Black Label Society – Order of the Black
E1 Music
www.blacklablesociety.com
Rating: A-
When Zakk Wylde was told he was out of Ozzy’s band, he didn’t
take it well. The big man was pissed. If
Order of the Black is
any indication, though, being able to solely concentrate on
Black Label Society has turned out to be a good thing. By not
splitting his time, effort and creativity with Ozzy, Zakk has,
plain and simply, released the best album BLS has ever recorded.
The album debuted at #4 on The Billboard Album Charts and is
likely to see continued sales and success. Zakk plays like a
madman on “Crazy Horse.” I once pondered a drinking game where
everyone takes a shot whenever Zakk hits his patented squeal on
his bull’s-eye Gibson Les Paul but I relented when I thought of
the huge number of alcohol poisoning cases this would bestow
upon the Metal community.
Speaking of loud guitars, the solos on the album are the
loudest, fastest, rudest and most powerful that Wylde has ever
produced. “Riders of the Damned” and “Black Sunday” are so
wicked powerful that one feels emotionally drained after
listening to them. There are softer songs as well. As strong as
he rocks, Zakk also has an introspective side to him that is
both reflective and somewhat morose. The softer tunes,
“January,” “Time Waits For No One” and “Darkest Days” provide a
nice break from the overpowering brutality on the rest of
Order
of the Black. The best ballad, musically, emotionally and
lyrically is “Shallow Grave.” One feels the eeriness Wylde
experiences when performing this tune.
At the end of the day, Black Label Society is playing with the
angst and fervor of a band half their age. They are gaining
popularity with each release and are now poised to their place
alongside Ozzy, Sabbath, Pantera, Metallica and Judas Priest in
the Hall of Metal.
By Jeb Wright
