Metal Reviews
Metal Reviews
Sonic Brew Black Label Society |
| The tracks are
: 1. Bored To Tears (4:28) 2. The Rose Petalled Garden (4:59) 3. Hey You (Batch Of Lies) (3:48) 4. Born To Lose 4:23) 5. Peddlers Of Death (4:33) 6. Mother Mary (4:26) 7. Beneath The Tree (4:37) 8. Low Down (4:36) 9. T.A.Z. (1:56) 10. Lost My Better Half (4:24) 11. Black Pearl (3:27) 12. World Of Trouble (5:20) 13. Spoke In The Wheel 4:13) 14. The Beginning... At last (4:26) Somewhere out of the swamps of jersey, an unknown teenage guitar wizard staggered through the Jersey Shore bar circuit knowing he was destined for bigger and better things to come. Along came "madman" Ozzy Osbourne who plucked Wylde from his mundane existence and the next metal guitar hero was born. Wylde's ten year history with Osbourne paved the way for co-writing and recording collaborations of the multi-million selling 'No Rest For The Wicked' ('88), 'Just Say Ozzy' ('90), the multi -platinum 'No More Tears' ('91), which included hits 'Mama, I'm Coming Home' and 'No More Tears', the gold 'Live And Loud' ('93), which earned a Grammy for "Best Live Performance" and the platinum 'OzzMosis' ('97). During this time, the "Wyldeman" became infamous for his legendary, high powered stage performance. Ozzy was not the only one drawn to Wylde, Filling in for Dickie Betts, Zakk had a brief stint with the Allman Brothers Band, Zakk proved to be a bit hardcore to the Allman's laid back style. Guns 'n' Roses leader Axl Rose, tried to recuit Zakk for the reincarnation of the legendary rock band. Wylde re-teamed with Ozzy for his last studio album to date. Zakk Wylde is nothing if not exploratory. He knew he had a catalog of songs in him, minus the "rock Star" trappings. So Geffen Records obliged by releasing the critically acclaimed 'Pride & Glory' ('94) and 'Book Of Shadows' ('96). 'Pride & Glory' spawned a power trio known for it's live shaows and extended jams. 'Book Of Shadows' was well received by the fans and critics alike. And now we have Zakk's latest effort 'Black Label Society', helped out by his drinking partner and drummer Phil Ondich, an album full of punishing riffs, fuzzed out bass, plus Wylde's signature monster guitar tones. The opening track is 'Bored To Tears', a grand start to the album, starts off with atmospheric sounds and some heavily distorted drum sounds, after approx 35 secs, the heavy monster riffs come in, this is a really classy rocker and one you will just want to keep playing again and again. The next track is 'The Rose Petalled Garden', one guitar plays intricate stuff, while another plays sustained lead, well until the vocals come in, lots of multi-guitar parts to this track. This kind of has elements of Soundgarden mixed in. The third track 'Hey You (Batch Of Lies)', combines acoustic and electric guitar for another superb track with a very catchy chorus. The next track 'Born To Lose', this track has a fairly slow tempo to it, but is full fo monster riffs, there is a change in pace around the middle section, while Zakk plays one of his stunning solo's. 'Peddlers Of Death', slow, and heavy as hell, combined with some nice piano, a kind of mixture between Free, Black Sabbath and Zakk's own special blend of guitar playing. The sixth track 'Mother Mary', this is another real rocker, monster riffs, stunning lead, heavy fuzzed out bass and another quite catchy chorus. Parts of this track remind me a little of Living Colour. The next track 'Beneath The Tree', starts off fairly mellow and is quite atmospheric at times with just bass, drums and Zakk singing, whilst at other times, an acoustic guitar is added, guitar effects and for the chorus it just gets slightly heavier. 'Low Down', another fairly heavy track, with some superb riffs, another rocker and Zakks's vocals are slightly distorted. Stunning lead. The ninth track 'T.A.Z.', short acoustic guitar track played extremely fast. The following track is 'Lost My Better Half', take Black Sabbath, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and a pinch of the blues, shake the lot together and here we have Zakk's special blend of sonic brew for you to enjoy. 'Black Pearl', heavy riffs entwined with spacey atmospheric sounds with some stunning guitar work. The twelfth track is 'World Of Trouble', one of the heaviest tracks on the album, monster riffs, and vocals that are slightly distorted. There are some atmospheric sounds that are incorporated along the way, some heavy bass line and a breathtaking guitar solo. 'Spoke In The Wheel', is an acoustic blues track, simply bursting out with emotion. Full of that southern feel. Must have been inspired from the time Zakk spent with The Allman Brothers. The final track is 'The Beginning... At Last', well, and now it's back to the full head on rocking rhythms, thunderous riffs. A real headbanger! Whatever , your taste in metal is, there should be enough variety on this album for everyone, from monster riffs to the southern laid back blues, with even an occassional acoustic track thrown in for good measure. Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne fans will love it, or fans of stunning guitar work. Highly Recommended!!! Released by Spitfire Records. Spitfire Records Website : http://www.spitfirerecords.com Zakk Wylde Website : http://www.ZakkWylde.com Email : zakkmail@yahoo.com |
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Alcohol Fueled Brewtality: Live + 5 Black Label Society |
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Zakk and his sonic brew crew, live and red-eyed, at a venue near you! The former Ozzy guitarist who's made an emphatic "never say die" statement of his own since flying solo with his Black Label Society band now fresh from their "Penchant for Violence" tour with brothers-in-sludge Crowbar and Sixty Watt Shaman, take to the stage for this two-disc monster of pure Rock and public drunkenness. Since first pumping the riffs for such Ozzy heavyweights as "No More Tears" during the early '90s, Wylde's gone on for a successful solo career that began with the Southern-fried Pride & Glory and since grown into this out of control behemoth known as "Black Label Society" and two muscular albums, "Sonic Brew" and "Stronger than Death." Coming from an angle of Skynyrd meets Pantera, Wylde's style has epitomized the essence of true Rock and Roll-the attitude, the riffs, the anger, and plenty of booze… I mean Blues! Actually, there's probably plenty of each to go round but the fact is, Black Label Society is finally being recognized as a respectable band all its own and on its own merit, it's worthy of sharing the big stage on the upcoming Ozzfest for 2001. So this can be thought of as a prelude to that only here we're getting a lot more buzz for the buck! Rarely does a band still getting its feet wet go forth and do a live record-a two-disc set for that matter but such is the fast building reputation of the Wylde-man in an industry overwrought with loose-gripped, fast-talking pundits who wrinkle at the brow at the thought of peddling another "Metal" band out there! Never big on melody, BLS goes full bore in a muddy mix of bludgeoning Hard-Core riffs and pit-slamming grooves-"Lowdown," "Stronger Than Death," "Bored to Tears…" Could've gone with "Peddlers of Death" for a slight change of pace but guess you can't fault 'em for keeping the pressure up-then again there's disc two which features a five-tune mellowing out phase that includes a cover of Young's "Heart of Gold" and "Snowblind" by who else? "Alcohol Fueled Brewtality" right from the get go shows the band delivering a high-intensity Blues-crushing stomp, grind and groan that let's the spirits fly in equal parts Black Label, Black Sabbath and black and blue-note the last written in smaller case for obvious reasons! Released by Spitfire
Records. Review by Vinnie
Apicella [va85@columbia.edu] |
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Stronger Than Death BLACK LABEL SOCIETY ZAKK WYLDE |
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This disc is the soundtrack to a bar room brawl, if Zakk had his way it would start a few riots too. I can't imagine where this guy gets all of his fire but it has simply got to be something nefarious, the packaging even smells like sulfur! Whatever the cause, whatever the reason, this is the biggest bitch slap to wimp rock that has been forged of metal since BLACK SABBATH let loose "SABBATH BLOODY SABBATH." Each of the ten tracks included here is a fraternal brother to the tracks that can be found on the first BLACK LABEL SOCIETY disc. If there is any difference at all between the two it is in the level of intensity. I am guessing that this record came together far quicker that the band's debut so there was, probably, less time to get sentimental about the process and, in the end, the finished product has a sense of urgency to it that was not on the first. "All for You," "Phony Smiles, Fake Hellos" and "13 Years of Grief" open the meeting by throwing out the minutes from the last get together, pissing on them and then setting the whole pile on fire. Easy task for Wylde who sounds like he pisses Absolute! Then, as the flames burn themselves down we get, "Rust," a "Planet Caravan" styled dirge that leaves just enough time to go and get some more wood for the fire. "SUPERTERRORIZER" raises the room temperature by nearly bleeding the life out of every chord before it is resuscitated with a fist to the chest. "Counterfeit God" is the son of Zakk and Ozzy's "Miracle Man" and like it's father takes a shot at organized religion. It also has some of the hottest guitar lines that Wylde has ever turned out. There is an absolutely blistering solo that will likely leave a scorch mark on your speakers. "Stronger than Death" and "Just Killin' Time" signal that it is getting close to closing time and before anyone even thinks of exiting they had better be righteously hammered with the latter of the pair giving a second and final chance to catch your breath before the concluding remarks by the President of the Society. The 9th track on the disc is not titled on the sleeve of my promo-copy, maybe because the devil seems to pop up on a stump and barter for Zakk's soul? I don't know but it smokes. If the Japanese are going to get extra tracks as a matter of course then I shall consider this little error to be my bonus. After being battered and basted by the flaming hammers that Zakk keeps throwing he decides to end the disc in grand style with an eight minute ride through every emotion and texture imaginable on "Love Reign Down." If you have yet to join the Society then get up the dues and crack a few bottles with some friends and the sounds of "STRONGER THAN DEATH," fighting, fucking and fraternity forever brothers! Released by Spitfire Records. Review by David Lee |
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"1919 * Eternal" Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society |
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I think what began as an unsuspecting side-project for the multi-directional acclaimed guitar player that began as Ozzy's latest guitar recruit has spiraled out of control and led to unforeseen success. Personally, I couldn't conceive of Zakk Wylde's post Pride & Glory routine as being anything more than a one off that made a statement and little else-now I can't conceive of what the Metal scene would be without them. Each album, now reaching their fourth overall, is an intense workout of guitar God groove and straight ahead shred that belies and transcends the boundaries of "Nu-Metal" inasmuch as it contributes to it like few others. Where the term "Metal" is concerned, it's thrown around way too loosely than ever before, further obscuring the term's meaning and significance-but few could argue Zakk and his band embody it's spirit and strength of purpose more so than their peers. "1919 Eternal" is another fitting example of angst, outrage and tension relief wrenched at the neck of his six-string weapon of choice. Fourteen more purposeful reasons to believe in the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of pugilism. "Bleed For Me,"
and "Lords of Destruction," are a solid opening combination
with the former garnering lead single accolades, while "Demise
Of Sanity" and "Bridge to Cross" "Battering Ram" does just what the title indicates, storming the gates ready to ravage the enemy at first glance; "Genocide Junkies," "Mass Murder Machine," and "Berserkers" tear a gaping hole through complacency and decency in whatever form it employs by way of a dense shred that matches his pointed views and unrestrained vocal plods step by muddy step. Wylde's latest is again an
exercise in pure Rock and bad ass Blues pissing and moaning that flips
through another bruising and bloodletting chapter in consistency that
offers little Released by Spitfire Records. Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu] P.O. Box 20252
Another Review....
Tracklisting As one of the most recognisable faces in the world of Heavy Metal, Zakk Wylde has used his very public and possibly well paid day job as axe-to-hire in Ozzy's touring band to raise the profile of his warts and all heavy metal side project, Black Label Society. This being their second album, and a damn fine piece of work it is too! From the depths of their beer stained arseholes they've managed to put together one of the best albums I've heard in a while. We kick start this ride with the stomping 'Bleed For Me', an excellent head banger which sets off the two tracks that follow, 'Lords Of Destruction' & 'Demise Of Sanity' perfectly. We slow down slightly for 'Life, Birth, Blood, Doom' before slowing down ballad style for the outstanding 'Bridge To Cross' which just shows us that there is a softer side to the Wylde man! But soon all is forgotten as we tear into the aptly titled 'Battering Ram'. To quote an old advert, this track 'does exactly what it says on the tin'. It batters you and beats you before we have a brief rest with the track, 'Speedball'. 'Graveyard Disciples' starts us off again, much in the same vain as the start of the disc, a mid paced track laced with heavy riffs. 'Genocide Junkies' with it's feedback style intro then kicks into another mid paced thumper before they decide to slow us down once again with the track 'Lost Heaven'. 'Refuse To Bow Down', 'Mass Murder Machine' and ''Berserkers' are all pretty much of a muchness, but not of them will disappoint. Which leads me to the final track on this disc, his own rendition of 'America The Beautiful', which, I must admit is outstanding and shows us just how patriotic the man, is. A very fitting way to end an outstanding album. 1919 Eternal is neither conquering new landscapes or trading on past glories, what it does show everyone, one more god-damn time, is that Zakk Wylde is the epitome of Heavy Metal and a fucking excellent guitarist too! Released by Spitfire Records. Zakk Wylde Website: www.ZakkWylde.com Review by Chris Wheeler |