I've been a fan of Zakk Wylde's guitar playing ever since he first joined up with OZZY OSBOURNE in 1987, so whenever he releases new material with Ozzy, or with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, I can't wait to get my grubby mitts on it to check it out. Christ, the guy grew up in East Coast toothless-redneck central...Jackson, New Jersey. If ever there was a tale of an alcoholic metalhead-done-good, it's Zakk's.
The Blessed Hellride, Zakk's latest offering with Black Label Society features some of the best writing and playing that the grizzled, beer-swilling hillbilly has done to date. The disc kicks off with "Stoned And Drunk", which is pretty much a call to arms for any leather-vested, long-haired BLS fan. "Doomsday Jesus" is another chunky tune in the same vein, with Zakk's growling voice and signature pick harmonics strewn throughout the song. "Funeral Bell" sticks to the low-E-string-chugging BLS formula as well.
"Stillborn", the first single off the disc, features a vocal duet with Ozzy Osbourne. It's one of the strongest tracks on the disc, and even sounds like it was written specifically for Ozzy to sing on. Having said that, a few other tracks on the disc sound suspiciously like they may have been written for an Ozzy Osbourne disc, and just didn't make the cut. One listen to "We Live No More", and you'd swear Ozzy was singing it. Zakk's vocal chops have definitely improved, but he sounds like he's mimicking Osbourne vocally on this track. The same holds true for "Suffering Overdue" and "Final Solution". I'm not saying they WERE written with Ozzy in mind, but when you hear them, it's not hard to draw that conclusion. One thing that I love, is when he drops in metal-clanking over the snare drum in "Final Solution". He's done it a few times on previous discs, and I'm just tickled by it...probably because it brings to mind someone getting smashed in the teeth with a shovel.
Just so you don't think it's all crunch, the disc features some very mellow moments. The piano in "Dead Meadow" brings to mind a PINK FLOYD vibe, and Zakk's fondness of southern rock pokes through in "The Blessed Hellride"; one of the prettiest songs the guy has ever written. "Blackened Waters" starts off smooth, and then once the chorus hits, kicks a hole in your head...as is the tendency in a lot of Black Label Society songs.
"Stillborn" will do well for BLS, partially due to Ozzy's appearance on the song (and the fact that Rob Zombie's directing the video for it), and while the disc may not be a multi-million seller (at least not in the U.S.), The Blessed Hellride is one of the finest collections of songs Zakk and co. have written.
