Zakk Wylde and the Black Label Society - 1919* Eternal
One of the finest axeman of our generation, whether at Ozzy Osbourne’s side or with his own project Black Label Society, fretmeister general Zakk Wylde is certainly setting his stall out. Indeed, his latest and third BLS studio opus 1919* Eternal comes less than six months after his recent BLS live release,Alcohol Fuelled Brewtality- Live+5 and Ozzy’s superb album newie Down To Earth.
Piling on the metal calories with a full fourteen tracks, Wylde has really delivered here. From the thrashy versed, melodically chorused album opener Bleed For Me to the granite slam of Life/Birth/Blood/Doom, the silky blues of epic ballad Bridge To Cross or the angelically refined My Lost Heaven, these are rock tunes of the highest prestige. The Sabbath-esque Mass Murder Machine and the anarchic lyrics of Berserkers (Drinking, puking, p**ing and fighting) - a BLS social ethic as much as a student one - are instant musical loves, while Speedball sees Wylde rocketing across the frets - arpeggio’s, two handed tapping et al - on a mere acoustic. Sticking with good tradition, a Zakk tune without a solo is a rare as a nu-metal band playing a number with one, and they’re all archtypically Wylde - whatever his fingers are on, you’re going to want some. A classic offering.
Verdict - @@@@@
Andy Law
One of the finest axeman of our generation, whether at Ozzy Osbourne’s side or with his own project Black Label Society, fretmeister general Zakk Wylde is certainly setting his stall out. Indeed, his latest and third BLS studio opus 1919* Eternal comes less than six months after his recent BLS live release,Alcohol Fuelled Brewtality- Live+5 and Ozzy’s superb album newie Down To Earth.
Piling on the metal calories with a full fourteen tracks, Wylde has really delivered here. From the thrashy versed, melodically chorused album opener Bleed For Me to the granite slam of Life/Birth/Blood/Doom, the silky blues of epic ballad Bridge To Cross or the angelically refined My Lost Heaven, these are rock tunes of the highest prestige. The Sabbath-esque Mass Murder Machine and the anarchic lyrics of Berserkers (Drinking, puking, p**ing and fighting) - a BLS social ethic as much as a student one - are instant musical loves, while Speedball sees Wylde rocketing across the frets - arpeggio’s, two handed tapping et al - on a mere acoustic. Sticking with good tradition, a Zakk tune without a solo is a rare as a nu-metal band playing a number with one, and they’re all archtypically Wylde - whatever his fingers are on, you’re going to want some. A classic offering.
Verdict - @@@@@
Andy Law
