Black
Label Society
Kings of Damnation
Spitfire Records, October 2005
Offensive words: 13+
Genre: metal, dark southern influence
Also check out GS Megaphone.
Zakk Wylde is among a rare breed of guitar heroes, an iconic role that, by the time of the release in 2004, had all but disappeared from hard rock. Not simply content with sideman status (as a veteran of the Ozzy Osbourne band at the young age of 19), Wylde uses Black Label Society to channel his songwriting and his voice into a persona akin to a demonically possessed Bob Seger. For this volume of raunchy, Southern-tinged, blues-based hard rock, the approach is scaled back from his usual unforgiving style. You know Zakk Wylde also as the lead guitar in "STEEL DRAGONS!!" If you have to ask, never mind.
Music
Of course I was familiar with Zakk Wylde but I honestly didn't know
what to expect when getting this disc. What I got was the greatest
music picked by this band. From 1998-present, this album is the
essential Black Label Society music. From the unique incorporation to a
banjo in "Loosing Your Mind" to pure metal influence in
"Doomsday Inc.", this album is pure hard rock and I don't mean
like that Creed junk. This has heart and soul with a dark southern
and grit that makes your fingernails dirty from listening. "Horse
Called War" continues to pull in that pure rock and metal sound with
incredible guitar and extreme bass lines that pound your ears. BLS also
does amazing soulful ballads like "Between Heaven and Hell"
which shows a cross between Hootie and the Blowfish and the Blues
Travelers. Yeah, I know that sounds like such a drastic change, but
that is what makes BLS such an influence to many artists around. Songs like
"Bleed For Me" show a true metal drive with Ozzy similarities
that are unmistakable. Thrashing guitars and hard pounding drums
drive it in. Also thrown onto this cd are is some of the most incredible
and talented acoustic guitar work you will ever hear on "TAZ",
"Speedball", and "Takillya." Wylde has some of tha
fastest fingers you will ever hear and it shows on every
track.
Lyrically/Vocally
With the type of content and offensive language I am not sure how the
album does not have a parental warning sticker, but anyway, it doesn't.
Overall, the album has a lot of dark overtones. A few songs do a fair job
of showing a light to the world of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll on
"Loosing Your Mind" and "Bored to Tears". The album
doesn't give you a positive smile or chuckle, since they probably wouldn't
gel well with their fans haha. The band also shows their support for
American troops. The album also takes a shot at Christians and challenges
them on asking where they are when they are really needed. There is
also a confusing track, "Counterfeit God, which says "Hand over
your will and then you'll sin/now get on your knees and worship me."
The song caused me some confusion on the bands concept of faith.
Overall, the band has an aggressive approach to life and that is why so many fans love this band. For me as a Christian, I wasn't left feeling good about listening to it much more. But musically, I have to give these guys credit where it is due.