourne's management (his wife
Sharon) to conceptualize and direct the album sleeve for "No Rest For the Wicked". Carver's concept was to portray Osbourne as Jesus Christ, with photographer
Bob Carlos Clarke taking the cover photo. ==Track listing==