Zakk Wylde battles the Overlord

I don't think I can even begin to explain/analyze this video tonight, so just watch it on your own below.

CD Review: Black Label Society's "Order of the Black" is a solid stomper

After checking out blabbermouth.net today (as I always do shortly after waking up), I noticed Black Label Society is streaming its new album, Order of the Black on AOL Music.

Part of me wanted to wait until tomorrow to check out the CD, but my curiosity got the best of me (although I mainly just skimmed the songs with a few exceptions, because I'd rather give it a full listen after picking up a copy).

So, while this is not meant to be a full review, here is my take so far.

Order of the Black is not another "classic BLS" sounding album like Sonic Brew or Stronger Than Death. It also isn't as amazing as 2002's 1919 Eternal.

However, soundwise, it is on par with The Blessed Hellride with elements of Wylde and Co.'s older and newer outputs intermixed. There's plenty of metal stompers this time around ("Crazy Horse," "Parade of the Dead," "Black Sunday," "Godspeed Hellbound," etc.), so those fans who miss the "take no prisoners" style of BLS brewtality, should be satisfied.

There are also plenty of southern-tinged ballads, which seem pretty hit-or-miss, but none are terrible (and "Darkest Days," is actually pretty damn good). There is even an acoustic instrumental entitled "Chupacabra", which is another one of Wylde's homages to Eddie Van Halen's "Spanish Fly" (think "Speedball," off 1919 Eternal).

Order of the Black feels like the album that should have came after 2003's The Blessed Hellride and fits well into the band's catalog of music.

Most impressively, Wylde has shown that a true musician doesn't need to use performance enhancers (in the form of booze or drugs) to create great art. All you need is practice, songwriting ability, and some personality to make a truly brutal album.

Children of Bodom set to record new album, perform on Black Label Berserkus Tour in Des Moines

Children of Bodom has been very 'hit or miss' lately.

Blooddrunk had a few solid songs, like "Hellhounds on my Trail" and the title track, "Blooddrunk", Are You Dead Yet was a little stale, and I won't even get started on the covers album.

The last really great album the group put out was 2003's Hate Crew Deathroll (which is what took the band slightly away from the neoclassical style to all-out-heavy music).

Now, word is the band is preparing to record its next full-length album. If the band can somehow channel the energy and technicality found on the older discs (including my personal favorite, Follow the Reaper, and combine that with the heaviness of Hate Crew, then maybe Alexi Laiho and co. can finally get the respect they all deserve, while making us longtime fans happy.

However, it's not Bodom's job to impress us, so I guess we will just have to wait and see. In the mean time, Children of Bodom will be hitting the road and playing a show in Des Moines, Iowa, along with Black Label Society (whose newest album hits stores on August 10).

It should be interesting to see Zakk Wylde perform sober and Children of Bodom break out some new tracks.

Concert info is below:

Black Label Berserkus Tour
Featuring Black Label Society, Children of Bodom and Clutch.
7 Flags Event Center, Clive, IA
Fri, Oct 1, 2010 7:00 PM

Saturday Night Guitar Noodling with Zakk Wylde

By way of special request from metalhead Chris, I am posting this video, which hopefully is what he was looking for.

Chris comments:

"Wow! Been a ZW fan for ever. I just watched the 8 minute solo with Zakk using the Dimebagg Razor he made for Zakk and at about 7 minute into it, he's using the tremolo and the low E string to make some wild metal guitar noises.

When he bends the E string, I swear it is moving by itself! I can't tell how he's doing it, but it's pretty wicked! Watch that one, and watch the closeup on the strings at 7 minutes for about 30 seconds or more and watch the low E string bend itself!"

That was so enthusiastic, I had to check out the solo and it is pretty badass. Plus it's fitting since two posts ago I mentioned the anniversary of Dimebagg's passing.

Enjoy.

The Softer Side of Zakk Wylde - "Sold My Soul"

There was once a time when Zakk Wylde was not a booze-slamming, beard-growing, biker dude that always talked about drinking and banging in interviews.

Yes, Wylde once had a very sensitive side, which is showcased on the brilliant Book of Shadows album. Especially on one of my favorite acoustic tracks ever recorded, called "Sold My Soul".

Even if you don't like the Wylde of today, this song and video prove why he is revered as a guitar God. And he actually has a mean set of pipes (or at least had) - the vocal performance on this song is haunting.



"Sold My Soul"



Also check out a young Wylde rockin' the solo to the same song:

Zakk Wylde to cover Suicide Note Pt. 1

This is kind of old news, but cool nonetheless. Guitarist Zakk Wylde will be covering "Suicide Note Pt. 1" off Pantera's underrated album The Great Southern Trendkill.

I think the song will fit Zakk's style well and seeing as Wylde had a near death experience himself (although not from heroin), maybe it will add some personal emotion in the song.

Here is the current list of bands that are recording cover songs for the Metal Hammer tribute album (for the 5th anniversary of Dimebagg's tragic onstage death).

* MACHINE HEAD - "Fucking Hostile"
* CHIMAIRA - "Slaughtered"
* EVILE - "Cemetery Gates"
* THROWDOWN - [to be announced]
* ZAKK WYLDE - "Suicide Note Pt. 1"



Check out this cool "demasked" intro version I found:

Black Label Society Back in Action

It looks like Zakk Wylde is recovering from the rare blood clotting disorder, which put him into the hospital a little while back.

Black Label Society will be in the studio around January/February, recording music for a new CD due out in Spring 2010.

Good to see Zakk is alive and kicking. Strength Determination Merciless Forever!

Zakk Wylde's Hellfire Halloween Bash

While he hasn't made a truly great album with Black Label Society since The Blessed Hellride, it is good to hear that Zakk Wylde is recovering from having blood clots and performing with a new Epiphone axe called the "Graveyard Disciple".

Apparently Wylde's Halloween Bash is a free event put on by Hard Rock Cafe New York on Halloween. Should be a cool time for anyone in the New York area.

Looks like the coffin guitar would be difficult as fuck to play sitting down, but should be cool when performing.

I was going to put up the studio version of this song off 1919 Eternal, but the riff from this live version just kills and the lyrics are emotional, even if Wylde isn't the greatest live singer.

Get Well Brother!

If you haven't heard, Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society guitarist Zakk Wylde was admitted to the hospital a few days back for blood clots. Apparently the shit got into his lungs and singing could cause an embolism, which is NOT good.

People die from this stuff all the time. So here's wishing Wylde a safe recovery from The Metal Show.

I think some old school BLS is in order. 13 Years of Grief and Stronger Than Death sound good to me! Nothing beats old school BLS.

Heavy Metal Rumor Mill: Ozzy Osbourne to replace Zakk Wylde???

According to an interview with Classic Rock magazine, Ozzy Osbourne is considering finding a new guitarist to replace Zakk Wylde on the next album/tour.

The craziest part of the new? Zakk Wylde knows nothing about this decision.

Either Ozzy was just foolin' around and this is some kind of album publicity stunt or Zakk Wylde is going to be one pissed off motorcycle-ridin', guitar-squealin', SDMF'er!

Who knows? Maybe it will motivate Wylde to write some rippin' new BLS tunes, because the last few albums have felt uninspired.