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Black Label Society
If you worshipped Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Randy Rhodes it would be a dream come true to be a guitarist in Ozzy's backing band. And it was for Zakk Wylde who joined Ozzy in '87 when he was only 19. Working on "No Rest For the Wicked", the multi-platinum "No More Tears" and "Ozzmosis," the New Jersey born Wylde also co-wrote several tracks.
The problem with working with one's idol is that by the time you hook up with them they have inevitably slowed down. The tours are less frequent, new albums a rarity and the idol has developed a side project or two (an MTV "reality series," rehab or rolling around on an ATV, to name but a few) that occupy a considerable chunk of time. So there is ample room to strike out on your own. After working on projects with Guns N' Roses, Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wylde recorded his solo debut "Pride & Joy" followed by "Book Of Shadows in '96. These efforts led to the formation of Black Label Society, a loose collection of musicians fronted by Wylde.
Black Label Society hit in '99 with "Sonic Brew." '00 saw the release of "Stronger Than Death." "1919 Eternal" was next." During this period Wylde pulled an interesting double duty during Ozzfest. He would open the show with Black Label Society, then close it in Ozzy's band. Nice way to pay the rent.
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"The Blessed Hellride," out in '03, featured "Stillborn," with Ozzy contributing vocals and the video directed by Rob Zombie, one of Wydle's close personal friends. The album turned into a major seller.
Recorded in Hollywood, "Hangover Music Vol. VI," released on Spitfire Records, had Wylde writing all the original material, singing lead vocals, playing guitar, bass and piano. But the April '04 release was not a one-man show. Drummers John Tempseta (White Zombie/Rob Zombie) and Craig Nunenmacher were onboard along with three bassists; James LoMenzo (who worked on the "Pride & Glory" LP and with David Lee Roth), John "JD" DeServio (Black Label Society) and Mike Inez (formerly of Alice In Chains).
Adding to his busy schedule Wylde contributed to Damageplan's debut album and played piano on Ozzy and daughter Kelly's UK chart-topping version of Black Sabbath's "Changes."
Recorded in Hollywood, "Hangover Music Vol. VI," released on Spitfire Records, had Wylde writing all the original material, singing lead vocals, playing guitar, bass and piano. But the April '04 release was not a one-man show. Drummers John Tempseta (White Zombie/Rob Zombie) and Craig Nunenmacher were onboard along with three bassists; James LoMenzo (who worked on the "Pride & Glory" LP and with David Lee Roth), John "JD" DeServio (Black Label Society) and Mike Inez (formerly of Alice In Chains).
With titles like "Suicide Messiah," "Death March," "Too Tough To Die" and "Dirt On The Grave" it's not hard to figure out where Wylde and Black Label Society were coming from on '05 release "Mafia." This is a dark, riff laden effort. Perfect.
Seen, at least by critics, as "more of the same," "Shot To Hell" landed in '06. The compilation "Skullage" was out three years later. Around that time, there was some question as to whether Wylde was still in Ozzy's band. Ozzy claimed that Wylde's schedule precluded him from going on Ozzy's tour.
With the Ozzy issue still hanging, Black Label Society hit the road on their '09 Pedal To The Metal tour. But Wylde was hospitalized in Eugene, OR, suffering from blood clots in both lungs and one leg. The illness forced Black Label Society to cancel the remaining dates on the trek. "[I] can't sing because pushing can cause an embolism," wrote Wylde on his Twitter page. Tour partners Mudvayne and Static-X pressed on.
After rumors, speculation, public statements and counter-statements, Ozzy officially announced that he and Wylde had parted company - but still remained on good terms. "I haven't fallen out with Zakk," Osbourne told Artisan News Service. "Our relationship goes way beyond music." Ozzy concluded by saying, "He's got his own thing now, he's got his own band, he's got his own career. . . he don't need me anymore."
Black Label Society issued their eighth album in '10, "Order Of The Black." And as usual there was a line-up change. Drummer Will Hunt from Evanescence replaced Craig "Louisiana Lightning" Nunenmacher who left the band the previous February.
Wylde was a major Led Zeppelin fan so it was hardly surprising the band's unplugged effort was titled "The Song Remains Not The Same," an obvious play on Zeppelin's live album and movie, The Song Remains The Same. There were acoustic versions of songs from "Order Of The Black" plus covers of Black Sabbath ("Junior's Eyes"), Blind Faith ("Can't Find My Way Home") and even Simon & Garfunkel ("Bridge Over Troubled Water").
Off the road and out of the studio, Wylde was the honoree at Guitar World's Rock and Roll Roast in '12. Corey Taylor (Slipknot/Stone Sour), Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses/Velvet Revolver/Loaded) and Scott Ian (Anthrax) attended. "We've all known each other for a while, we all love each other," Taylor told Rolling Stone magazine. "So let's just rip the crap out of each other." Wylde responded saying, "How can they roast me? I'm a good Catholic boy." Sharon Osbourne was the roastmaster though Ozzy was absent - off recording with Black Sabbath.
Albums:
1999 Sonic Brew
2000 Stronger Than Death
2002 1919 Eternal
2003 The Blessed Hellride
2004 Hangover Music Vol. VI
2005 Mafia
2006 Shot To Hell
2010 Order Of The Black
2011 The Song Remains Not The Same
Live Album:
2001 Alcohol Fueled Brewtality Live!! +5
You can't argue with Zakk Wylde's work ethic or his reputation as one of Metal's premier forces. As Ozzy's guitarist, a guest on numerous projects, solo performer and guiding force of Black Label Society, Wylde has a full plate. On his own, Wylde was among the first to toss Southern Rock elements into Metal and make it work. But it's his masterful thrash and burn style that built his legend. He possesses the standard issue leather lungs required for Hardcore Metal along with the doom and destruction guitar. While he prides himself on trying a different tact with each album all songs clearly come from the same source. "The Blessed Hellride" stands as Black Label Society's premier effort. "Stillborn" leads the way as one of the group's more accessible tracks - thanks Ozzy. "Stoned & Drunk," the inescapably titled "Doomsday Jesus" and "Final Solution" have a tough veneer and a banger's drive. Even the down tempo title track is compelling as it agitates away.
Hangovers are brutal. Your stomach is churning like some demented joker tossed acid, charcoal and road kill into a cement mixer. But that's nothing. Your head feels swollen to twice its size and every muscle from your neck up seems tight and sore. This is all topped by temples throbbing like they are wired to the dull but incessant beat of a dance record. A person suffering from a hangover needs to be left alone. No one around to remind you of the previous night's behavior or to suggest that perhaps moderation might be the best course next time. Ah, but the hangover sufferer swears there will never be a next time. But of course there is, maybe even later that day. If there is any inclination to listen to music, and there usually isn't, the tunes tend to be low key and mellow. That's the operating philosophy behind "Hangover Music Vol. VI."
The set starts out on a positive note with "Crazy Or High" before slowing down with mournful, distraught ballads like "Queen Of Sorrow," "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" and "Layne" (referencing the late Alice In Chains' vocalist). There is even a cover of Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade Of Pale." The original's dreamy vocals reciting disjointed, hallucinogenic lyrics with a heavy organ underpinning gave the song some measure of credibility. Here, Wylde belts it out with a piano backing like some wounded after-hours lounge animal.
Fans have pretty much given Wylde a free ride with this one. "He's so awesome he should be able to do what he wants." They may be right. This set is likely to be played when the listener is feeling all the pain that was absent the night before. But on the road to excess listen to "The Blessed Hellride" (or any other Wylde or B.L.S. album for that matter) so you'll have some good, if blurred memories, as you recuperate with "Hangover Music Vol. VI."
A more "sober" approach is evident on "Mafia." There's a guitar workout on "Dr. Octavia," the voice box driven "Fire It Up" and the theatrical "Too Tough To Die." "Electric Hellfire" and "Say What You Will" are pure, blistering shots.
The surprises are the ballads. For most Metal groups the slower songs are throwaways. Not here. "In This River" has Wylde channeling Bob Seger while "Dirt On The Grave" has emotive lyrics fronting a moving melody.
"Shot To Hell" breaks no new ground. The voice box, killer riffs, dark lyrics and even the ballads are all there. But with "Give Yourself To Me" and the cut loose Rocker "Hell Is High, "Shot To Hell" is impressive on its own terms. Of the slower tracks the arena ready "Sick Of It All" is the best. Still, they are easy to overlook when there's the uptempo "Black Mass Reverends," "Blacked Out World" and "Devil's Dime."
The first three tracks on "Order Of The Black" ("Crazy Horse," "Overlord" and "Parade Of The Dead") will cause headbangers to reach for their neck braces. Wydle and company; Nick Catanese (rhythm guitar), John DeServio (bass) and Hunt (drums), are in stellar form.
Obviously, Ozzy and Wylde are inexorably linked. Earlier in the year, Ozzy released his first Wylde-free album in over a decade. "Scream" was good, especially in light of the ravages of time/drugs. But those first three songs, and others, from "Honor Of The Black" show what it could have been.
The usual ballads, which are generally pretty good, are on "Order Of The Black" as well as the Spanish guitar work out "Chupacabra." But Black Label Society blow the doors off with "Black Sunday," "Southern Dissolution" and "Riders Be Damned," in addition to the tracks listed above.
Does the world need another unplugged set? The short answer is 'no." At least "The Song Remains Not The Same" delivers credible takes of Steve Winwood's (Blind Faith) "Can't Find My Way Home" and "Darkest Days."